The book of Acts records the establishment of the church and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. The church in Jerusalem thrived until persecution arose and caused the disciples to be scattered (Acts 8:1-4). Some of those who were scattered found their way to Antioch (Acts 11:19). Up to that point, the disciples who were scattered had only taught fellow Jews about the gospel; but in Antioch, some of them “began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20). This preaching resulted in many being taught and turning to the Lord (Acts 11:21-26). It is here in Antioch – where we find the first congregation made up of both Jews and Gentiles – that “the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26).
What does it mean that they were “called Christians”? Where did this name originate? There are two possibilities. One idea is that the term Christian was a derogatory label used by the disciples’ enemies and was later adopted by the disciples. The other idea is that this is a divine calling and that Christian was a God-given name. I believe we can use the Bible to show that the latter is true – the name Christian was a name given to the disciples by God, not by their enemies (in fact, there is not even any mention in Acts of persecution in Antioch).
Sometimes when we are trying to define terms, it is beneficial to see how the word is translated in different passages. Notice how the Greek word which is translated called (a form of the word chrematizo) is translated in a few other passages:
- Matthew 2:12 – “And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.”
- Luke 2:26 – “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” The person of God mentioned here doing the revealing is the Holy Spirit. This means that the revelation was of divine origin.
- Romans 7:3 – “So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.” Notice that this verse does not explicitly say that she will be called an adulteress by God, but it is implied by the text. She would be called an adulteress because she was in violation of God’s law regarding marriage. Paul was not referring to the law of man here. After all, if the laws of man recognize her as being “joined [married, as] to another man,” the civil authorities will not call her marriage an adulterous one. The law in this verse is God’s law. Therefore, God is the one – through what has been revealed in His marriage law – who calls her an adulteress.
- Hebrews 11:7 – “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household.”
In all of these passages, the calling, warning, or revelation was from God in heaven. When Luke recorded that “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26), it meant that God gave this name to the disciples.
This divine designation is a fulfillment of a prophecy from the book of Isaiah: “The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will designate” (Isaiah 62:2). This verse was talking about the nations (Gentiles) seeing God’s righteousness and that God would give the new name at that time. Remember what we saw in Antioch. Previously, the disciples taught the gospel “to no one except to Jews alone” (Acts 11:19); but in Antioch they “began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20). As a result, “a large number who believed turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). Isaiah was prophesying about the events in Antioch. This is why the new name was given there. In keeping with what had been prophesied, God gave the disciples a new name in Antioch. That name was Christian.
Knowing that the name Christian was given by God Himself, we must realize that it is a special name. We should consider it a privilege and an honor to wear the name Christian. We must “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” (Ephesians 4:1). We should also not use the term lightly. Many in religion have watered down the term in such a way that it almost means nothing. It is used as a label for colleges, bookstores, rock music, and nations. This use of the name is not from God, but is from men. God called disciples Christians. It is to be used for those who are followers of Christ.
