Christian: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Christian means something in Christianity. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. On this page you will also find search and cross-referencing tools.
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In Christianity
General definition (in Christianity)
Source: archive.org: Easton's Bible DictionaryChristian definition and references: 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 Peter 4:16).
Source: archive.org: Smith's Bible DictionaryChristian refers to:—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.
Source: archive.org: Nave's Topical BibleChristian definition and references: –Believers called Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16
–See Righteous
Christian refers to:—The name first given at Antioch to Christ's followers. In the New Testament it only occurs in 1 Peter 4:16; Acts 11:26; Acts 26:27-28. Their name among themselves was "brethren," "disciples," "those of the way" (Acts 6:1; Acts 6:3; Acts 9:2), "saints" (Romans 1:7). The Jews, since they denied that Jesus is the Christ, would never originate the name "Christians," but called them "Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5). The Gentiles confounded them with the Jews, and thought them to be a Jewish sect. But a new epoch arose in the church's development when, at Antioch, idolatrous Gentiles (not merely Jewish proselytes from the Gentiles, as the eunuch, a circumcised proselyte, and Cornelius, an uncircumcised proselyte of the gate) were converted.
Then the Gentiles needed a new name to designate people who were Jews, neither by birth nor religion. And the people of Antioch were famous for their readiness in giving names: Partisans of Christ, Christiani, as Caesariani, partisans of Caesar; a Latin name, as Antioch had become a Latin city. But the name was divinely ordered (as chreematizoo always expresses, Acts 11:26), as the new name to mark the new era, namely, that of the church's gospel missions to the Gentiles. The rarity of its use in the New Testament marks its early date, when as yet it was a name of reproach and hardly much recognized among the disciples. So in our age "Methodist," a term originally given in reproach, has gradually come to be adopted by Wesley's disciples themselves. Blunt well says: "if the Acts were a fiction, is it possible that this unobtrusive evidence of the progress of a name would have been found in it?"
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: The, The, Bride Ministry Center, The, Eternal, the, Christian, Te.
Starts with (+29): Christian Breakthrough Fellowship, Christian family fellowship center, Christian Mission, Christian Missionary Alliance Church of Edgewood, Christian outreach centre, Christian revival, Christian AG Church Gujarat, Christian AG Church Gujarat India, Christian Apostolic Church, Christian Apostolic Stedfast House Of Prayer, Christian assembly, Christian Assembly Church, Christian Assembly COGIC, Christian assembly of god church, Christian Assembly Pentecostal Church of God, Christian baptism, Christian baptist church, Christian Baptist Fellowship of Mandaluyong, Christian Believers Fellowship, Christian Bible Church.
Full-text (+2269): Quartus, Linus, Nereus, Phlegon, Herodion, Julia, Philologus, Olympas, Persis, Apelles, Chloe, Junia, Mnason, Claudia, Amplias, Hermas, Church, Manaen, Secundus, Hermes.
Relevant text
Search found 303 books and stories containing Christian, Christians, The christians; (plurals include: Christians, Christianses, The christianses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers (by Philip Schaff)
Chapter V - God sent Rain from Heaven for Marcus Aurelius Caesar in Answer to the Prayers of our People < [The Church History of Eusebius.]
The Jews commit Another Outrage upon the Christians and are punished < [The Ecclesiastical History of Socrates Scholasticus.]
Chapter XXXI < [The Works of Sulpitius Severus.]
Ante-nicene Fathers (by Alexander Roberts)
Archives of Social Sciences of Religions
Old Wine in New Wineskins: Rukuba Tradition and Christianity < [Volume 38 (1974)]
Christian Churches and Arab Christians in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan < [Volume 171 (2015)]
Beyond the Ghetto: Marina Caffiero on Italian Jewry < [Volume 205 (2024)]
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (by Srila Narayana Maharaja)
Religious Harmony < [Reports in American Newspapers]
Christianity in India < [Notes of Class Talks and Lectures]
From far off India < [Reports in American Newspapers]
Parables of Rama (by Swami Rama Tirtha)
Story 16 - Faith versus Creed < [Chapter III - Faith]
Story 173 - Spear with which Jesus was touched < [Chapter XXVIII - Faith In God]
Story 45 - The Result of Dogmatism < [Chapter VI - Ignorance]
A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings) (by Andrew Robert Fausset)