Wisdom's Corner
Take a Name

When a person has done what is necessary to qualify to play for a professional sports team, that person will be hired by that team. The person would become a member of that team. The person would want to be called by the name of the team. The person would take honor in being called by that name. Any time he participated in the sport, he would know he was representing his team.

When a person travels from his home country to another country he must get a passport. This paper of identification allows the person to travel from his country to other countries. While in other countries he will be identified by his passport as a member of his home country. He will take honor in being known by his home country. He will believe he is representing his home country in any activity he performs.

In Acts 11:25-26 we read, "Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

Some people have tried to say that the name Christian was given to followers of Christ as a bad name. It is thought that others were trying to make fun of them or make them feel bad by being called this name.

But the greek term used for "were called" was used by the greeks for the name someone used in ordinary life or the name by which a person wanted to be called. It was used to describe the name by which a person conducted their daily business.

God wanted the followers of Christ to use this name. In Isaiah 62:2 we read, "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name." God said this name would be an everlasting name (Isaiah 56:5).

Everyone should want to be a citizen of God's kingdom. Everyone should want to qualify to be called a Christian. It is a name to have with honor. It is a much better name than a professional sport team name. It is a name much better than any country's name.

Study your Bible. Learn what you must do to be able to wear that name. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 1999

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)