God promised to give his people a new name (2 Peter 1:1-4)
Introduction:
1. As Peter began his second letter he showed in vs.4 how God has given promises to His people that are "exceeding great and precious." 2. In our lesson we are concentrating on one of these promises -- "God promised to give His people a new name." 3. Studying this promise will help us to use the term "Christian" properly. Discussion: I. AT ONE TIME GOD'S PEOPLE WERE CALLED BY THE NAME "ISRAEL"
A. (Genesis 28:10-14) God renewed the promise to Jacob that He had made to Abraham and Isaac. B. Later, God changed Jacob's name to "Israel" (Genesis 32:24-28, 32). C. Jacob's descendants were known as "the children of Israel" or "Israelites." II. GOD PROMISED THROUGH THE PROPHET ISAIAH THAT HE WOULD GIVE HIS PEOPLE A NEW NAME
A. (Isaiah 65:15) Isaiah stated that a time was coming when God would "call His servants by another name." B. (Isaiah 56:5) Earlier, God described this name as "a name better than of sons and of daughters" and "an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off." C. We learn from Isaiah 62:1-2 when God would call His people by this new name. 1. (vs.1) Righteousness and salvation would go forth from Jerusalem. 2. (vs.2) The Gentiles would see God's righteousness. III. GOD KEPT HIS PROMISE TO GIVE HIS PEOPLE A NEW NAME
A. The events that were prophesied in Isaiah 62:1-2 have occurred. 1. (Acts 8:1-4) Righteousness and salvation were going forth from Jerusalem. 2. (Acts 10) The Gospel was taken to Cornelius and his household. 3. (Acts 11:18) The apostles and other brethren in Jerusalem acknowledged that God had "to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." B. (Acts 11:19-26) When the conditions prophesied by Isaiah were met, God's people were called "Christians." 1. God's people under the new covenant are sometimes referred to as "disciples," "saints," and "brethren." 2. "Christian" is the name to be worn by God's people under the new covenant. IV. THE SCRIPTURES REVEAL ADDITIONAL DETAILS CONCERNING THOSE WHO WEAR THE NAME "CHRISTIAN"
A. Acts 11 1. (vs.26) A Christian is a "disciple" [a learner or follower of someone]. a. Christians are learners or followers of Christ whose name is far greater than Israel's (Philippians 2:9-11). b. A Christian must be a disciple, but there is much more to being a Christian than just being a disciple (John 8:31-32). 2. A Christian is "one who has been added to the Lord." a. (vs.24) The people in Antioch who were the first to be called Christians had been "added unto the Lord." b. We learn how a person gets into Christ in Galatians 3:26-27. 3. A Christian is "a member of the Lord's church." a. (vs.26) The people in Antioch who were the first to be called Christians made up the church there. b. The Lord adds those who are saved to His church (Acts 2:47). 4. To summarize, a Christian is a disciple of the Lord who has obeyed the Gospel, been saved from his sins, and added to the Lord's church. B. (Acts 26:28) A Christian is a changed person. C. (1 Peter 4:14-16) A Christian is committed to doing the Lord's will. Conclusion:
1. "Christian" is a special name that is both great and precious -- it glorifies Christ, the founder of Christianity. 2. Have you followed the teaching of the New Testament to become a Christian?
