Often Misunderstood Terms

1. Often Misunderstood Terms • Virgin, Christian, Flesh

2. Often Misunderstood Terms • Virgin, Christian, Flesh

3. Often Misunderstood Terms In order to understand any passage of scripture we must understand the terms being used in the passage Often the context provides more insight to meaning than a dictionary

4. “the Disciples were first called Christians” 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.Acts 11:26 (NASB95)

5. “the Disciples were first called Christians” The Argument God or Pagans The term “Christian” was a derisive term coined by the pagans in Antioch

6. “the Disciples were first called Christians” The Argument God or Pagans “The name was evidently given to the followers of Christ by the Gentiles to distinguish them from the Jews since they were Greeks, not Grecian Jews. The Jews would not call them Christians because of their own use of Χριστος [Christos] the Messiah. The Jews termed them Galileans or Nazarenes. The followers of Christ called themselves disciples (learners), believers, brethren, saints, those of the Way.”(A.T. Robertson)

7. “the Disciples were first called Christians” The Argument “The name was probably not assumed by the disciples themselves; for they were in the habit of styling each other believers, disciples, saints, brethren, those of the way. It, doubtless, was bestowed by the Gentiles. Some suppose that it was applied as a term of ridicule, and cite the witty and sarcastic character of the people of Antioch, and their notoriety for inventing names of derision; but this is doubtful. The name may have been given simply as a distinctive title, naturally chosen from the recognized and avowed devotion of the disciples to Christ as their leader.” (M.R. Vincent) God or Pagans

8. “the Disciples were first called Christians” The Argument “This name originated not within, but without, the Church; not with their Jewish enemies, by whom they were styled “Nazarenes” (Ac 24:5), but with the heathen in Antioch, and (as the form of the word shows) with the Romans, not the Greeks there” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown) God or Pagans

9. “the Disciples were first called Christians” Called - chrematizo The name “Christian” was not pagan slang but the name of prophecy which God called His people God or Pagans chrematizo - “impart a divine message, make known a divine injunction/warning” (BDAG) Every use of this term in the New Testament refers to a Divine proclamation

10. “the Disciples were first called Christians” 2“Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah who have come to worship in the Lord’s house all the words that I have commanded you to speak (chrematizo) to them. Do not omit a word! Jeremiah 26:2 (NASB95)

11. “the Disciples were first called Christians” 23 because they have acted foolishly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken words in My name falsely, which I did not command (chrematizo) them; and I am He who knows and am a witness,” declares the Lord.’” Jeremiah 29:23 (NASB95)

12. “the Disciples were first called Christians” 12 And having been warned (chrematizo) by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Matthew 2:12 (NASB95)

13. “the Disciples were first called Christians” 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned (chrematizo)by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, Matthew 2:22 (NASB95)

14. “the Disciples were first called Christians” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed (chrematizo) by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” Acts 10:22 (NASB95)

15. “the Disciples were first called Christians” 3 So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called (chrematizo) an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. Romans 7:3 (NASB95)

16. “the Disciples were first called Christians” God’s people will be called by a new and everlasting name 5 To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, And a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off. Isaiah 56:5 (NASB95) The passage encourages people to righteousness, because “my salvation is about to come” Those previously excluded would be a part of this people If righteous the “foreigner” and the “eunuch” would be welcome

17. “the Disciples were first called Christians” “new” describes a state of being different, new and superior to a previous state 2 The nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the Lord will designate. Isaiah 62:2 (NASB95) “My delight is in her” and “Married” were both names which had already been given Notice the text emphasizes the source of the new name

18. “the Disciples were first called Christians” Is. 65:1-12 speaks of the way in which Israel had mistreated God and refused Him 14“Behold, My servants will shout joyfully with a glad heart, But you will cry out with a heavy heart, And you will wail with a broken spirit. 15“You will leave your name for a curse to My chosen ones, And the Lord God will slay you. But My servants will be called by another name. Isaiah 65:14–15 (NASB95) He speaks of their hypocrisy and His anger and judgment As a result of Israel’s rejection God’s people will be called by another name

19. “the Disciples were first called Christians” Amos tells of a time after the Jewish economy falls in which God raises up a people “called by My Name” 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the nations who are called by My name,” Declares the Lord who does this. Amos 9:11–12 (NASB95) Amos clearly describes the downfall of Israel This new kingdom would never be uprooted - it cannot be Judah “called by My Name” - the name of the one who builds the kingdom

20. “the Disciples were first called Christian” 20 In Acts 11:19, we find that the Dispersion had only preached to Jews 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. Acts 11:20 (NASB95) In Antioch they began to reach out to the Gentiles This is fitting with the Isaiah prophecy

21. “the Disciples were first called Christians” “To the Hellenists. This word usually denotes in the New Testament those Jews residing in foreign lands, who spoke the Greek language. See Notes on ch. 6:1. But to them the gospel had been already preached; and yet in this place it is evidently the intention of Luke to affirm that the men of Cyprus and Cyrene preached to those who were not Jews, and that thus their conduct was distinguished from those (ver. 19) who preached to the Jews only. It is thus manifest that we are here required to understand the Gentiles as those who were addressed by the men of Cyprus and Cyrene.” (Barnes, Notes on the New Testament) 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. Acts 11:20 (NASB95)