Suppose you wanted to know about being a "Christian" and being a part of  
the "church."  How would you know what a "Christian" is and how one becomes a  
part of "the church".  In fact, what "church" would be the right church?  
Well, there are many passages of scripture which would help, but you could  
consult Acts 11:19-26 and by just reading, scanning the verses, thinking, and  
taking notes for further study  you could gain an understanding.  In other  
words, "Let the Bible interpret itself!"
 

The record of the conversion of the Gentiles in Antioch is fascinating for it  
tells of those who were not Christians earlier in Acts 11 but were Christians  
by the time you read on to Acts 11:26.  In fact, verse 26 tells us that  
"the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."  But one does not  
read of  "Christians" there prior to this verse 26. Nor do we read of "the  
church" existing there prior to Acts 11:26. In the broader context of the  
text we are told that Christians were scattered abroad out of Jerusalem  
because of the persecution that "arose about Stephen" (Acts 6-7) and that  
those who kept their faith in the face of persecution "went everywhere  
preaching the word"(Acts 8:4).  Philip the evangelist goes into Samaria  
(Acts 8), Saul the Persecutor now converted and an apostle of Jesus Christ  
preaches in Jerusalem then among the Gentiles (Acts 9-13).  Peter the apostle  
of Jesus Christ goes to the house of Cornelius, the Gentile Roman military  
officer, and preaches Christ successfully (Acts 10).  Then the saints in  
Jerusalem heard that "God had granted repentance unto the Gentiles" (Acts  
11.)  Others who were scattered went to various places "preaching the word to  
none but the Jews only" and some came to Antioch "preaching the Lord  
Jesus"(Acts 11:19-20).  It is from this point that the process notably begins. 

    In the next few sentences in Acts 11:20 beginning and running through  
verse 26 the reader will learn several things: 

1.  The necessity of the gospel message about Jesus to make one a  
"Christian".  The gospel only makes "Christians only."   
2.  The place of faith and repentance in the process of conversion. 
3.  The importance of "turning" which, when compared with Acts 2, includes  
baptism as the final act of turning. 
4.  The process of conversion being called "grace" 
5.  The church coming into existence there in Antioch as individuals were  
converted, for the church is the body of the saved. 
6.  The converted being called "disciples" and the "disciples" so converted  
being called "Christians." 
7.  The process whereby one becomes a "Christian" is the same as becoming  
part of the "church." 
8.  There existed only one church for them to become a part of. 
9.    No "brand name" or denomination or megachurch was mentioned, nor were  
they necessary to be just a "Christian." 
 

But wait there's more!
 

Did you notice in the reading that the phrase "unto the Lord" occurs over  
and over again in Acts 11:19-26?  There is a reason for that.  Every act of  
obedience in the process of conversion is "unto the Lord", that is, "with a  
view to the Lord."  And one who obeys is to "cleave" unto the Lord and  
continue in the faith, living unto the Lord daily (v. 22).  Where did we ever  
get the idea that "just believe" saves?  Or, that "being baptized" is a  
license to behave any way I choose? Or, that being in the church and wearing  
the name "Christian" is enough and church attendance is superfluous? 
    It is amazing what we will learn when we open the Bible and study without  
an overlay of human theology or creeds!