In what year were the disciples first called Christians in Antioch?
“Use of this name began in 40 A.D. woth the believers in Antioch. We find it in Acts 11:25-26.
The Way was the first name given to the community of believers in Jesus Christ. How did it transition to the name “Christian?”
www.lancasterfarming.com
What were the earliest disciples called before they were called Christians?
”As followers of Christ, we are known as Christians around the world. But few Christians know that the believers in the first century were known by other names, as well as being called a sect amongst the prevalent beliefs of the times. “Even though ‘Christianity’ today, clearly differentiates between the Jews, and sometimes goes to the extent of having nothing to do with the Jewish people, the 1st Century believers moved about, mainly amongst the Jewish people. (Not to mention that the majority of the believer were Jewish.) They worshipped at the Temple of Jerusalem, and attended the Synagogue on the Sabbath.
In this short study we will look into the 3 names which were used to refer to the believers in Christ, mentioned in the New Testament writings.
Christians
The term ‘Christian’ is a Greek term … that means ‘Like the Anointed’ or ‘Follower of the Anointed’. (Christ means ‘The Anointed one’). Even though this name became the most popular term to refer to the ‘believers’, it is only mentioned thrice in the New Testament. …
The Way
The name which was widely used for the believers, and is most unknown to Christians today would be the title ‘The Way’. Probably originating from Christ Himself, who called Himself ‘The Way’ (Joh 14:6), this name was widely used in the book of Acts. The below verses prove that they were known more widely as ‘the Way’ than the ‘Christians’, especially as Paul introduced himself as a follower of ‘the Way’ to the Governor, and not as a ‘Christian’ (Acts 24:14), even though they were known as ‘Christians’ by Acts 11:26. …
The Nazarenes
Another name which was used to refer to the early believers was ‘the Nazarenes’, originating from Yeshua, the Nazarene … .
The early believers were also known as a sect.
The word ‘Sect’ meant ‘a group of people with somewhat different religious beliefs (typically regarded as heretical) from those of a larger group to which they belong.’ …
Conclusion
The point of this study is not to ask anyone to start calling themselves ‘The Way’ or ‘The Nazarenes’, but to point all ‘Christians’ to see how things were, and how they are today. The Early Church was firmly planted in and amongst the Jews. The very people that Messiah came to save (Mat 15:24) are now regarded by the Christians as Strangers. The very body He wanted to unite, wants to clearly separate themselves from each other. ‘Judaism is for the Jews’ and ‘Christianity is for the Gentiles’ has outweighed the words of Yeshua who said ‘there shall be one Flock’ (Joh 10:16) and the words of Paul who said ‘there are no more Jew or Greek’ (Gal 3:28). 2000 years of separation from the roots of our faith, has made ‘Christianity’ into a Religion which is far from ‘The Way’ which was preached by a ‘Nazarene‘. This is a call to start really reading the Scriptures with eyes and spirit wide open. We must know where we come from, to know where we are headed.”
As followers of Christ, we are known as Christians around the world. But few Christians know that the believers in the first century were known by other names, as well as being called a sect amongs…
biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com
