The Rejected Christ -- No. 1
In Isaiah, the fifty third chapter, Isaiah in speaking of Christ said, "He is despised and rejected of men." There are many terms in the Bible by which our Lord is described, but the term, "The rejected Christ," fits Him as well as any.
When our Lord first began His mission among men He was rejected. Even His own people the Jews thus treated Him. In John 1:11 we read, "He came unto his own and his own received him not." The Jews of old are not, however, the only ones, nor the last ones to reject the Christ, for many today are doing the same. In this article I will point out some of the ways in which our Lord is rejected today.
First, His name is rejected. The name of Christ has been rejected for human names in religion. The name in which we are to glorify God is the name Christian. "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name." (1 Peter 4:16) Paul says, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of Christ." (Col. 3:17) But frequently people are heard to say, "There is nothing in a name." If this is true why did Paul condemn the wearing of human names at Corinth? (1 Col. 1:11-13) If it were wrong to be called by some other name then, would it not be so now?
Again, if one name is as good as another why could not those who called themselves after Apollos have worshipped God as acceptably in that name as in the name of Christ? Why did Paul condemn them if it were a matter of indifference? There is something in a name. I am to glorify God in the name "Christian." In this name I declare to the world that I am one of Christ. In it I wear the name that is above every name. (Phil. 2:9) Through the name of Christ only does salvation come. (Acts 4:12) The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (Acts 11:26)
Those who have obeyed the true gospel are Christians only, only Christians. The gospel preached by Paul appealed to men to become Christians. When Agrippa heard this gospel he saith, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Paul never persuaded men to be anything but. Christians. In Gal. 1:8 Paul says, "If any man preach unto you any other gospel than that which I have preached unto you let him be accursed." The gospel Paul preached made Christians. A gospel that makes anything else is not the gospel Paul preached. Those who preach it are accursed. Let us put it like this:
1. The .gospel Paul preached made Christians.
2. The gospel Baptist preachers preach makes Baptists.
3. Therefore the gospel preached by Baptist preachers is not the gospel preached by Paul .... They are accursed.
My friend are you a Christian? Are you trying to glorify God in some other name? Do not reject the Son of God by rejecting His name.
Again, the authority of Christ has been rejected. Our Lord possesses all authority. After His resurrection He announced, "All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth." (Matt. 28:18)
He is clothed with authority supreme. Peter says, "All who will not hearken unto him shall be cut off from among the people." (Acts 3:22-23) But in spite of these and other plain passages that teach that Christ has all authority, men still substitute. Some make what they think, their authority. If what Christ says conflicts with what they think, they reject Christ and His authority and make themselves the authority. Have you not heard people say, "Yes I know the Bible says that but, I think?" When people do this they are rejecting Christ and His authority. Jesus says, "Why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things that I say." (Luke 6:46)
There are others who reject the authority of Christ for the doctrines and commandments of men. They refuse to accept the word of God as their authority. In so doing they reject Christ. Would it not be fine if all men today were like the Bereans of old? Of them it is said, "they searched the scriptures daily to see if these things were so." Now why did they search the scriptures? Simply because they knew that the scriptures were the source of authority in matters religious. They well knew that any preaching not taught therein was false.
So "search the scriptures," "prove all things," "Believe not every spirit but try them." Do not reject the Christ by rejecting His authority, but heed the admonition of the heavenly voice, "Hear ye him."