The Name Christian by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1857

The Name Christian.

By Editor

A CORRESPONDENT writes, inquiring what right we have to be called by the above title, and saying that he considers it a term of reproach and "a foul stigma upon his Master."

We do not think this conclusion tenable. The name occurs three times in the New Testament, namely, Acts xi, 26. "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Chap. xxvi, 28. "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." 1 Pet. iv, 16. "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed."

In the text first quoted, who applies to the disciples the name Christian? Was it given to them by their enemies, did they assume it themselves, or did they receive it from Paul and Barnabas? If we can find a satisfactory answer to any of these questions, it will determine at once the use of the word.

The ground which we take is that the name was given to the disciples by Paul and Barnabas themselves. By reference to the Greek it will be seen that the verb, "were called," is in exactly the same construction with "assembled" and "taught" preceding it. The declaration about the disciples being called Christians is, in our version, written as a distinct sentence; but in the original is not so, it being only a clause of the preceding. It might therefore be rendered, "And it came to pass, that they assembled themselves with the church, and that they taught much people, and that they called the disciples Christians first at Antioch. And one translation, according to Dr. Clarke, the Codex Bezæ, reads the passage in this manner. In regard moreover to the word chrematizo, rendered, were called, it might be remarked that it is defined to mean "to appoint warn or nominate by divine direction." Therefore it was not wholly without the sanction of inspiration that the name, Christian, was applied to believers.

The name is evidently derived from Christ, and it is plain that some name would be necessary to distinguish the followers of Christ from other classes. The appellation of disciples or believers would be indefinite, for Plato had disciples, and believers, and so did Pythagoras, and so did Socrates.

There is nothing in the other two instances where the word occurs, to prohibit its being the divinely appointed name for believers on the Lord Jesus Christ. Does not James have reference also to the same thing when he says, [chap ii, 7.] "Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called?"