Why were the disciples called Christians?

Answer 1

According the Acts of the Apostles the followers of Jesus were first called Christians in the Roman Syrian provincial capital of Antioch. This statement is given in a context that places the first use of this name a few years after Jesus' death in Jerusalem. This name was probably given to the followers of Jesus by others, but accepted by them; they probably were called Nazarenes by their opponents in Judea. At first, the followers of Jesus called themselves, "followers of the Way" (Acts 9:2), meaning the way of Jesus.

The New Testament refers to gospel converts as "Christians" three times, and certainly the name is appropriate.

The name follows the Latin form Christ + the suffix ianus, in the sense of those who belong to Christ, like those who were devoted to Herod's cause were called Herodiani. It was probably first meant in a derogatory sense of those who had an obsessive devotion to Christ, with it being enthusiastically accepted in this sense by Jesus' followers.

Interestingly, it appears that the first two mentions were deliberately derogatory (Acts 11:26 and Acts 26:28), and the third mention is by the apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:16), urging the disciples not to be ashamed if they "suffer as a Christian;" more evidence that the name originally had a negative connotation.

Answer by Robert Hendrix

Since the Redeemer was born to Semitic parents, he would not have been given by them a Greek name ('Jesus' from the Greek Iesus or Iesous) but a Semitic name. Since the language of the Redeemer, his parents, and his disciples was Aramaic (a Semitic language), he was given an Aramaic/Hebrew name. That name sounded out is 'Yahushua.' We say 'Joshua.' The title he was given in his day was not from a Greek word (christos) but an Aramaic word, Mashiakh (Anointed One). We say 'Messiah.' His followers were not called 'Nazarenes' but Netzarim, "followers of the Way" (Acts 24:5, 12-14), referring to the word netzer in Isaiah 11:1-3, "... and a netzer (sprout) shall grow out of his sheresh (roots)." A place Messiah affirms this himself is John 15:5, "I am the Vine... ".

Acts 11:26, "... from that time the apostles in Antiochi were first called Kristyane." This indeed was a derogatory term, coined by gentiles (pagans) in the city of Antioch. Kristyane was a Greek term for 'Messianics,' and was never 'enthusiastically accepted' by those who called one another, rather, Netzari.

The term netzer is also the root word for the City of the Branch, Netzeret (Nazareth). John 18:5, "They said to him, 'Yah'shua, the Nasraya (Nazarean).' Yah'shua said to them, 'I am he.' " This designation serves as a reminder to his followers, not that he dwelled in Netzeret but that his 'dwelling' (the 'Spirit' of Mashiyakh) is within his people (the branches of John 15:5, Romans 11:16).

Answer 2

Before first names, or given names, began to be placed on government birth certificates soon after birth, these names were deemed to have been conferred at the time of baptism, thus being "Christian names". The trend towards using either term, first name or given name, reflects that baptism is no longer when the baby is formally named. It also reflects the fact that many people in modern societies are not Christian.

AnswerIn addition to the above excellent answer, in the UK ( as in many other countries) baptisms are still colloquially called 'Christenings' - meaning that the person 'Christened' are formally made part of Christ's universal church and bestowed with a Christian name.

Answer 3

Because they professed Christ resurrected from the dead. They preached the Kingdom of God, which all of Judaea had been expecting around that time to overthrow Rome, but no Kingdom was forthcoming.

More than likely, calling someone a "Christian" was a derogatory term among the skeptical and unbelieving... as, many people looked upon them as fools.

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (I Cor.1:18)

"For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (verses 22-24)

No doubt, among the called of God, being called a "Christian" would have elicited pride within and among them. But, it would have been a term of derision when used by unbelievers.

Answer 4

Originally the term was used to to refer to the name given to a person at their christening (or baptism). The name they were given at the baptism was not always the same as their 'birth' name. For example St Balsamus, who died in AD 331 was given the name Peter at his christening.

However, over time the term came to be used to refer to a person's first name regardless as the practise of giving someone a new name at their baptism decreased.

The term is progressively dying out because of its religious implications and first name is the becoming the preferred term.

Answer 5

bc Christ is in the word Christian. The they are apart if chris

Answer 6

Christians are called "Christians" because of their belief in Jesus Christ, from which the name derives.

I myself am an atheist.

Answer 7

Christian means "In Christ." The -ity identifies is as a concept or idea therefore Christ-ian-ity