What Did Christians In The Early Church Call Themselves?

but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel
ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.
1 Peter 4:16

Christ-followers today generally refer to themselves as Christians. But that wasn’t so in the early church.

In fact, it’s possible the word “Christian” was only used by unbelievers to mock believers. At the very least, it was the word they used to identify those who followed Christ.

So, what did Christians in the early church call themselves?

What Followers of Christ Called Themselves

Since those who followed Christ didn’t call themselves Christians, what did they call themselves? You probably are familiar with most of the terms they used (except for “the Way”) because they are words you will still hear today.

1) Disciples

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26)

After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples…(Acts 14:22)

And they spent a considerable time with the disciples (Acts 14:28)

2) Saints

I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem (Acts 9:13)

As Peter was traveling from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda (Acts 9:32)

Right now, I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints (Rom 15:25)

3) The Way

…so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way (Acts 9:2)

But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd…(Acts 19:9)

Since Felix was well informed about the Way…(Acts 24:22)

4) Brothers and Sisters (or Brethren)

In those days, Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (Acts 1:15)

…and they brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters (Acts 15:3)

Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message (Acts 15:32)

5) Believers

Now all the believers were together and held all things in common (Acts 2:44)

I say this to your shame! Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who is able to arbitrate between fellow believers? (1 Corinthians 6:5)

Speaking in tongues, then, is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers…(1 Corinthians 14:22)

The Term “Christian” Is Used Only Three Times in the New Testament

The term “Christian” means “belonging to the party of Christ” or “little Christs.” Notably, only unbelievers used this term, and it was most likely as a term of derision.

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26)

Although we aren’t told who first called them Christians or why, many scholars believe it was the Romans since it happened in Antioch and Christianity was spreading rapidly.

Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?” (Acts 26:28)

The Jewish authorities were not happy that Paul was preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and they wanted him dead. They formed a conspiracy to have him arrested. After his arrest, Paul defended himself before many Roman and Jewish officials.

Agrippa was the Jewish king and also wanted to hear what Paul had to say. So, Paul gave the king an account of his conversion and commission and appealed to Agrippa’s belief in the prophets as to the truth of what he was saying. In other words, Paul was witnessing to the king.

At this point, Agrippa asked Paul if he was trying to persuade him to become a Christian. Although the king didn’t believe that day, he did find Paul wasn’t doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.

You can read about Paul’s journey to Rome and subsequent arrest and trial in Acts 21:27-28:31.

But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name. (1 Pet 4:16)

Since it is believed that being called a Christian was a negative thing in the early church, Peter is saying it’s not. Rather, one should see it as a privilege and glorify God.

The same is true today, especially if an unbeliever were to mock you for your beliefs about Jesus Christ being the Savior of the world.

Why is the Term “Christian” Still Used Today?

So, how did we move from the way Christ-followers referred to themselves in the New Testament to the one word that only unbelievers called them and possibly as a way to mock them?

According to Christian Educators Academy, “The Greek historian Tacitus, writing in the early second century, refers to “Christians” being persecuted by the Roman emperor Nero in the aftermath of the Great Fire of Rome in AD 6.”

This suggests that the term was still being used and possibly had gained in popularity. It’s also possible that Christians adopted the term for themselves in light of what Peter said (1 Pet 4:16).

For whatever reason, the term “Christian” has stuck.

However, it’s important to note that the term can mean different things to different people.

Not Everyone Who Calls Themselves a Christian Is Saved

Most people who call themselves Christian think they are saved and will or hope to go to heaven when they die.

Unfortunately, the term “Christian” has become synonymous with many things other than what the Bible teaches about salvation.

In other words, just because one calls themself a Christian, it doesn’t mean they understand or believe that Jesus is the only way to be saved; that He’s the only way to be made right with God and have eternal life.

The Bible teaches there is only one way to be saved.

What you believe about Jesus matters a great deal. How you think you will get to heaven matters. People claim many things will get them there, but if what they say doesn’t align with what the Bible says and Jesus taught (Jn 14:6), their claim is wrong.

Being saved means you believe that God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for your sins so that you could have eternal life (Jn 3:16). You believe that Christ died, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3).

RELATED > > > > > How Was the Philippian Jailer Saved?

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Christ-followers did not use the term “Christian” in the early church. Rather, they called themselves:

• Disciples
• Saints
• The Way
• Brothers and sisters (or Brethren)
• Believers

Only non-believers referred to Christ-followers as Christians, and only three times that the Bible records.

Early on in history, the term gained popularity and has remained so to this day. However, being a Christian now means different things to different people.

Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is saved, so it’s important to know what the Bible says about salvation as well as what a person means when they say they are a Christian.

Do you call yourself a Christian? If so, what does it mean to you?