I use those words with slight caution, for many folk with which I fellowship might think that I categorize them thusly! I speak again of the levity, the laxity, which has filled the, so called Christianity, in this day and age.
There was assignment of that title at Antioch as the disciples were teaching about the resurrected Christ. They were there for at least a year. (Acts 11:26) It is interesting to note that they taught “considerable numbers”. People are not always favorable to the teachings concerning Christ, because it places demands on them concerning their acceptance of Christ. Having heard the teachings of Jesus, a person is bound by what they have heard. Failure is rejection!
Currently we are faced with a generation of individuals who want an identification of being Christian, but it is on their terms. We find more and more of these individuals avoiding a literal adherence to Scripture.
I have heard many of the arguments that hinge on being selective, meaning that they feel some things are outmoded and inappropriate for a modern day and age. God recorded for us His desires, and less than total obedience to them is the assumption that one believes he knows more than God.
Did you ever make a list of the places where it is recorded that Barnabas was there and was teaching total adherence to the prophecies and doctrines of the Savior? He was not a compromiser! He was unbending in his adherence to what Christ had taught. He obviously was a stalwart among the disciples and early believers. He was the type that every pastor wants in his congregation.
Oh that God would give us men and women with the commitment that these early believers adhered to. James was ordered killed by Herod (Acts 12:2) but Peter was delivered from prison.
Give up trying to figure out why God does things or allows them in the manner He does. As has been said so often, “inscrutable” is the only acceptable definition.
I am certain that I am not alone in trying to understand the workings of the Lord! At the same time I realize that listening to Him, and obeying Him, will lead to additional avenues of service and approval from Him.
May we bend and yield to what God wants from us, knowing ultimately that this is the only acceptable way of serving Him. Remember He does not change His Word on “sound doctrine”.
ETCetera 