Where did the term "Christian" come from?

Question

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Now, I KNOW that it is written in Acts 11:26:
And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Yet, other than this, the word "Christian" is only the Bible two other places (Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16).

In 60+ other places in the New Testament, Christians are referred to as "saints"!

So, why do we call ourselves Christians?
Why do we not call ourselves saints?
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Was it disciples of Christ that first called each other "Christians"?

Or was it non-Christians that first called disciples of Christ "Christians"?
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Answer 1

followers of Jesus Christ were first called “christians” in antioch [acts 11:26] because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. it was originally used by the unsaved people of antioch as a kind of contemptuous nickname used to make fun of the christians. it literally means, “belonging to the party of Christ” or an “adherent or follower of Christ,” which is very similar to the way webster’s dictionary defines it

Answer 2

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RE:
Where did the term "Christian" come from?
-
Now, I KNOW that it is written in Acts 11:26:
And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Yet, other than this, the word "Christian" is only the Bible two other places (Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16).

In 60+ other places in the New Testament, Christians are...

Answer 3

It's because other people called the followers of God who believed in Jesus by the name Christian. If you were talking to someone who did not believe they called you a Christian, so to you that's what you were.

Saint comes from a word which means holy or consecrated, which would not make much sense to a non-believer because they would not understand the significance of it, but they knew that some people worshipped Mars and some Jupiter, and some Hermes, and some Baal, and some the God of the Hebrews, etc. and so some also worshipped Christ ... Christians.

Answer 4

Where Does Christian Come From

Answer 5

From my understanding, the term "Christians" came from Roman times when the people who followed the teachings of Jesus were called "Christians" which meant 'little followers of the Christ.'

Thank you Rev. Reese and Rev Spensor Lyons for your infor. (2 ministers, 2 different disciplines)

Answer 6

Israel was "chosen" as the family through which Christ would be born. That is what WAS special about Israel. This is why God protected them throughout their history, until Jesus was born. I believe that Jesus was the "promised land", and Moses looked over and saw Him afar off. We are of the earth, and the Word, body of God the Spirit, became flesh, of the earth, thus the promised land. Once Jesus was born, that election was fulfilled. NOW, Jesus' seed, family, is a spiritual seed, not after the flesh, because Jesus had no seed line after the flesh man.

Romans 2:28-29, "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, IN THE SPIRIT, and not in the letter; WHOSE PRAISE IS NOT OF MEN, BUT OF GOD".

We are spiritual Jews, Jesus' family. Christian is not a bad term, but it doesn't reflect being of Jesus' family either.

Rev 3:9, "...which say they are JEWS, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them come and WORSHIP before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee". These say they are circumcised in heart, but do lie. They claim to be Jesus' family, but do lie.

Answer 7

The disciples named Christians, Relief sent to Judea.

Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought, embraces the religion of Christ, believes his promises, and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example. Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of Christian to whom it does not rightly belong. But the name without the reality will only add to our guilt. While the bare profession will bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession of it will give both the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Grant, Lord, that Christians may forget other names and distinctions, and love one another as the followers of Christ ought to do. True Christians will feel for their brethren under afflictions. Thus will fruit be brought forth to the praise and glory of God. If all mankind were true Christians, how cheerfully would they help one another! The whole earth would be like one large family, every member of which would strive to be dutiful and kind.

I would like to add that not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a true Christian.
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"

Answer 8

Christians in the beggining were called people of the way. Romans later called them christians which meant little christs it was a derogatory term but it stuck. so there you have it. we call our selves saints somewhat but the cannonization of saints as in the catholic tradition makes it seem kind of silly.

Answer 9

Christian means Christ-like or Of Christ. It probably came into more common use as Christianity spread.

You can call yourself a saint too.

Answer 10

the two times scripture refers to "christians" is mis-translated. It should read the "anointed ones"