Chapter 1 notes for Slave by John Macarthur

Chapter One

• During the second century believers of Jesus faced imprisonment, torture, or death by the roman empire.
• I AM A CHRISTIAN

     - Entire identity found in Jesus

            A. Name

            B. Citizenship

            C. Social status

• To the second century believers of Christ their entire existence was summed up by following Jesus Christ. The second century believed nothing else mattered even to the point of losing their life.
• For Second century believers the name Christian was more than just a religious designation it defined their entire  existence.
• For Second Century followers of Christ CHRISTIAN was not simply a title, but an entire new way of thinking-one that had serious implications for how they lived -and ultimately how they died.

What does it mean to be a Christian?

• For some being a Christian is primarily cultural & traditional.
• For some being Christian is political.
• For most people it is described as a past religious experience, general belief in Jesus, or desire to be a good person.
• Followers of Jesus Christ were not called Christians until 10-15 years after the church started before they were known as Saints, brothers, disciples, followers of the way
• Acts 11:26 First time followers were called Christians.
• The term Christian was orginally coined by unbelievers as an attempt to deride those who followed crucified Christ.
• Christian greek = Christianoi
• Followers of Caesar were known as Kaisarianoi They showed deep loyalty to Roman empire.
• To be a Christian, in true sense of the term is to be a wholehearted follower of Jesus Christ.
• John 8:31 If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me Luke 9:23 John 12:26
• Calling ourselves Christians we proclaim to the world that everything including of self identity is found in Jesus Christ.

A Word that Changes Everything

1. Scripture describes us as Aliens
2. strangers of God
3. citizens of heaven
4. lights to the world
5. members of the body
6. sheep in his flock
7. Ambassadors

• We are called to 

1. compete like athletes 
2. fight like soldiers
3. to abide like branches on a vine
4. desire his word as newborn babies for milk

• Outsiders called them Christians. People in the know called themselves slaves.

Lost in translation

• Scriptures prevailing description of the Christians relationship to Jesus Christ is the slave/master relationship
• Slave = Doulos in greek
• Key distinction servants are hired slaves are owned.
• The gospel is not simply an invitation to become Christs associate; it is a mandate to become his slave.