Who first referred to disciples of Christ (the church) as "Christians?"

[DeanM]

I dunno if it was due to an easier term or not. Seems to me if that were the objective Wayist would be even easier to say with only two sylables. Just a thought.

 

[JaumeJ]

When I am asked about anything, and I feel I am familiar with the response, I will always respond with what I have been given.

The Angel told Mary she would name the Child Jesus because He was to save His people.

Jesus is said to be thee same as Yeshua however Yeshua may be translated into all languages as Redeemer Yahweh.

It also relates well to Jesse, father of David, for both of these names translatee to all languages as My Redeemer, and Beloved.

There will always be a son of David - Beloved - on the Throne of David - Beloved.

All who believe Jesus, may not consciously understand these, but they know it on their hearts. I will continue my studies for my own blessing from the Author.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

In Acts 11:25-26 disciples of Christ were first called Christians at Antioch. I have some questions.

Please pick one, or all of them if you want, and provide any insight. Thank you. 🙏🏻

1. Who first referred to disciples of Christ as Christians?
2. Given the word 'Christian' only appears twice in the New Testament (1 Peter 4:16) how did it become the dominant term used to refer to disciples of Christ or the church in general?
3. Why are we referred to less often as saints or God's elect even though the terms 'saint' and 'elect' are used with higher frequency than 'Christian' in the Bible?
4. I heard once that 'Christian' was initially a derogatory term. Is that true?

Acts 11:25-26 (KJV)
25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

A christian is a follower of Christ. Christians, were not the ones that first called themselves christians, but it was the ones outside of the church. I do not like the question, "are you a christian"? The scriptures says that you will know them by their fruits. If someone has to ask, to me, it would indicate that I am not showing much fruit. I also do not think it is becoming for a person to state that they are a christian. It has a "hint" of pride.

 

[ewq1938]

Yehoshua – Original Hebrew Name meaning Yahweh is salvation
Yeshua – Shortened Hebrew version during/after Babylonian exile
Iesous – Yeshua translated into Greek
Iesvs – Yeshua translated into Latin
Iesus – Original King James English Edition
Jesus – Modern English Versions


Yeshua was a common alternative form of the name Yehoshuah or in the English Joshua. In Greek the spelling is Iesous. In Latin the spelling is Iesus. In English the spelling is Jesus. The name "Jesus" is fully accurate for any English translation of the Greek name.

 

[Runningman]

A christian is a follower of Christ. Christians, were not the ones that first called themselves christians, but it was the ones outside of the church. I do not like the question, "are you a christian"? The scriptures says that you will know them by their fruits. If someone has to ask, to me, it would indicate that I am not showing much fruit. I also do not think it is becoming for a person to state that they are a christian. It has a "hint" of pride.

I agree with most of that, but boasting in God is probably the only example in the Bible of something we're authorized to be proud of. Not just a hint of pride, but pride enough to shout it from the rooftops.

NKJV
Psalm 34:2
2My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

Romans 15:17
17Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.

1 Corinthians 1:31
31that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Galatians 6:14
14But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

 

[Runningman]

I dunno if it was due to an easier term or not. Seems to me if that were the objective Wayist would be even easier to say with only two sylables. Just a thought.

I could see Wayist being good, but do people intuitively know what Way it is? Maybe attaching a 'Christ' prefix to it helpa raise awareness of Who's Way it is. I don't know, just my opinion.

 

[Hakawaka]

That's interesting. Ever look up what the word Catholic means? It has an entirely different meaning than what Christian means.

catholic kăth′ə-lĭk, kăth′lĭk

• adj.
  Of broad or liberal scope; comprehensive.
• adj.
  Including or concerning all humankind; universal.

This is because Catholics usually subscribe to the universal church doctrine. While many protestants believe that individual churches are independent the Catholics have a system where everything is centralized and controlled from the Pope down.

 

[Aaron56]

Hi folks.
The term "Christian" was given to the followers of Jesus because of Roman tradition. Such derivatives of names were used to signify the followers of philosophers. The New Testament writers did not call the followers of Jesus "Christians". They used: saints, children (of God), sons (of God), believers, brethren, beloved, family, house, etc.

Peter wrote: "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." In the context of the writing, there is no shame in suffering for Christ but there might be shame in being called something the saints are not. A paraphrase of Peter's exhortation might read like: "So what if they come at you for being a "student of Christ"? Glorify God that you have been associated with Him."

 

[Eli1]

Birthplace of St. Peter FOUND.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/science...ic-suggests-born-biblical-city-Bethsaida.html

 

[Dirtman]

In Acts 11:25-26 disciples of Christ were first called Christians at Antioch. I have some questions.

Please pick one, or all of them if you want, and provide any insight. Thank you. 🙏🏻

1. Who first referred to disciples of Christ as Christians?
2. Given the word 'Christian' only appears twice in the New Testament (1 Peter 4:16) how did it become the dominant term used to refer to disciples of Christ or the church in general?
3. Why are we referred to less often as saints or God's elect even though the terms 'saint' and 'elect' are used with higher frequency than 'Christian' in the Bible?
4. I heard once that 'Christian' was initially a derogatory term. Is that true?

Acts 11:25-26 (KJV)
25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

1. Some people at Antioch first called the followers of Christ's teaching Christian.
2. And 4. As a derogatory term it grew as all derogatory term grow by the mouths of disdainful people. And what usually happens the, ones called by that name adopt it as a badge of honor. (Much the way you will find many people in the south will use the term "red neck" to describe themself). Or the way Lutherans just adopted the name. Luther did not have splitter ideas, his goal was reform. The Romanists gave that name to the followers of Luther and it stuck and was eventually adopted.
3. Because the Romanists began doing it to establish a certain type of extra-Biblical hierarchical society with in the church, so they could name the Pope something more than simply the bishop of Rome. They made him an emperor of sorts. Some folks like Jan Huss, and Luther saw it for what it was and tried to affect a change in the zeitgeist, but it managed to stick around. Because humans are by nature idolators.