The Book of Acts records that the followers of Jesus Christ were “first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). Why was this moment so important to include in the Scriptures? Is the name really all that significant?
The Lord’s church was founded in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Peter gave the first sermon of Christ’s New Testament and over 3,000 souls were added to the church that day. But, once they were added to the church, what did these people call themselves? Throughout the Scriptures we can see different names being used. They were known as the disciples of Jesus (Matt. 27:57), the Way (Acts 9:2), the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22), the church of Christ (Rom. 16:16), and others. Each of these names explains a different aspect of the Lord’s church. But, in Isaiah 62:2-3, it was prophesied that the church would be known by one particular name. “The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”
The name “Christian” is only found three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:6), but it became the most common name for members of Christ’s church. The word “Christian” (Greek Christianos) consists of the Greek word for “Christ” or “Messiah” (Christos) and has a Latin ending, “ianus,” meaning “belonging to or identified by.”
Prior to Antioch, Christians were seen by outsiders as just another sect of the Jews, like the Pharisees or Sadducees. But from that point, it became clearer and clearer to the world that this group of believers was entirely different. They were a unique religion, founded by Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
By being called Christians, we bear the name of Jesus Christ, the most precious name on earth. We cannot take His name lightly. The Bible says, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Phil. 2:10). His name is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). In the name “Christian,” we declare that we belong to Christ and that He is our Lord. And, if Christ is our Lord, then our teachings and practices must reflect that. They must come from Christ. That is why this name was given to His followers—because they mirrored their Lord. If we bear His name, we also must be mirrors of Jesus.
If we understand the significance of the name “Christian,” then we must realize that we have an obligation to live up to that name. We are not Catholics, Lutherans, or Calvinists. We are Christians. So, we must reflect His will alone.