The Significance of the Name Christian in Early Christianity
The term "Christian" emerged in the early church as a descriptive label for followers of Jesus, first appearing in Antioch around A.D. 43 [2, 5]. This name, which occurs only three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), was likely applied by outsiders, possibly with a derogatory connotation [1, 2, 6].
Before being called Christians, the disciples referred to themselves by various terms, including "brethren" (Acts 15:1, 23), "disciples" (Acts 9:26; 11:29), "believers" (Acts 5:14), "saints" (Romans 1:7; 8:27; 15:25), and "those of the way" (Acts 9:2) [1, 2, 6]. The Jews, who did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, would not have originated the name "Christian" and instead sometimes referred to believers as "Nazarenes" [6].
The city of Antioch played a significant role in the early spread of Christianity. It was in Antioch that Barnabas and Paul taught for a whole year, and it was there that the disciples were first called Christians [5, 9]. This occurred after the conversion of idolatrous Gentiles, marking a significant expansion of the early church beyond its Jewish origins [6, 9]. John Chrysostom notes that Antioch became an important center for Christian work, second only to Jerusalem, and it was from Antioch that Paul embarked on his missionary journeys [9]. Chrysostom also suggests that the name "Christian" was probably given by the Gentiles [9].
The name "Christian" is derived from "Christ," which signifies "anointed" [3]. This term is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," referring to the long-promised Prophet and King whom the Jews anticipated [3]. Jesus was understood to be both priest and king, roles that were traditionally inaugurated through anointing [3]. The name "Jesus" itself means "savior," being the Greek form of "Jehoshua" or "Joshua," meaning "help of Jehovah" [3, 4]. Thus, the name "Christian" inherently links believers to Jesus as the Anointed Savior.
Early Christian writers acknowledged the external origin and sometimes negative perception of the name. Tertullian, in his Apology, discusses the "great offence in the Christians lies in their very name," indicating that the name itself was a point of contention and accusation [7]. Similarly, Theophilus of Antioch, in his To Autolycus, addresses the accusation of being called "Christian," explaining that "that which is anointed is sweet and serviceable, and far from contemptible" [8]. He uses analogies of ships, castles, and individuals being anointed with oil to demonstrate the positive connotations of anointing, thereby reframing the name "Christian" in a favorable light [8]. This suggests that while the name may have been initially imposed with contempt, early Christians embraced and reinterpreted its meaning.
The use of the name "Christian" in the New Testament itself reflects this external and sometimes hostile context. In Acts 26:28, King Agrippa says to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" This implies a certain skepticism or even disdain associated with the term [2]. In 1 Peter 4:16, the apostle writes, "But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." This verse indicates that suffering for the name "Christian" was a reality for early believers and that they were encouraged to endure it with honor [1, 2, 6]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on 1 Peter 4:16 explicitly states that "Christian" was "the name given in contempt first at Antioch" [6].
Scholarly interpretations suggest that the label "Christian" was likely a convenient way for outsiders to categorize followers of Jesus, often associating them with alleged superstitious practices and immoral character [10]. Despite these negative connotations, the name became universally accepted as distinguishing believers from the wider populace [1].
The development of the term "Christian" highlights the early church's transition from a sect within Judaism to a distinct religious movement. The initial self-designations like "brethren" or "saints" were internal, reflecting their communal identity and spiritual status [1, 2]. The adoption of "Christian," even if initially imposed, marked their public identity and their association with Christ. This public identity, while sometimes leading to persecution, also served to unify and define the burgeoning faith.
The significance of the name "Christian" thus lies in its dual nature: an external label, possibly pejorative, that became an internal badge of identity and a source of theological meaning. It connected believers directly to Christ, the Anointed One, and served as a public declaration of their allegiance, even in the face of scorn or suffering [1, 8, 10]. The name, therefore, became a powerful symbol of their faith and their distinctiveness in the ancient world.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Christian — The name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16).”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Christian — The disciples, we are told, (Acts 11:26) were first called Christians at Antioch on the Orontes, somewhere about A.D. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, brethren, (Acts 15:1,23; 1 Corinthians 7:12) disciples, (Acts 9:26; 11:29) believers, (Acts 5:14) saints, (Romans 8:27; 15:25) The name "Christian," which, in the only other cases where it appears in the New Testament, (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16) is used contemptuously, could not have been applied by the early disciples to themselves, but was imposed upon them by the Gen”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jesus Christ — "The life and character of Jesus Christ," says Dr. Schaff, "is the holy of holies in the history of the world." + NAME.--The name Jesus signifies saviour . It is the Greek form of [713]Jehoshua (Joshua). The name Christ signifies anointed. Jesus was both priest and king. Among the Jews priests were anointed, as their inauguration to their office. (1 Chronicles 16:22) In the New Testament the name Christ is used as equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah (anointed), (John 1:41) the name given to the long-promised Prophet and King whom the Jews had been taught b”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jesus — called Jestus, a Christian who was with St. Paul at Rome. (Colossians 4:11) (A.D. 57.) (saviour). + The Greek form of the name Joshua or Jeshua, a contraction of Jehoshua, that is, "help of Jehovah" or "saviour." (Numbers 13:16) + Joshua the son of Nun. (Numbers 27:18; Hebrews 4:8) [[712]Jehoshua]”
- Acts “When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. -- Acts 11:26”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 4:16: a Christian--the name given in contempt first at Antioch. Act 11:26; Act 26:28; the only three places where the term occurs. At first believers had no distinctive name, but were called among themselves "brethren," Act 6:3; "disciples," Act 6:1; "those of the way," Act 9:2; "saints," Rom 1:7; by the Jews (who denied that Jesus was the CHRIST, and so would never originate the name Christian), in contempt, "Nazarenes." At Antioch, where first idolatrous Gentiles (Cornelius, Act 10:1-2, was not an idolater, but a proselyte) were converted, and wide missio”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. III.(1)--THE GREAT OFFENCE IN THE CHRISTIANS LIES IN THEIR VERY NAME. THE NAME VINDICATED. (part 2): any case which is submitted to the judge,(11) inquired into against the defendant, responded to by him or denied, and cited from the bench, I acknowledge a legal charge. Concerning, then, the merit of a name, whatever offence names may be charged with, whatever impeachment words may be amenable to, I for my part(12) think, that not even a complaint is due to a word or a name, unless indeed it has a barbarous sound, or smacks of ill-luck, or is immodest, or is indec”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. XII.--MEANING OF THE NAME CHRISTIAN.: And about your laughing at me and calling me "Christian," you know not what you are saying. First, because that which is anointed[4] is sweet and serviceable, and far from contemptible. For what ship can be serviceable and seaworthy, unless it be first caulked [anointed]? Or what castle or house is beautiful and serviceable when it has not been anointed? And what man, when he enters into this life or into the gymnasium, is not anointed with oil? And what work has either ornam”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Greeks, the uncircumcised heathen, and the Antioch Church was founded and its reception into Christian fellowship approved by the mother church at Jerusalem. Antioch now became an important centre of Christian work, second only to Jerusalem. Here Paul labored a year, and from Antioch he went forth to his three great missionary journeys.—G.B.S. 597 The name Christians was probably given by the Gentiles. The word appears but twice, besides here, in the N.T. ( Acts xxvi. 8 ; 1 Pet. iv. 16 ), and in both cases it is implied that the name was a name appli”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:16: 4:16 Although evidence is very fragmentary, it is likely that the label Christian (cp. Acts 11:26) was originally a convenient way of summarizing the alleged superstitious practices and immoral character attributed to Jesus’ followers.”