Acts 11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
After persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem many believed and turned to the Lord at Antioch, so Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to help and brought Paul to labor with him there a whole year assembling with the church and teaching many people.
Antioch was the populous metropolis of Syria, a city of extensive trade and many nationalities known for wealth, culture, luxury and vice, giving Paul an excellent field where his learning, wisdom and zeal gave him powerful influence.
The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch because Christ was the central subject of their preaching, teaching, conversation and prayers.
They spoke continually of his earthly life and teachings, his miracles of healing the sick, casting out devils and raising the dead, his agony, betrayal, trial, suffering and death endured with forbearance and pity for his persecutors, and his resurrection and ascension and work in heaven as Mediator for fallen humanity.
The name fit them because they preached Christ and prayed to God through him, first given to them by the heathen, and it is a royal name given by God to all who join themselves to Christ.
Ministry at Antioch
The verse belongs to the spread of the gospel after the martyrdom of Stephen, when fierce persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem. Those who were scattered preached Christ in the surrounding cities to Hebrew and Greek Jews, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Because of this growth, Barnabas was sent from the believers in Jerusalem to help the church at Antioch.
Antioch was the metropolis of Syria, a major city with extensive trade and people of many nationalities. It was populous and known for wealth, culture, luxury, and vice. Its culture and population made it a place of wide influence and great need.
Barnabas labored there with great success, and as the work increased he brought Paul to Antioch to help him. The two worked together there for a whole year, assembling with the church and teaching many people. By their labor the church grew in numbers and many gained a saving knowledge of Jesus. Antioch gave Paul an excellent field for labor, where his great learning, wisdom, and zeal combined gave him powerful influence over its inhabitants and its frequent visitors.
Meaning of Christian Name
It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. The name was given to them because Christ was the central subject of their preaching, their teaching, their conversation, and their prayers. They spoke continually of His earthly life and teachings, His healing miracles, His suffering and death, His resurrection and ascension, and His work in heaven as Mediator for fallen humanity.
They continually recounted the incidents of His life from the time His disciples had His personal company, dwelling untiringly on His teachings and His miracles of healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead. With quivering lips and tearful eyes they spoke of His agony in the garden, His betrayal, trial, and execution, the forbearance and humility with which He endured insult and torture from His enemies, and the Godlike pity with which He prayed for those who persecuted Him. His resurrection and ascension and His work in heaven as Mediator for fallen man were joyful topics with them. Since they preached Christ and addressed their prayers to God through Him, they were fittingly called Christians.
The name was first given to them by the heathen. Christian is a royal name given by God to all who join themselves to Christ, identifying people who belong to Him.