I am writing this article as something to consider or think about. I find myself often thinking of the ‘why' something is. The word Christian is one such word. Why are we called Christians?
Who gave us that name? Did Jesus name us after himself? Did the Apostles affirm us as such? Most believers never ask such questions. They just go along with the status quo.
They Were First Called Christians
“and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” Acts 11:26
Throughout scripture, the followers of Christ were called disciples. The Apostles used affectionate names such as Brethern, Beloved, Dear Children (of God), and Saints. But Christian was not used.
It wasn't given to the believers by Christ. He never called the disciples Christians. In fact, other than calling them disciples, he called them his brothers.
It was the people of Antioch who coined the phrase ‘Christian' (according to the text), which means, “follower of the teachings of Christ”. Whether being called a ‘Christ Follower' was a term of endearment or derision is debatable.
The point is, until this time, believers were not called Christians! And if we were to call on the law of first mention, we would again conclude that Christian is a term used by the unbelievers, not the disciples themselves.
The Term ‘Christian' Catches On
“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Acts 26:28
The term Christian spread from Antioch south, north of Palestine where King Agrippa ruled. Agrippa, during a visit to Festus, who was holding Paul, pending his appeal to stand before Caesar, became curious about Paul and wanted to hear him.
After Paul preached the Gospel before Festus and Agrippa, Agrippa spoke the words of Acts 26:28. He called Paul a Christian.
This is the second time it is used. It's used once more.
If You Suffer As A Christian…
“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” 1 Peter 4:16
I guess this is enough for everyone to begin calling themselves a Christian. The only disciple to use the term is Peter. But why?
Peter was addressing the believers across the Roman Empire. Giving them words of encouragement and strength, he also acknowledged their struggles. Some were undergoing persecution because of their belief in Christ. As such, they were being called Christians by the unbelievers.
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:14
Peter was not branding them Christians. He knows that's what they were being called. So he used the same term. Note Peter did not use it before or ever again afterward.
Are You Something Just Because?
If someone called you a duck, does that make you a duck? Or a dog? The point here is not about what you are being called. It's about who you truly are.
The followers of Christ knew themselves as Sons of God, Kings, and Priests of God, Heirs, and Joint-Heirs with Christ, etc. They were believers, and brethren, male and female alike. But never did they refer to themselves as Christians.
Now, it is obvious, during the centuries that passed, the term stuck. This is especially true once Rome decided to make peace with the believers and convert (sort of). They began calling themselves Christians. Hmm…
This article will not likely change hundreds of years of tradition. I'm sure people will argue for the term and never call themselves anything else. That's okay. I only want you to think. It's not unlike my article about Lucifer.
If Satan and Lucifer are the same beings, why is Lucifer only mentioned once in all of scripture? And only in the Old Testament? Hmm…
No matter what we call ourselves, one thing is certain. If we name the name of Christ, we are (or should be) the followers of the teachings of Christ. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts on this.
I agree! I have always actually believed this since I became a….
There is only thing in this blog I believe to be missing – part of this rich heritage I believe to be ours, is the counter which was the actual name during these times. I believe that believers called themselves ‘The Way’. Most likely based on ‘The Way, The Truth, The Life’. Here are seven times Believers are simply and without fanfare, called The Way:
Acts 9:2, 18:25, 19:9, 19:23, 22:4, 24:14 and 24:22
And just as anyone who calls themselves a ‘Christian’ can have aberrant Theology, so to can a sect out there that calls itself ‘The Way’. Did ‘christians’ stop calling themselves as such because of false ones? No – and neither should we give up on this historic and beautiful Title, The Way, for ourselves as ‘followers of’.
SirRichard,
Thank you so much for your comment! I will look into your suggestion. I pray this blog continues to be a blessing to you!
Greetings. If you read the text in the Greek or use an Interlinear it will help clear up the issue created by the English translations.
The believers were first called Christians by Paul and Barnabas. It was they who caused the disciples “to be assembled,” it was they who began “to teach” the ekklesia and it was they who began “to call” (chrematisai, aorist active infinitive / prolonged causative) first in Antioch the disciples “Christians.”
Mark, thank you for your comment. Using the scripture itself, I would appreciate the verse or verses where Paul or Barnabas calls the believers Christians. The term ‘Christian’ was actually derogatory, as the people of Antioch used it to poke fun at the followers of Christ. And being that, according to verse 19 of Acts 11, the gospel was being preached to the Jews only, they would not have called themselves Christians. This would be an admission to Christ being the Messiah, which the Jews did not believe. It was the pagans of the city that coined the term ‘Christian’ knowing the rejection of Christ by the Jews and seeing the gospel of Christ as nonsense.
Barnabas was sent to Antioch and later, he found Paul and brought him back to help with the work there. If the Apostle had been the one to first call the disciples Christians, one would think the term would be used from then on. But it is not. The only other references (2) are either changes by the translators or used by the author only as a reference to help those being spoken to understand who was being spoken of. I personally lean toward the former.
Thanks, Mark. Funny how the name ‘Christians’ was only mentioned once. If it’s true that they were called Christians, why not continue using calling them that? Also, why did Paul and Barnabas wait until now? If the disciples in Antioch were Christians, you would think all disciples are, and would have been called so from the beginning. Just a thought…
Thanks ! for this article guys. It has me thinking and inquiring much more learning depth. Again ! thanks1 God bless, y all
You are so welcome! Thank you for commenting. God Bless!