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).

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 Gentile world. There is no reason to suppose that the name “Christian” of itself was intended as a term of scurrility or abuse, though it would naturally be used with contempt.

CHRIS'TIAN. Acts 26:28. This was a name given to the followers of our Saviour, and its proper beautiful meaning is "a follower of Christ." The Christians called themselves first "disciples," "believers," "brethren," "saints." The name "Christian" originated at Antioch. Acts 11:26, about the year 42 or 43, and probably (like the names " Nazarenes " and "Galilgeans ") as a term of reproach or contempt. The word occurs in only three places in the New Testament -viz. in the two passages before cited and in 1 Pet 4:16, where it is implied that the very name was associated with reproach and suffering. Tacitus (b. about a.d. 54), a profane historian, tells us of the low or vulgar people called the followers of Christ, or Christians. The term Christian is now employed (1) in contradistinction to pagans, Jews, and Mohammedans, and (2) to denote the open professors of religion, in contradistinction from those who are not professors. In some countries it is still a term of bitter reproach, and the assumption of it is attended with persecution, cruelty, and death. The Christian religion is received at the present day (as it is supposed) by nearly one-third of the inhabitants of the world -i. e. over 400,000,000 among 1,460,000,000. But in point of intelligence, civilization, and influence on the world the Christian nations far surpass all other nations combined. One of the most recent estimates is the following:

CHRIS'TIAN. Acts 26:28. This was a name given to the followers of our Saviour, and its proper beautiful meaning is "a follower of Christ." The Christians called themselves first "disciples," "believers," "brethren," "saints." The name "Christian" originated at Antioch. Acts 11:26, about the year 42 or 43, and probably (like the names " Nazarenes " and "Galilgeans ") as a term of reproach or contempt. The word occurs in only three places in the New Testament -viz. in the two passages before cited and in 1 Pet 4:16, where it is implied that the very name was associated with reproach and suffering. Tacitus (b. about a.d. 54), a profane historian, tells us of the low or vulgar people called the followers of Christ, or Christians. The term Christian is now employed (1) in contradistinction to pagans, Jews, and Mohammedans, and (2) to denote the open professors of religion, in contradistinction from those who are not professors. In some countries it is still a term of bitter reproach, and the assumption of it is attended with persecution, cruelty, and death. The Christian religion is received at the present day (as it is supposed) by nearly one-third of the inhabitants of the world -i. e. over 400,000,000 among 1,460,000,000. But in point of intelligence, civilization, and influence on the world the Christian nations far surpass all other nations combined. One of the most recent estimates is the following:

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. One who believes, or professes or is assumed to believe, in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by Him; especially, one whose inward and outward life is conformed to the doctrines of Christ. The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts xi. 26.

2. One born in a Christian country or of Christian parents, and who has not definitely becomes an adherent of an opposing system.

3. One of a Christian denomination which rejects human creeds as bases of fellowship, and sectarian names. They are congregational in church government, and baptize by immersion. They are also called Disciples of Christ, and Campbellites.

4. One of a sect (called Christian Connection) of open-communion immersionists. The Bible is their only authoritative rule of faith and practice.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

1. Pertaining to Christ or his religion; as, Christian people.

2. Pertaining to the church; ecclesiastical; as, a Christian court. Blackstone.

3. Characteristic of Christian people; civilized; kind; kindly; gentle; beneficent. The graceful tact; the Christian art. Tennyson. Christian Commission. See under Commission. -- Christian court. Same as Ecclesiastical court. -- Christian era, the present era, commencing with the birth of Christ. It is supposed that owing to an error of a monk (Dionysius Exiguus, d. about 556) employed to calculate the era, its commencement was fixed three or four years too late, so that 1890 should be 1893 or 1894. -- Christian name, the name given in baptism, as distinct from the family name, or surname.