There is great weight in a name. Names in the Bible often reflect character, calling, or destiny. But the name “Christian” didn’t begin as a badge of honor, it was a label of mockery. Yet it is the name we now hold dearly, a name that connects us to Christ Himself. This study will explore where the name originated, how it was first used, and how believers came to embrace what was meant to shame them.
The First Use of the Term “Christian”
The first mention of the word “Christian” in the Bible is found in the Book of Acts. After the persecution following Stephen’s martyrdom, many believers scattered. Some of them went as far as Antioch, preaching the Lord Jesus. And it says,
“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).
This was not a name they gave themselves. The wording shows it was given to them, likely by unbelievers. Antioch was a Greek city known for satire and mockery. To call someone a “Christian” was to label them as followers of “Christos,” or “little Christs,” in a derogatory way. The intent was slander. But the church didn’t reject it, they wore it. Because if being like Christ was mock-worthy, then so be it.
What Does “Christian” Mean?
The suffix “-ian” in Greek and Latin indicated belonging to or being aligned with someone. So a Christian is literally “one who belongs to Christ.” This echoes Paul’s words,
“And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).
And again,
“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9).
A Christian is not someone who attends church, but one who is in Christ, filled with His Spirit, and bears His name because they reflect His character. It’s not just a title—it’s an identity rooted in relationship and obedience.
Peter’s Use of the Term
The second time the word appears in Scripture is also telling. Peter writes to believers who are enduring suffering and persecution, and he says,
“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:16).
Peter acknowledges the shame associated with the term. Society used it to demean. But he flips it by telling them to not be ashamed of being called a Christian. Glorify God in it. It was a term of reproach in Roman culture, often associated with rebellion, atheism (for rejecting Roman gods), and disorder. But for the believer, it was a name of belonging.
The Historical Weight of the Name
Early Church history shows that “Christian” continued to be used as a term of mockery. Roman historians like Tacitus and Suetonius used the term with contempt. Nero blamed the fire of Rome on the “Christians,” and the name became associated with troublemakers. Yet the Church grew. Why? Because the name pointed to Christ, and His name was worth suffering for.
As time passed, the Church embraced the term fully. By the second century, Christian apologists like Justin Martyr and Ignatius of Antioch were calling themselves Christians with honor. Ignatius even wrote, “It is not that I want merely to be called a Christian, but to actually be one.”
Through martyrdom and missions, through persecution and preaching, the name Christian spread throughout the Roman Empire. The label intended to shame became a declaration of faith.
Reclaiming the Name Today
In today’s culture, “Christian” is often used casually. Many bear the name but do not live the life. But biblically, the name carries weight. Jesus said,
“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34).
To be a Christian is to live crucified with Christ, to no longer live for self, but for Him who died and rose again. It is to reflect His love, His truth, His righteousness. The early Church didn’t call themselves Christians lightly. It was a name earned by how they lived and who they served. Paul told Timothy,
“Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19).
The name demands holiness. It demands boldness. And it demands surrender. Let us not take lightly what others died to wear.
My Final Thoughts
The term “Christian” was first spoken in mockery, yet embraced by the faithful. It means we belong to Christ, and that we follow Him, suffer for Him, and live like Him. It is not a title we earn, but one we honor by the life we live. In a world where the name is misused and misunderstood, let us reclaim its true meaning. If we bear the name of Christ, let our lives declare it boldly and purely. May the world see Jesus when they see us.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
