Christian is the name first given to the disciples at Antioch.
In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. The name says they belong to Christ. Agrippa tells Paul he is almost persuaded to become a Christian. Peter says if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but to glorify God in that name. The church did not invent the word as a brand. It was what others called them, and Peter tells them to wear it without shame. A Christian is a disciple of Christ, not a spectator of the faith.
- The early church in Antioch is where the name is first written.
- Believer, disciple, saint, and brother are the other names. Christian does not replace them.
- Suffering as a Christian is suffering for the name, not for wrongdoing.
In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.
Glorify God in that name.
- Christian means one who belongs to Christ.
- The name is first used in Antioch.
- Agrippa uses it of becoming what Paul is.
- Peter says not to be ashamed of it.
- It is a name to glorify God in.
- Disciple is the older word. Christian is the public name.
- The City – Antioch.
- The Meaning – Belonging to Christ.
- The Mouth – What others called them.
- The Suffering – As a Christian.
- The Charge – Do not be ashamed.
- The Other Names – Disciple, saint, brother.
- Acts 11:26 – “In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
- Acts 26:28 – “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”
- 1 Peter 4:16 – “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”
- Acts 11:21 – “A great number who believed turned to the Lord.”
- Acts 11:26 – “For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people.”
- 1 Peter 4:14 – “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed.”
- Acts 26:29 – “I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am.”
- Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
- Acts 11:26 – “The disciples were first called Christians.”
- 1 Peter 4:15-16 – “Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief… Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.”
In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.
Glorify God in that name.
The name says Christ. Wear it. Do not be ashamed of it.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.