By: Elder Allen Daniels

1) “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.” Acts 11:26

2) “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Acts 26:28

3) “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” 1 Peter 4:16

CHRISTIAN appears in the Bible only in the above three verses. At the time of these writings, CHRISTIAN was used contemptuously, and most likely was not applied by the early disciples to themselves, but was imposed upon them by their detractors.

Consider the experience of the apostle Paul who was brought before the Roman court for preaching the gospel, that is, he was one of those CHRISTIANS. He was charged by the Jews as being a pestilent fellow and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, who also had profaned their temple. Acts 24:4-6.

Paul, speaking to the governor Felix, said “I confess unto thee, that after the way which they [the Jews] call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets [in the same manner as my accusers]. See Acts 24:12-21.

Paul, shuffled from one court to another, told of his conversion from being a blasphemer, a persecutor and an injurious person to being the willing servant of the One he once persecuted; turning away from the things he once loved unto the things he once hated, and things which were once gain he counted as loss for Christ. Before one ruler after another, he recited the same doctrine concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, confirming and affirming the Christ prophesized by the teachings and traditions of the very Jews who were his accusers.

Acts 11:26 says that the disciples were called Christians. Since DISCIPLE means a learner or pupil, we conclude that being CHRISTIAN is to be a student and follower of the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Acts 26:28, we find Paul in Caesarea having been in prison for approximately two years and again pleading his case before King Agrippa II. Agrippa enjoyed great influence among both the Romans and the Jews, as he was over all the Temple officers, and had authority to appoint the high priest.

Paul began his defense before Agrippa by saying, “I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews. I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” Acts 26:2-8

Paul then gave testimony again of his conversion, telling how he had seen at midday a light above the brightness of the sun, shining round about him and the voice of the risen Christ speaking unto him in the Hebrew tongue and when Paul inquired about his identity, he was told, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”  Acts 26:15

Summing up his defense, Paul said, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles”  Of course, we all know Agrippa’s response to Paul’s testimony, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a CHRISTIAN.” See Acts 26:22-28

Did Agrippa mean that he was almost persuaded to be born again, as many today assert?  No. Agrippa’s belief in the writings of the Old Testament prophets and his positive response to Paul’s testimony, I believe, give evidence that Agrippa was a regenerate child of God. Even so, there is no Scriptural record that Agrippa ever became a Christian; nevertheless, Paul’s preaching struck the heart of Agrippa, penetrating to the very depths of his soul, causing him to terminate the proceedings.

I believe this to be a true statement: not all children of God are Christians, but all Christians are children of God. Sometimes we hear the phrase, “that person is a born again Christian.” Or sometimes we are asked or hear others ask, “Are you a Christian?” My reaction is, “Can a person be a Christian and not be born again?” Or, “Is there any such thing as an unregenerate Christian?” How can a person be a true follower of Christ and not be born again?  “Becoming a Christian” does not make you a child of God, but it manifests that you are.  A person cannot be a true Christian without following the doctrine and teachings of Christ; therefore, in order for Agrippa to have become a Christian, he would have had to abdicate his kingship, cease following Rome and follow Christ. Also, he would have had to be willing to be persecuted along with the Christians of his day.

Yes, Agrippa was almost persuaded to be a Christian, and Paul responded, “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.”

The last Biblical reference to the word Christian was written by Peter, who gave his life for the cause of Christ. He wrote, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” 1 Peter 4:15-16.

During New Testament times it meant something to be called a Christian, as it was not just a name worn on a shirt or on a car bumper, but to bear that appellation meant to subject oneself to the vilest of persecutions and sufferings, and many times, death. Nero put Christians on poles, poured oil on them and set them afire to light his garden. Jewish history tells us that Paul was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero and that Peter was crucified upside-down in Rome during Nero’s reign.

Every disciple of Christ should prayerfully seek the Lord’s grace in striving day by day to be more faithful Christians by learning and following His teachings, that we may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom we shine as lights in the world; therefore, may we let our lights so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.  See Philippians 2:15 and Matthew 5:16

Published: 2011-02-27 by WAD

By: Elder Allen Daniels

As the end of another year comes to a close, we may have a tendency to dwell on the past rather than look ahead to the future.  In some ways, this time of year for many is filled with melancholy. The big build up of the Christmas season has passed and perhaps we are faced with a lot of extra bills, or perhaps we are looking back on the previous year with regret for our lack of accomplishments; for one reason or another we are sad.

How do we escape this sadness?  The answer lies not in “things,” but in a person whose name is Wonderful, Emanuel, Savior, Jesus Christ.  We must not let our minds dwell upon the things that might have been if we had only done this or that, but turning our eyes away from self we must look upward to our Lord.

As we come to the close of another year, we come to the end of our yearly Bible reading schedule, but before starting over with Genesis (the book of beginnings), let us look at what the Lord says at the end of the Old Testament.  Time and space will not permit a discussion of all that could be written here, but I commend to your reading the last two books, Zechariah and Malachi.  The inspired words of these two prophets of God not only give us a glimpse of our past failures and sins, but also give us a view of the mercy, kindness, love and forgiveness of our Gracious Lord, renewing hope for future days.

The time of the writings of Zechariah and Malachi is not agreed upon by all, but most theologians agree that the prophecies were delivered to the remnant of Jews returning from the Babylonian captivity.  The design of the books was to stir them up to rebuild the temple and restore the pure worship of God, encouraging their faith and hope in the expectation of the coming Messiah.  The time of Zechariah seems to be at the beginning of their return and Malachi after it, when the temple was rebuilt and the worship of God restored and settled.  Both books consist of various visions and prophecies relating to the first advent of Christ and the establishment of the New Testament Church.

For the purpose of this writing, I direct your attention to the 8^th Chapter of Zechariah.  As we consider these beautiful and encouraging words to those despondent Jews, I pray that we also may be blessed to renew our strength and commitment to be more diligent in our service to the Lord in the coming New Year of 2011.

As we read this passage notice the phrase, “Thus saith the LORD”.  The prophet wants us to know WHO is speaking:

Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.  Zechariah 8: 3-8

Remember, these people had been seventy years in bondage and captivity in Babylon.  They had seen their families and friends killed, the temple of God destroyed, and the walls of the city thrown down.   Their beloved Jerusalem was in ruins and ashes.  Oh! How wonderful these promises must have sounded in their ears!  “Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth.”

My dear readers, in the midst of such perilous times when it seems that the world is getting more wicked by the day and the leaders of our beloved America have caused our nation to be a disgrace in the eyes of the world, is there still hope for us?  Can we also claim these encouraging words of Zechariah?  I tell you, YES!!  The promises are ours!  Insert your name into the blank of this statement:  “I will bring _____ , and he/she shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem [the kingdom of God]: and he/she shall be my child, and I will be his/her God, in truth and in righteousness.”

As we read a little more in this chapter, consider our bad economy and the high unemployment rate, then think of how bad it must have been back then.

 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.  For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbor.  Zechariah 8:9-10,

Did these people have reason to be discouraged?  I am sure that they were convinced that the Lord had forsaken them and they were doomed forever, but listen to the rest of the story.

But now, I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts. For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.  Zechariah 8:11-13

Is there hope for the Lord’s church in our perilous times?  Can we experience revival?  The Word of God says, yes.

Therefore, as we begin a new decade, let each of us resolve to obey the words of our Lord as spoken to us by Zechariah, “These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.”

We harbor no allusion that all the world will obey these words, but we who love the Lord can pledge to do so, and the world in which we live (our neighborhood, our workplace, our church, our home) will become a better place in the coming months!

Published: 2011-01-02 by WAD

By: Elder Allen Daniels

Paul’s style of writing in all of his epistles was to first set forth our position in Christ by teaching us about our eternal salvation and redemption in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, followed by exhortation and encouragement unto discipleship. The book of Ephesians follows this pattern. The first three chapters tell of our election in Christ before the foundation of the world; our regeneration (quickening) and salvation by God’s Grace; the revelation of the “mystery of Christ”, that the Jews and Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body; that Jesus came and brought peace through His perfect obedience unto the law and purchased our redemption by the shedding of His precious blood, through which we received the forgiveness (putting away) of all our sins.

In Ephesians 4:1, he begins his instruction in righteousness, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called”. He continues this teaching through the end of Chapter Six, which brings us the conclusion of his teachings to the Church at Ephesus.

In the words of Solomon (Ecc 12:13), “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter”, Paul writes, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13.

First let us notice that Paul puts emphasis on the word “whole”. He did not tell us to put on one piece of the armor today, another tomorrow, and another on Sunday, but we are to wear it ALL everyday. The analogy Paul used in this passage is that of a solider preparing himself for battle. As the number seven in Scriptures is that of completeness, so there are seven pieces.

These pieces are set forth in Ephesians 6:14-18:

1. your loins girt about with truth
2. the breastplate of righteousness
3. your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
4. the shield of faith
5. the helmet of salvation
6. the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
7. praying always

It is immediately evident that this is not a natural armor fitted for a natural battle against a natural enemy; nevertheless, the battle is real and the enemy is genuine. Paul describes the weapons in this warfare in 2^nd Corinthians 10:3-6, ^“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

The first thing that a soldier must learn prior to entering a battle is “know your enemy”. The Apostle in the above verses and our lesson in Ephesians 6 identifies our enemy; “For we wrestle … against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”; therefore, he says “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

The word wiles in this verse is a word seldom used today, but its meaning gives a vivid description of our enemy, the devil. The Oxford Universal Dictionary defines wile as “A crafty, cunning, or deceitful trick; a subtle contrivance; a skilful device or scheme.” The devil is not just a figment of our imagination, but he is a REAL enemy and his devices (wiles) are many.

This armor is given unto us by God, but it is our responsibility to put it on; not just in part but in the whole. When we leave off a piece, we leave that part of our body unprotected and become vulnerable to the devil in that area.

We are instructed to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might (v10). We must recognize that we can not win this battle in our own strength. This was the lesson God taught the nation of Israel when David went up against a 10 foot tall giant Philistine named Goliath. Prior to going into this battle he said to Goliath “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands. (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

The preceding verses of this chapter go into great detail of the massiveness of the Philistine’s armor, but David went forth armed with the strength of the Lord, and in the power of his might, and the enemy of God was defeated.

Sometimes we hear sermons on the armor of God and often the last piece is forgotten, but Paul ends this lesson with, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:18.

This is the only place in the Bible where “perseverance” appears and it is connected to prayer. It means to have persistence and continuance in any thing undertaken. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. 1^st Thess 5:17-18. The first six pieces of the armor of God are defensive but this last one is offensive.

The apostle James writes, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. One of the best ways to win a battle against the devil is to go to the Lord in prayer.

Therefore, dear readers, Let us Put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand against the cunning and deceitful tricks of the devil.

Published: 2010-10-24 by WAD