And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
"Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. when tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 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." Act 11:19-26
Would someone observing our conduct, and listening to our speech, call you or I, a Christian?
That is a huge question! That is a searching question, which goes right to the heart of the matter: Am I real!
Just to set the scene, there were several cities in the ancient world called Antioch, two of these are mentioned in the New Testament. They are: Antioch of Pisidia, mentioned in Acts 13:14-52; 14:21. And the other is Antioch of Syria, the third largest city of the Roman empire. It is at this second city where the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26), and then later, it is the church in the same city, that sends Paul and Barnabas out as missionaries (Acts 13:1-4; 14:26-28).
This Antioch of Syria was a huge city, second only to Rome and Alexandria, with an estimated population of 250,000 (some say as high as 500,000). It was a Roman city, meaning that the Christians who fled from Jerusalem, who were fleeing from the Jews, could find safety there; most of the people there were Romans, Greeks, etc, with a relatively small Jewish population, and so they could be absorbed into that population, and escape notice of the Jews.
But they did not hid, they were not silent! They lived as Christians, and spoke as Christians, speaking to the pagan population: "when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus." And so the people started to call them Christians!
The word/name "Christian," means "Christ like one," or "little Christ;" like the name "Herodians," or "Epicureans." It ties a person to a leader, not to a group, as the name "Pharisee" or "Sadducee" does.
They went from being called "disciples of Christ," to CHRISTIANS!
Disciple means a follower or a pupil; I can follow you, and be taught by you, but not be like you; I follow to learn from you, but I don't need to be conformed to you, I don't need to be like you.
The name Christian goes further, much further!
The pagan population of the 3rd largest city of the Roman Empire, sees these people fleeing for their lives from Jerusalem, because of the Jews persecution, which they knew all about, along with knowing all about the events and history of Jesus life, for it is a short 300 miles from Jerusalem to Antioch Syria, a major trade route, and they see these people not hiding and cowering, but preaching the word, preaching about Jesus: preaching about the Jewish carpenter whom the Romans, their government, the absolute world power of the time, crucified as a rebel traitor! To preach Jesus, was close to treason!
Remember the accusation: He calls himself a king!
"And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar." Joh 19:12
And preaching is more than speaking; preaching implies a more public venue, a more vehement presentation; more passion, more earnestness!
Pagan Antioch knew about Jesus and Christianity. The believers confronted a city of several hundred thousand pagans, who worshiped various demon god/spirits, telling them, "Jesus is Lord!" That was the statement, along with sprinkling a bit of incense on the sacred idol fires, that the Romans required people to make to show allegiance to the Roman state gods; failure to do that was considered treason to the State, lead to the martyrdom of many.
The people of Antioch Syria were like all the people of all the other ancient cities, they worshiped various Roman/Greek gods, invoking those gods to protect the State, the Roman Empire, and do them personal good.
The Roman legions each carried this standard, an eagle. It represents the Eagle of Jove, Jove being the "Father of the Roman state." Jove is Jupiter: same god, different name! At Antioch, where they worshiped Jupiter, the king of the gods, associated with sky and thunder, who had a significant temple in the city. The goddess Daphne, her worship being associated with immoral practices. Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, often worshiped for fertility and romance. Apollo, the god of the sun, music, and prophecy, linked to healing and arts. Bacchus, the god of wine, pleasure, and festivity, celebrated in various festivals. Diana, the goddess of the hunt and moon, often associated with nature and fertility. Think Ephesus and the riot that ensued, when Paul preached "they are not gods, which are made with hand."
It would be like us fleeing under persecution, and looking for refuge, going to Province town MA or Key West FL, and then preaching that God made the first two (2) people, Adam a male, and Eve a female, and so preach against the LGBTQ agenda.
But they did preached, and where therefore called Christians, Christ like ones!
But it was meant as a term of reproach, disgrace, and disgust, for remember, to the pagan world, Jesus was a Jew, and the Jews were hated as athiests, because they denied the gods; he was a criminal, whom the Romans had crucified! The entire population knew about Jesus trial before Herod and Pilate!
Later in Act 13, one of the leaders of the Antioch church is "Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch!" Manaen hears all about the trial directly from Herod, BEFORE he becomes a Christian, then he hears about Christ and about the True and Living God and about sin and about salvation, from these people who are fleeing for their lives, AND HE IS SAVED!
And note: the disciples did not call themselves Christians, they were called Christians, mocked with the name Christian, and again, because they were living like Jesus!
The new life within them, was manifesting itself by the life they were living. A Christian is one to whom the Holy Spirit has given new life, whom the Holy Spirit has birthed again, so being no longer dead, but alive, that life MUST express itself. If there is no expression of life, you are still dead!
And so, they received the derisive title: CHRISTIAN.
Because in their speaking:
"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." Php 2:15-16
And because in their living:
"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:" 1Pe 4:1-4
"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." 1Pe 4:16
And in turning from false religion:
"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;" 1Th 1:9
And us? What about us? Is there enough evidence against me, that people could say "Ray is a Christian!"
Are we afraid to be known as Christians, and being afraid, we are silent?
After being imprisoned for a night, and while being interrogated by the Jewish authorities, "Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Act 4:19-20
Do our families know we are bible believing Christians? Our fellow workers? Our neighbors?
With regard to the sins that are rampant in America today, are we silent? Not that we are to Christianize society, and in that way bring in Chris's Kingdom, but we are to call sin, sin: abortion, same sex marriage, the gender issues, divorce, materialism, and on and on and on and on!
"And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wicked one," (1Jn 5:19), and he is doing a great job of deceiving people, and leading them straight to hell!
And these our brothers and sisters, these ex-Jews who fled from Jerusalem to Antioch Syria, preaching Jesus as they went, such that they were mockingly called Christians, who are now already in heaven waiting for us, what are they saying about us?
We tend to think of Jesus as meek and mild Jesus, un-offensive Jesus, never ruffling a feather Jesus; that is not the Jesus of the bible!
May the Lord help me to be 10 times more bold than I am!
26 October 2025