“THE DISCIPLES WERE FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS IN ANTIOCH.”
ACTS 11:26 NAS
New Testament Christianity (2)
The New Testament Christians dedicated themselves to one thing only — making Jesus Lord of their lives and establishing His rule wherever they went. Listen: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship and to sharing meals (including the Lord’s supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshipped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47 Para).
Did it cost them? Yes: “The high priest and his officials.. were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in public jail. . . then they brought the apostles before the high counsel, where the high priest confronted them. . .but Peter and the apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority’. . .They [the high counsel] called in the apostles and had them flogged. Thea they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the high counsel rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:17-18: 21, 29, 40-42 Para). That’s what it means to be a New Testament Christian.
