Names by Which God’s People Are Called: The Biblical names by which God’s people are called suggest the inter-relationship they share with one another, with Christ, and the world. Name: “The title by which any person or thing is distinguished.” Names are Important! Genesis 5:2; 17:5,15; 35:10.

Names Have Meaning! Adam – means “man.” Eve – means “life,” Genesis 3:20. Abram – means “lofty father.” Abraham – means “father of a multitude,” Genesis 17:5. Jesus – Means “Jehovah is salvation,” Matthew 1:21.

“Babes” From Nerios: – Used physically to denote infants, Matt. 21:16. – Used metaphorically to denote the immature in “spiritual understanding,” I Corinthians 3:1; Hebrews 5:13; Ephesians 4:14. Comment: – Physically, we enter the world as babes. – Spiritually, we were all immature at some point, I Peter 2:1-2; Heb. 5:12-13; I Cor. 3:1; 2 Pet. 3:18

“Disciples,” Matthew 28:19: From Mathetes, denoting “student, pupil, adherent, follower, imitator.” Literally, a “disciple” is one who follows a teacher. – “Disciples of John,” Matthew 9:14. – “Disciples” of the Pharisees, Matthew 22: – “Disciples” of Moses, John 9:28. – “Disciples” of Jesus, Matthew 10:1; John 8:31.

True “Disciples” of Jesus: Continue in His word, John 8:31. Love one another, John 13: Bear fruit, John 15:8; 2 Timothy 2:2; Ezra 7:10. Bear His cross, Luke 14: Try to imitate their Master, Matthew 10:

“Christians,” Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16 “Christ” coupled with “ian,” meaning “of, pertaining to, belonging to. Two requirements to be “of Christ, I Cor. 1:12: – Jesus had to die for us. – We must be baptized in His name Religiously, we wear the name of: – The One Who was crucified for us. – The One in Whose Name we were baptized.

“Christian” – Further Comments: Isaiah foretold the time when: – Gentiles would see the righteousness of God, Isaiah 62:2. – God’s people called “by a new name.” A name which “the mouth of the Lord shall name,” Isaiah 62:2. – “Were called,” Acts 11:26 from chrematizo, a word denoting a divine calling. “Christian” is a noun; not an adjective!

“Saints,” I Corinthians 1:1-2; Philippians 1:1 Saint (Hagiasmos), literally, a “sanctified” or “holy” person. – The ones at Corinth who were “sanctified in Christ Jesus” were the ones who were “called to be saints,” I Corinthians 1:1-2. – God’s word is the means by which we are called to sanctification, John 17:17; 2 Thess. 2:14. Observe: – As saints, we must live holy, sanctified lives, I Thessalonians 4:3-4,7; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 12:14.

“Brethren” From adelphos, “denotes a brother, or near kinsman.” It is used of: – Male children of the same parents, Matthew 1:2; 14:3. – Male children of the same mother, Matthew 13:55; I Corinthians 9:5. – People of the same nationality, Romans 9:3. – Believers, apart from sexual identity, Romans 1:13; I Thessalonians 1:4; James 1:2; 2:1, etc.

Comments: As “brethren,” we are a part of the same spiritual family. As “brethren,” we must “let brotherly love continue:” – Hebrews 13:1. – Romans 12:10. – 2 Peter 1:7.

“Servants,” Philippians 1:1 Servant (doulos), one who “gives himself up to the will of another.” As Christians, we must not serve: – Sin, John 8:34. – Mammon, Matthew 6:24. – Fleshly lusts, Romans 16:17-18.

We Must Serve: God and Christ, Titus 1:1; Romans 1:1. With Humility, Acts 20:19. Sacrificially, Romans 12:1. With a willing mind, 2 Corinthians 8:12.

“Soldiers” Soldiers (stratiotes, Gk), It is used of: – Soldiers in the natural sense, Mark 15:16. – Metaphorically, of one who “endures hardness in the cause of Christ,” 2 Timothy 2:3. As Soldiers, we must: – Learn to “endure hardness,” 2 Timothy 2:3. – Fight against the devil, I Peter 5:8-9. – “Fight the good fight of faith,” I Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Conclusion: If we are genuine “Christians,” we are not just “church members,” but all of the above, and our lives must reflect each of these aspects of the life of a child of God. Are You a child of God? Are You prepared to meet Jesus??