The followers of Jesus were given the name “Christians” by the people who were not part of their group. It is thought that the name was first used as a derogatory term, but the followers of Jesus eventually embraced it as their own. The word “Christian” comes from the Greek word “christos,” which means “anointed one.” This refers to Jesus, who was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit. The name “Christian” thus indicates that the person is a follower of Christ.
The term “Christian” is used in different ways today. Sometimes it is used to refer to all people who follow Jesus Christ, regardless of their religious affiliation. Other times, it is used more specifically to refer to those who are members of the Christian faith. Whatever the case, the name “Christian” is a reminder that we are followers of Jesus Christ and that we should strive to live according to his teachings.
How Did Christians Get Their Name?
Christians were not always called by that name. In fact, the first followers of Jesus were simply known as “disciples.” It was only later that they came to be called “Christians.”
So how did this change come about? The story is found in the book of Acts, where we read about the early days of the church. In Acts 11:26, we’re told that “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
So how did this happen? It seems that the term “Christian” was originally used as a derogatory nickname by non-believers. But the believers in Antioch didn’t seem to mind. In fact, they even embraced the name and used it to identify themselves.
Why did they do this? Perhaps because they realized that being called a “Christian” was not a bad thing. After all, it meant that they were following in the footsteps of Christ. And if that’s not something to be proud of, then what is?
Today, the name “Christian” is still used as a way to identify those who follow Jesus Christ. And while it may not always be used in the most positive way, it’s still a badge of honor that we wear with pride.
Who First Called the Followers of Jesus Christians?
The term “Christian” is first found in the New Testament, where it is used three times in the book of Acts. In Acts 11:26, the author (Luke) tells us that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. In Acts 26:28, Agrippa says to Paul, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian.” And in 1 Peter 4:16, the author (Peter) says, “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”
So who first called the followers of Jesus Christians? It was probably the residents of Antioch who came up with the term. But it could also have been Agrippa or even Peter himself. In any case, the term “Christian” was not used by the disciples themselves until after it had been used by others.
Today, “Christian” is still used as a derogatory term by some people. But for Christians, it is a proud label that describes our relationship with Christ. It is a reminder that we are not our own; we belong to him. And it is a challenge to live our lives in a way that brings honor to his name.
What Did Early Followers of Jesus Call Themselves?
Some early followers of Jesus referred to themselves as the “Disciples,” while others called themselves the “Ebionites.” The Ebionites were a Jewish Christian group who believed that Jesus was the Messiah but did not believe that he was divine. They also followed many of the Jewish laws and customs. Some scholars believe that the Disciples were also a Jewish Christian group, but there is not as much evidence for this.
The Disciples may have simply been followers of Jesus who did not have any specific name or label. It is possible that the two groups were actually the same and just used different names for themselves. However, we cannot be certain.
What we do know for sure is that there were different groups of early Christians with different beliefs. Some believed that Jesus was the Messiah and some did not. Some followed Jewish laws and customs while others did not. But despite their differences, all of these early Christians were united by their shared belief in Jesus Christ.
What Are Other Names for Christians?
Other names for Christians are followers of Christ, believers, disciples, or the Body of Christ. Christians can also be called by different names depending on their denomination or tradition, such as Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox. Christians may also be referred to as Evangelical, Pentecostal, or Charismatic. All of these terms refer to people who have made a personal commitment to following Jesus Christ.
Christians are sometimes called by other names that are not derived from their faith tradition. These include names such as “moralistic therapeutic deists” or “religious nones.” These terms are often used by people who are not Christians but who nevertheless feel a connection to Christianity. Christians may also be referred to as “people of the book,” “salt of the earth,” or “light of the world.” These phrases come from the Bible and are used to describe those who follow Christ’s teachings.
Our Final Thoughts
There are a few possible reasons why the followers of Jesus were called Christians. One reason may be that they believed in and followed the teachings of Jesus Christ. Another reason may be that they were seen as a new religious movement that was different from other groups at the time. Whatever the reason, the name Christian has stuck with the followers of Jesus Christ for centuries.
