1 PETER+—An Illustrated Summary of Life Applications from Every Chapter of the Bible by G. Campbell Morgan

"On every page of the God-breathed writings are many thoughts that stretch out like long, clear arms of light across the darkness, discovering things otherwise hidden and illuminating wider areas than those of the immediate context. They are searchlights. I have selected one in each chapter of Scripture, for at least one central thought in every chapter should arrest the mind and affect the life," wrote G. Campbell Morgan, a skilled, wise, warm-hearted Bible teacher who conducted a classic 3-year study called Life Applications from Every Chapter of the Bible. Here is the fruit of that research—summarized, illustrated, and amplified with useful details—on all 66 books of the Bible.

GENESIS, EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, 

DEUTERONOMY, JOSHUA, JUDGES, RUTH, 

1 SAMUEL, 2 SAMUEL, 1 KINGS,  2 KINGS, 

1 CHRONICLES, 2 CHRONICLES, EZRA, 

NEHEMIAH, ESTHER, JOB, PSALMS, 

PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES, 

SONG OF SOLOMON,  ISAIAH, JEREMIAH,

 LAMENTATIONS, EZEKIEL, DANIEL, 

HOSEA, JOEL, AMOS, OBADIAH, JONAH, 

MICAH, NAHUM, HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH,  

HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, MALACHI,

 MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN, 

ACTS, ROMANS, 1 CORINTHIANS,

2 CORINTHIANS, GALATIANS, EPHESIANS, 

PHILIPPIANS, COLOSSIANS, 1 THESSALONIANS,

2 THESSALONIANS, 1 TIMOTHY,  2 TIMOTHY, TITUS,

PHILEMON, HEBREWS, JAMES, 1 PETER, 2 PETER,

1 JOHN, 2 JOHN, 3 JOHN, JUDE, REVELATION

1 Peter 1:12 "Things into which angels long to look." First Peter is the first of two letters the apostle Peter wrote to the church at large in many locations. It opens with praise to God and proceeds exuberantly to deal with the wonders of Christian experience and privilege. Because of God's mercy, Peter tells all Christians, we have been "born again to a living hope," to an inheritance kept in heaven for us. That, of course, brings joy, which brings encouragement as we face necessary trials in this life while we wait for the next, which all have the good effect of refining and testing or proving the genuineness of our faith. "Concerning this salvation," Peter writes, "the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, wondering what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories." These are things into which angels long to look. This helps us realize the depths and glories of our salvation. The angels are the unfallen beings who serve God in holiness and dwell with Him in the light. So great is human salvation that they desire to understand it better. This longing is of the simplest and strongest kind, showing us they realize its amazing wonder and earnestly wish to apprehend it. The Greek word translated "look" is also a strong one, suggesting the closest attention and inspection of ones bent over in careful examination. While prophets sought and searched diligently, and angels still long to look at, those of us who are the objects of this mercy so full of wonder should be satisfied  with nothing less than our utmost diligence to grasp the deep things of our "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading."

1 Peter 2:7 "The honor or preciousness is for you who believe." This is speaking about the preciousness of Christ, the stone the builders rejected who in fact became the cornerstone of God's building. The declaration is not that believers know the preciousness of Christ, but rather that they share it. Preciousness speaks of honor and the qualities worthy of honor. Twice in this passage Christ is described as precious in God's estimate. We know the things in Christ that made Him precious and honorable in the sight of God: His purity, His love, and His conformity to the perfect will of God. All these things are communicated to those who believe in Christ! His very life and nature are given to the believer, and by the might of their working, make that believer precious with His preciousness. He is the living Stone, and those who come to Him in saving faith receive that very quality of life that is His, thereby becoming living stones in God's building. It is in the power of that preciousness that they become "an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession," and so enabled "to show forth the excellencies" of God.

1 Peter 3:15 "In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." At the center of the Christian life is but one Lord, and that is Christ. Christians faithfully honoring that fact maintain unity of being, consistency of conduct, and accomplishment of purpose. To do otherwise is to be divided in our own life, inconsistent in our conduct, and ineffective in our service. Divided loyalties, such as our own selfish desires, worldly wisdom, and the pressure of circumstances, bring disaster. Therefore the urgency of this command. To hallow the heart by excluding all other lords except Christ Himself is to be strong, true, and effective. His knowledge is perfect, not only of the heart, but also of our circumstances and the true way of life. To be governed by many lords is to be in bondage to them all and desolated by their conflicting ways. To be in bondage to Christ is to be released from all other captivity. Living like that will lead to good and sincere spiritual questions from people seeking hope. Our answer is to be a defense. The Greek word translated "defense" is apologia so Christian apologetics are not apologies but defenses based on evidence. The Christian faith is reasonable, but it is also humble, which is why Peter says the evidence we present for Christian hope is to be explained with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 4:16 "If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." This is one of the few places in the New Testament where that description of believers is used. There are only three. In the first we are told where it originated: "The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). It was not necessarily a term of reproach, but one used to mark the fact that they were followers of Christ. The second is a cynical remark made by King Herod Agrippa II to the apostle Paul: "In such a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" (Acts 26:28). The third and last time is here, where Peter makes it obvious that sometimes suffering comes with being known as a Christian. The apostle says two things in view of that fact. The first is that no shame is attached to such suffering. Perhaps he is remembering when he and his fellow apostles had been beaten before the Jewish council in Jerusalem and ordered not to speak about Christ. Although in actual physical agony from the stripes laid on them, they nevertheless "left the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name" (Acts 5:41).  The second word is a command: "Let him glorify God in that name." That is more than glorying in the Name of Jesus Christ the Lord; it is also living worthily to the glory of God. If a person is known as a Christian but does not live as one, he or she dishonors God. To bear the Name is to take a responsibility both great and solemn.

1 Peter 5:9 "Knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brethren throughout the world." Peter ends the meat of his first letter to the church at large like this: "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under  the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brethren throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" (verses 5-10). This is comfort amid conflict. No brother or sister in Christ is fighting alone. Each one is at once supporting and supported by all the rest. Therefore to stop standing firm is to weaken the line of spiritual battle and create an advantage for the enemy of our souls, but to continue to withstand is to strengthen that line and make it difficult for the foe to break through. The resources of our enemy are not limitless. The greater the number of loyal soldiers opposed to him, the greater the difficulty he has advancing upon one soul. The resources of our Lord, the great Captain of our salvation, are limitless. In proportion as we avail ourselves of them, we are invincible. Remember that when temptation comes. If we yield, we weaken the whole battleline. If we stand firm in our faith, the strength of our victory adds power to all the ranks. We need never yield, not only because our Lord is on our side—that is enough—but also because all our brethren who resist are helping us. We never fight alone.

Read All the Applications for Yourself!

The Pilgrim's Progress—Part 2 with Christiana—Illustrated Quotes

The Pilgrim's Progress is one book with two distinct parts, like The Lord of the Rings is one book or story with three parts. Christiana, Christian's wife, acted like a villain in the first part but becomes the main heroine in the second part by leading her four sons and a neighbor to follow after Christian on  pilgrimage.

hristiana was glad in heart, "not only that she had a companion [her neighbor, Mercy], but also that she had prevailed with this poor maid to fall in love with her own salvation."

 

eliever said to Christiana after rescuing her group from ruffians, "I wondered that you did not petition the Lord for a guide to avoid these dangers, for He would have granted you one." Christiana responded, "Since our Lord knew it would be to our profit, I wonder that He sent not one along with us." Reliever answered, "It is not always best to grant things not asked for, lest by so doing they become of little esteem; but when the want of a thing is felt, it then receives in the eyes of him that feels it the estimate it properly is due.... 'Tis a poor thing that is not worth asking for"—not worth asking is not worth having. As James 4:3 says, "You do not have because you do not ask."

Great-heart, the Guide Worth Asking For

 

t the Interpreter's house "the water stood in Christiana's eyes, for she was a woman quick of apprehension." The eight lessons she learned there in Part 2 and the eight lessons Christian learned there in Part 1 are worth reading and pondering. My favorites are the man with the broom, the fire that could not be put out, the man with the muck-rake, and the valiant man who stormed the castle.

n the morning, they rose with the sun and began to prepare to go on their journey. But the Interpreter asked them to stay a little longer....Now, Innocent, following instructions, had them bathe in the pool of the garden, and put on new, white, linen clothing. Thus dressed, the women looked so beautiful that they looked on each other with awe. For each could see the glory only in the other, and each esteemed the other better than herself. "You are fairer than I," said one. "And you are more beautiful than I am," said the other. The children also stood amazed to see their new appearance.

fter successfully leading his company through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Mr. Great-heart vanquishes Giant Maul, but came close to losing his life in the combat. Christiana asks, "Were you not afraid...when you saw him come out with his club?" Great-heart answers, "It is my duty to distrust my own ability that I may have reliance on Him who is stronger than all." Christiana then asks, "But what did you think when he knocked you down to the ground at the first blow?" His reply: "I realized that my Master, the Lord Jesus, was Himself treated the same way, yet He it was who conquered at the last." Christiana's eldest son, Matthew, says, "I think God has been wonderfully good to us both in bringing us out of this valley and in delivering us out of the hand of this enemy. For my part, I see no reason why we should distrust our God anymore since He has now, and in such a place as this, given us such testimony of His love as this." The pilgrim band then meet up with Old Honesty, and he and Great-heart soon discover that they are kindred spirits, possessed of valiant hearts.

ld Honesty replies to a query from Great-heart, "I would have fought as long as breath had been in me and had I done so, I would have prevailed. A Christian can never be overcome unless he yields himself." Great-heart joyfully responds, "Well said, father Honest, for by this I know you are a true Christian warrior because you have uttered a great Christian truth." Honesty answers, "And by what you said I know you understand the Christian pilgrimage because all others think that Christians are the soonest overcome of any." The meek are not weak but have their strength under control. It is folly to strive with the God behind that strength.

ast words uttered by Christiana and company in turn when the Master was not willing that they should be so far from Him any longer:

• Christiana says, "I come, Lord, to be with You and bless You."
• Mr. Ready-to-halt says, "Welcome, life!"
• Mr. Feeble-mind says, "Hold out, faith and patience."
• Mr. Despondency says, "Farewell, night! Welcome, day!"
• Old Mr. Honest says, "Grace reigns."
• Mr. Valiant-for-truth says, "I am going to my Father's House, and though with great difficulty I have reached this point, yet now I do not repent of all the trouble I have been through to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him who shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him who can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me to be a witness that I have fought the battles of Him who now will be my Rewarder.... Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory?"
• Mr. Stand-fast says, "I see myself now at the end of my journey. My toilsome days are ended. I am now going to see that head that was crowned with thorns, and that face that was spit upon for me. I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith, but now I go where I shall live by sight, and shall be with Him in whose company I delight. I have loved to hear Him spoken of, and wherever I could see His footprints on the sands of time, there I delighted to walk. His name has been to me a precious treasure—sweeter than all perfumes. His voice I rejoice to hear, and His face to me exceeds all beauty in earth and sky. His Word I have used as food  for my soul and for antidotes against my faltering. He has kept me back from my iniquities, and He has held me fast. Yes, my steps He has strengthened in His way. Take me, Lord, for I come to Thee."
• See also The Pilgrim's Progress, Part 1 with Christian—Illustrated Quotes
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

The Pilgrim's Progress—Part 1 with Christian—Illustrated Quotes

 

The Pilgrim's Progress may be my second favorite book after the Holy Bible because of its accuracy and honesty in describing the Christian life in memorable story form. When making a pilgrimage through the book recently, I decided to highlight poignant quotes that follow the story's chronology:

 

Christian with the Book by Him Who Cannot Lie

 

hristian, at the beginning of his pilgrimage, fields this question from Pliable: "Do you think that the words of your Book are certainly true?" Christian answers, "Yes, for it was made by Him who cannot lie."

 

he first thing Interpreter shows to Christian in his wonderful house of life lessons is the pastor's portrait, who "had eyes lifted to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the Law of truth written upon his lips, the world ... behind his back. It stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over his head.... His work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners." Interpreter tells Christian, "I have showed you this picture first because the [pastor] ... is the only man whom the Lord of the place to where you are going has authorized to be your guide in all difficult places you may meet with in the way."

  

Christian Loses His Burden at the Cross

 
hristian journeyed for a long way with the increasingly heavy burden of sin on his back. He knew many biblical truths, but until this point in his pilgrimage he was missing the key truth. Only when Christian on the Narrow Way "came up to the Cross [was] his burden loosed from off his shoulders. [It] fell from off his back and began to tumble, and so continued to do, till it came to the mouth of the Sepulcher, where it fell in, and I saw it no more. Then was Christian glad and felt light as a feather. He said with a merry heart, 'Jesus has given me rest by His sorrow, and life by His death.'" He receives spiritual gifts and assurances at this turning point in his journey, reflecting his full trust in the work of Christ on the cross alone to procure his salvation in life and death.

Christian Receives the Key of Promise

aithful to Talkative: "When Christ said, 'Do you know all these things?' and the disciples had answered, 'Yes'; He added, 'Blessed are you if you do them.' He did not lay the blessing in the knowing of them but in the doing of them."

hen Christian and Hopeful strayed from the straight Way, which was difficult in some parts, onto soft, easy By-path Meadow, they later heard, "'Let your heart be towards the highway, even the way that you went; turn again.' But by this time the waters were greatly risen so the way of going back was very dangerous. (Then I thought that it is easier going out of the way when we are in than going in when we are out.)"

hristian and Hopeful were then captured by Giant Despair, who made life miserable for them. The giant taunted them, repeatedly saying, "Why .. .should you choose life, seeing it is attended with so much bitterness?" Christian was now depressed enough to agree but Hopeful told him, "Indeed our present condition is dreadful ... but ... the Lord of the country to which we are going has said, 'You shall do no murder.'... Moreover, my brother, you talk of ease in the grave, but have you forgotten the hell to which ... murderers go? For 'no murderer has eternal life.'... The time may come that may give us a happy release." That time came when "Christian, as one half amazed, broke out in this passionate speech: 'What a fool I am to lie in a stinking dungeon when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my pocket called Promise that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle.'" It did indeed!

hen Christian and Hopeful reached the Delectable Mountains, they leaned on their walking staffs and spoke with the kindly shepherds there, named Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere, who taught them some of the lessons of the land. Then said the pilgrims to one another, "We have need to cry to the Strong for strength!" The shepherds replied, "Aye, and you will have need to use it when you have it, too."

orced to travel where they dare not fall asleep, Christian and Hopeful kept each other awake with good conversation about how Hopeful began to be concerned about the state of his soul. He told Christian, "For a long time I enjoyed those things that .. .I believe now, would have (had I continued in them) destroyed me ... all the treasures and riches of the world. I also delighted in debauchery, partying, drinking, swearing, lying, immorality, Sabbath-breaking, and every other thing that tends to destroy the soul. But by hearing and considering divine things, which I learned about you, as well as from beloved Faithful, who was put to death at Vanity Fair for his faith and goodness, I discovered at last that 'the end of those things is death' (Romans 6:21).... I tried not to sin, and I avoided sinful company ... but then my trouble came tumbling upon me again, despite all my changes." Hopeful thought he was basically a good person, but his opinion about himself began to change when he started taking seriously such sayings as these: "All our good deeds are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6), "By the works of the Law no one shall be justified" (Galatians 2:16), and "When you have done all things, say 'We are unprofitable'" (Luke 17:10). "I thought to myself," said Hopeful, "If all my good deeds are like filthy rags in God's sight, if no one can be justified by obeying the Law, and if, when we have done all we can, we are still unworthy, then it is foolish to think we can get to heaven by our good works. Furthermore I thought that if a man runs up a bill of a hundred pounds with a shopkeeper and after that he pays for everything he buys but still owes his old bill, the shopkeeper can still sue him and send him to prison until he pays the debt.... I have by my sins run up a great charge in God's Book, and my reforming now will not pay off that debt.... How shall I be freed from the damnation I have brought upon myself by my former transgressions?" Another thing that weighed upon his mind was this: "If I look carefully at the best of what I do now, I still see sin, new sin, mixing itself with the best of what I do so I am forced to conclude that, even if my former life had been faultless, I have now committed sin enough in one action to send me to hell."   The apostle Paul wrote about the same experience: "I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong" (Romans 7:21). The breakthrough for Hopeful (and countless others) came when realized that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). "He is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Romans 10:4). "He died for our sins and rose again for our justification" (Romans 4:25). "He is the mediator between God and us" (1 Timothy 2:5). "I gathered from all these Scriptures," said Hopeful, "that I must look for righteousness in His person and for satisfaction for my sins through His blood.... Now my heart was filled with joy, my eyes filled with tears, and my heart brimming over with love for the name, people, and ways of Jesus Christ."

opeful and Christian meet a young man named Ignorance, who assumes he will go to heaven someday because he is pleased with his own views. He is not at all open to hearing otherwise. That leads to a discussion of what causes people to be like that or to profess faith in Christ, but then backslide or fall away. Hopeful observes that though the consciences of such people are awakened, "their minds are not changed; therefore, when the guilt passes, they cease to be religious.... Thus they are eager for heaven only because they fear the torments of hell, but as soon as their sense of hell and their fears of damnation chill and cool, so does their desire for heaven and salvation ... and they return to their old course again. Another reason is that they are slaves to certain fears that overpower them; particularly the fear of men, for 'the fear of men brings a snare' (Proverbs 29:25).... The stigma that surrounds religion is also a stumbling block to them.... Because they shun even the thoughts of guilt and fear, when once they are rid of their concerns about ... the wrath of God, they gladly harden their hearts and choose ways that will harden them more and more." Christian then discusses how "the hardening of heart takes place: 1. As much as they can, they turn their thoughts away from any reminder of God, death, and judgment to come. 2. Then they gradually cease their private duties, such as prayer, restraining their lusts, and being vigilant and repentant regarding sin. 3. Then they shun the company of lively and sincere Christians. 4. After that they grow indifferent to public duties such as hearing and reading the Word, gathering together for worship, and the like. 5. Then they begin to find fault with some of the godly, and the devilish purpose behind this is to find some alleged reason for turning away from faith in Christ. 6. Then they begin to associate with worldly and immoral people. 7. Then they indulge in worldly and lewd conversations, and are happy if they can find any who are considered honest doing the same so they may use their example as an excuse to indulge more boldly. 8. After this they begin to play with little sins openly. 9. And then, being hardened, they show themselves as they really are. Launched into a gulf of misery, they are lost forever in their own deception unless a miracle of grace prevents it."

ater on, when crossing the River of Death, Hopeful calls out, "Be of good cheer, my brother: I feel the bottom and it is good!" Christian, remembering old sins, is tempted to forget that God already forgave them all through Christian's faith in Christ, so he struggles in the River. Hopeful encourages him again, saying, "Be of good cheer: Jesus Christ makes you whole!" Christian then calls out loudly, "Oh! I see Him and He tells me, 'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and ... they shall not overflow you.' Then they both took courage and the Enemy was after that as still as a stone."

wo shining ones (angels) greet Christian and Hopeful on heaven's side of the River of Death, explaining, "We are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation." Christian and Hopeful "left their mortal garments behind them in the River, for though they went in with them, they came out without them. They therefore went up with much agility and speed....The talk they had with the shining ones was about the glory of the place.... 'There,' said they, 'is ... the paradise of God.... Your walk and talk shall be every day with the King, even all the days of eternity. There you shall not see again such things as you saw when you were in the lower region upon the earth ... sorrow, sickness, affliction, and death.... You are now going to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to the prophets—people who are now resting upon their beds, each one walking in his or her righteousness.' The men then asked, 'What must we do in the holy place?' To whom it was answered, 'You must there receive the comforts of all your toil, and have joy for all your sorrow; you must reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your prayers, and tears, and sufferings for the King by the way. In that place you shall ... enjoy the perpetual sight and vision of the Holy One, for there you shall see Him as He is. There also you shall serve Him continually with praise.... You shall enjoy your friends again who have gone there before you; and there with joy you will greet those who  follow into the holy place after you. There you shall be clothed with glory and majesty, and made fit to ride out with the King of Glory. When He shall come with sound of trumpet in the clouds, as upon the wings of the wind, you shall come with Him; and when He shall sit upon the throne of judgment, you shall sit by Him; yea, and when He shall pass sentence upon all the workers of iniquity, let them be angels or men, you also shall have a voice in that judgment, because they were His and your enemies. And when He shall again return to the city, you shall go too, with sound of trumpet, and be ever with Him.'"

A Glimpse of the Celestial City

See also:
* The Pilgrim's Progress, Part 2 with Christiana—Illustrated Quotes

* For an overview, see 10 Things You Should Know About Pilgrim's Progress

*The beautifully animated film The Pilgrim's Progress | Official Trailer (2019)

* "The Progressive Pilgrim," an article summarizing Nathaniel Hawthorn's clever satire of weak attempts to modernize The Pilgrim's Progress

Keeping the Term "Christian" Truly Useful—Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

This word once meant something much more specific!

Laying more groundwork in the preface to Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis applies his wit and precise use of sarcasm to defend the Christian in Christianity from certain death.  We owe him a measure of thanks that both words are alive and reasonably well now.  How did he manage this?

Observe him go to war with his pen:  "[Deep] objections may be felt—and have been expressed—against my use of the word Christian to mean one who accepts the common doctrines of Christianity.  People ask:  'Who are you to lay down who is and who is not a Christian?' or 'May not many a man who cannot believe these doctrines be far more truly a Christian, far closer to the spirit of Christ, than some who do?'  Now this objection is in one sense very right, very charitable, very spiritual, very sensitive.  It has every amiable quality except that of being useful.  We simply cannot, without disaster, use language as these objectors want us to use it.

"The word gentleman originally meant something recognizable; one who had a coat of arms and some landed property.  When you called someone 'a gentleman' you were not paying him a compliment, but merely stating a fact.... But then there came people who said—so rightly, charitably, spiritually, sensitively, so anything but usefully—'Ah, but surely the important thing about a gentleman is not the coat of arms and the land, but the behavior?...They meant well. [If there is such a thing as high sarcasm, that is it!] To be honorable and courteous and brave is of course a far better thing than to have a coat of arms.  But it is not the same thing.... A gentleman, once it has been spiritualized and refined out of its old coarse, objective sense, means hardly more than a man whom the speaker likes.  As a result, gentleman is now a useless word.

"Once we allow people to start spiritualizing and refining, or as they might say 'deepening', the sense of the word Christian, it too will speedily become a useless word.... It is not for us to say who ... is or is not close to the spirit of Christ.  We do not see into men's hearts.  We cannot judge, and we are indeed forbidden to judge."  Lewis brings up an attitude I have heard several times from others, particularly my friend English John.  We have known each other since my college days.  It has been my delight to share the works of C.S. Lewis and other fine Christian authors with English John, and see him and his wife (who, like Lewis's own wife, grew up in a Jewish household) become faithful Anglicans.

So how shall we use the word Christian?  Lewis says, "We must ... stick to the original, obvious meaning.  The name Christians was first given at Antioch (Acts 11:26) to 'the disciples,' to those who accepted the teaching of the apostles."  The apostles preached the Gospel, which literally means Good News—specifically the good news of Christ's victory over Satan, sin, and death on behalf of His people.

Highlights from the Preface to Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Click here for a clear view of how this Preface relates to the whole book.