The Title Christian

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Today at lunch with a friend we talked about the title of “christian” and it’s origins. Many of us today use the title like a membership of sorts not really knowing where the title originated. We see it in the New Testament and usually just pass on by without a thought because it is a title that most of use to show our religious affiliation. Sadly, most of us seldom acknowledge what that title actually means, and why it came about. So here is a excerpt from Vines Expository that will help in understanding the origins of the title, why it was given, and what it represents.
 
Christian
[ 1,,G5546, christianos ]

Christian,” a word formed after the Roman style, signifying an adherent of Jesus, was first applied to such by the Gentiles and is found in Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16.

Though the word rendered “were called” in Acts 11:26 (See under CALL) might be used of a name adopted by oneself or given by others, the “Christians” do not seem to have adopted it for themselves in the times of the Apostles. In 1 Peter 4:16, the Apostle is speaking from the point of view of the persecutor; cp. “as a thief,” “as a murderer.” Nor is it likely that the appellation was given by Jews. As applied by Gentiles there was no doubt an implication of scorn, as in Agrippa’s statement in Acts 26:28. Tacitus, writing near the end of the first century, says, “The vulgar call them Christians. The author or origin of this denomination, Christus, had, in the reign of Tiberius, been executed by the procurator, Pontius Pilate” (Annals xv. 44). From the second century onward the term was accepted by believers as a title of honor.

The reference to CALL has this understanding:
Call, Called, Calling
[ A-11,Verb,G5337, chrematizo ]
occasionally means “to be called or named,” Acts 11:26 (of the name “Christians”) and Romans 7:3, the only places where it has this meaning. Its primary significance, “to have business dealings with,” led to this. They “were (publicly) called” Christians, because this was their chief business.
We believers, followers of Jesus Christ are called ones as stated in Romans 1:6 “And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” In short, the title of Christian today, as it was in the second century, means “we are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is not belonging to a particular organization or sect. Being a Christian is not a title showing you belong to a unique club. Being a Christian is to let everyone know that you belong to Jesus Christ because you were called, and answered that call to follow Him. Today, those who call them themselves Christian should understand precisely what that means.
 
Read God’s Word; Choose life, rather than death. The choice is yours.

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