The term "Christian" was first used for the Jesus-followers of Antioch in Acts 11:26.
It was meant as a slur, a sarcastic put-down. "Little Christs."
Our movement adopted it as a badge of honor.
C.H. Spurgeon once wrote that we should have a "striking likeness of Jesus Christ."
Our lives should be marked by Acts 4:13:
"And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
Here are Spurgeon's marks of a Christ-follower:
- Model Christ's boldness. Never blush to your own faith.
- Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God.
- Imitate Him in your loving spirit.
- Think kindly, speak kindly, do kindly.
- Do not waste time; it is too precious.
- Was He self-denying? Be the same.
- Was He devout? Be fervent in your prayers.
- Did He defer to His Father's will? So submit yourselves to Him.
- Was He patient? So learn to endure.
- Try to forgive your enemies, as He did.
Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven.
Heap coals of fire on the head of your enemy by your kindness to him.
In the words of Spurgeon, "We would have such a striking likeness to Him that the world would not have to say, 'Well, there seems to be somewhat of a likeness to Christ.' Instead, when they saw us, they would exclaim, 'He has been with Jesus! He has been taught of Him. He is like Him and has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth.'"
