Christian
“Follower or adherent of Christ”
Summary
The name given to followers of Jesus Christ, first applied at Antioch around A.D. 43-44.
☩Origin at Antioch
The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, the capital of Syria, around A.D. 43-44. The city of Antioch was renowned for its quick wit and propensity for bestowing nicknames. As the church emerged from the synagogue and Gentile converts became predominant, the pagan population needed a distinctive term for these followers of Christ who were neither Jews by birth nor religion. The name derives from 'Christos' with the Latin or Greek termination '-ianos,' meaning 'partisans of Christ' or 'adherents of Christ,' similar to how 'Caesariani' denoted followers of Caesar.
☩Not of Jewish or Christian Origin
The Jews would never have applied this name to believers, as it would imply acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah, which they rejected. Instead, Jews called believers 'Nazarenes' or 'Galileans.' The Christians themselves used terms like 'brethren,' 'disciples,' 'saints,' 'believers,' and 'the faithful' among themselves. The name 'Christian' was thus most likely coined by the Gentile inhabitants of Antioch and gradually came into general use by common consent.
☩The 'Chrestian' Confusion
Ancient sources frequently show the spelling 'Chrestiani' rather than 'Christiani,' confusing Christ (Christos) with the common Greek name Chrestos, meaning 'good' or 'useful.' The uncorrected Codex Sinaiticus reads 'Chrestian' in all three New Testament passages. Christian writers were not disinclined to this variant, as it implied their ideal character of goodness. Suetonius mentioned that Claudius expelled Jews from Rome because of tumults instigated by 'Chrestus,' apparently confusing Christ with this common slave name.
☩Use in Persecution
By the time of 1 Peter, to 'suffer as a Christian' had become a reality, as the mere profession of Christianity could expose believers to punishment. The name initially carried no inherent reproach beyond the stigma attached to faith in a crucified Messiah, but later became a badge of honor for confessors and martyrs. The emperor Julian later attempted to revive the term 'Galileans' to deny Christians the honor of their name.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Christian," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Christian," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Christian (The Name)," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.James Orr (ed.), "Christian," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Christian," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 6.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Christian," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 7.George Morrish, "Christian," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 8.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "CHRISTIAN," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. III (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 9.J. B. Jackson, "Chris'ti an," in A Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names (Loizeaux Brothers, 1909).