And They Were First Called Christians in Antioch..." (ecumentical)

Orthodox Research Institute ^ | by Rev. Elias Audi (now Metropolitan of Beirut)

[restornu]

I have asked a question when were Saints first called Christians?

[restornu]

Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch, the place where the followers of Jesus were called Christians for the first time (Acts 11:26; Eusebius Eccl. Hist. 3.22.36 and Origen, Hom. 6 In Luc). The impor­tance of Antioch as a center of apostolic Christianity cannot be overestimated. It was the first center of outreach to the Gentiles (Acts 11:20) and the base from which Paul and Barna­bas were sent out on their missionary journeys (Acts 13:2-3; 15: 35-41; 18:22-23). Peter, too, spent some time there prior to relocating in Rome (Gal 2:11). Ignatius is therefore an important testi­mony to the way in which the teaching of these apostles was remem­bered by this eminent Church. Yet his letters reflect not only the apostolic tradition as preserved by Antioch; many of the churches to which he wrote, such as that of Ephesus, were also founded by those of the apos­tolic generation. So the letters witness to a common apostolic patrimony as understood and lived probably only a decade or two after the writing of John’s Gospel.

http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/51/Ignatius_of_Antioch_and_the_Faith_of_the_Early_Christian_Martyrs.html

[restornu]

So in reality the Bible in the NT is a record of the interaction between the Lord and His Saints and when the Lord priesthood was no longer on earth the name was changed to call the followers Christians of Jesus Christ!

[Kolokotronis]

This must be a relatively old article. His Beatitude Ignatius IV has been Patriarch of Antioch and All the East since 1979. That said, the Church of Antioch and its Patriarchate are among the crown jewels of The Church.

[newberger]

Actually, this is wrong.

“And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christian.”

Is found in Acts 11:26 and was written by Luke in the middle of the first century, long before the apostolic age ended.

[delacoert]

I have asked a question when were Saints first called Christians?

That question is backwards since believers at Antioch were first called saints, then they were referred to as Christians.

The word “saint” comes from Latin sanctis which was a translation of the Greek αγιοις (Hagion). The first recorded use of the term “saint” to describe the early believers in Antioch can be found in the New Testament in Acts 9:13.
 
απεκριθη δε ανανιας κυριε ηκουσα απο πολλων περι του ανδρος τουτου οσα κακα τοις αγιοις σου εποιησεν εν ιερουσαλημ (Greek)

respondit autem Ananias Domine audivi a multis de viro hoc quanta mala sanctis tuis fecerit in Hierusalem (Latin Vulgate)

Then Ananias answered, Lord,I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: (King James Version)
 

The word “Christian” comes from Greek Χριστιανός (christianos). The first known usage of the term Χριστιανός (christianos) can be found in the New Testament in Acts 11:26.
 
και ευρων ηγαγεν εις αντιοχειαν εγενετο δε αυτοις και ενιαυτον ολον συναχθηναι εν τη εκκλησια και διδαξαι οχλον ικανον χρηματισαι τε πρωτως εν αντιοχεια τους μαθητας χριστιανους (Greek)

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. (King James Version)

[delacoert]

Incorrect. (An exclamation point doesn't make it truer.)

As indicated in #7, believers in Antioch were referred to as saints before being called Christians. Believers were repeatedly referred to as saints in the New Testament.

[restornu]

That question is backwards since believers at Antioch were first called saints, then they were referred to as Christians.

Well the Bible says different the name Saint was used in the OT and NT way before the name Christian appears 3 times in the NT.

This reference was first given to believers in Jesus Christ at Antioch in Syria, about A.D. 43

This is 10 years after the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Acts 11
26 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. about A.D. 43

Acts 26:
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

1 Pet. 4:
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

But the Book of Mormon it would support your premise of being used before that time

Alma 46
Amalickiah conspires to be king—Moroni raises the title of liberty—He rallies the people to defend their religion—True believers are called Christians—A remnant of Joseph shall be preserved—Amalickiah and the dissenters flee to the land of Nephi—Those who will not support the cause of freedom are put to death. Between 73 and 72 B.C.

12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—

14 For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.

15 And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.

[restornu]

Incorrect. (An exclamation point doesn’t make it truer.)

How many times have I said this, I am self taught being the fact I am dyslexic so grammer is not my strong communication in this forum!

Dyslexia was not recognized when I was going to school!

[delacoert]

That question is backwards since believers at Antioch were first called saints, then they were referred to as Christians.

Well the Bible says different the name Saint was used in the OT and NT way before the name Christian appears 3 times in the NT.

But that's what I just...

...oh nevermind. <rolleyes>

[restornu]

This is an ecumentical thread please use that for those unkind threads!

[lucias_clay]

Thankfully we don’t have to depend upon the fickle reason of man to establish truth. The Church gave us scripture and has anathematized the doctrines that you later seem to suggest including later inspired works.

The Church being the pillar and foundation of truth, and being given all authority by Christ has dealt with the deeper issue being raised with this question.

[delacoert]

How many times have I said this, I am self taught being the fact I am dyslexic so grammer is not my strong communication in this forum!

Dyslexia does not impair reasoning. I have never criticized your grammar, and I never will.

[restornu]

(An exclamation point doesn’t make it truer.)

[delacoert]

I am sorry that my comment about your use of an exclamation was offensive. I meant it in the same sense as saying, “The truth isn’t truer because you say it at the top of your voice (as in shouting).” Your use of an exclamation point was grammatically correct, and I never meant to say otherwise.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“So in reality the Bible in the NT is a record of the interaction between the Lord and His Saints and when the Lord priesthood was no longer on earth the name was changed to call the followers Christians of Jesus Christ!

Restornu, I am not sure I see the removal of “the Lord priesthood” from the earth in the article you posted.

Can you elaborate please? Perhaps list some passages from the Bible, in the spirit of ecumenticalism?

thanks,
ampu

[svcw]

For instance: Christians of Jesus Christ makes no sense.

By most definitions Christians are followers of Jesus Christ.

My granny used to say: Christian mean: without Christ I am nothing.