美國職業籃球隊達拉斯獨行俠的老闆曾開價10萬美元，要一位芝加哥體育廣播節目主持人正式改名為「達拉斯獨行俠」，還表示會另外捐出10萬美元給這位主持人最喜愛的慈善機構。經過一番深思熟慮後，這位主持人堅定婉拒這項提議。他解釋說﹕「這樣做就等於我承認，為了錢什麼都願意做，這讓我很不安。我的名字代表我的身分，我想要保有我的誠信和信譽。」

就像這位主持人的名字代表他的身分一樣，初代教會的信徒也將「基督徒」這個名稱視為他們屬靈的身分。巴拿巴和掃羅在安提阿傳道一年，隨著福音廣傳，教會日益增長。當時安提阿的信徒活出基督的樣式，以至非信徒稱他們為「基督徒」（使徒行傳11章26節）。因此，「基督徒」泛指屬於基督的人，而後來這樣的身分也使他們受逼迫。但彼得鼓勵信徒：「若有人因是基督徒而受苦，不要引以為恥。」（彼得前書4章16節，和合本修訂版）

對相信耶穌的人來說，「基督徒」是我們的身分。無論是面對金錢的誘惑、遭受苦難或羞辱，都不應使我們妥協讓步。上帝會提供我們一切所需，因此我們有責任每天都活出能榮耀基督的生命。

The owner of ts Dallas Mavericks offered a Chicago sports-talk host $100,000 to legally change his name to "Dallas Maverick." In addition, he said he would donate $100,000 to the man’s favorite charity. After some soul-searching, the radio host held firm and told the owner no. He explained, “Id be saying Id do anything for money, and that bothers me. My name is my birthright. I’d like to preserve my integrity and credibility.” 

Just as the radio host’s name is his birthright, early believers in Jesus took on the name “Christian” as their spiritual birthright. Barnabas and Saul ministered a year in Antioch, and through the preaching of the good news, the church grew. The early believers in Antioch lived so much like Christ that people who didn’t believe in Jesus—called them “Christians” (Acts 11:26). So “Christians” were those who belonged to Christ. Bearing that name ultimately became a source of persecution. But Peter encouraged believers to “not be ashamed” of their birthright and of suffering for bearing that name (1 Peter 4:16).

For those who believe in Jesus, “Christian” is our birthright, and no amount of money, suffering, or abuse should cause us to compromise that name. We have a responsibility, as God provides what we need, to live every day to bring honor to the name of Christ.