“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Acts 11:26 NASB.
“Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:28-29.
“Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name” 1 Peter 4:15-16.
Actually, the word “Christian” as we see it in these three verses is not the definition of the Greek word for Christian. The Greek word is Χριστιανός and what we find in all or Bible texts is nothing more than a transliteration.
The Greek word Χριστιανός (Christianos), meaning “follower of Christ”, comes from Χριστός (Christos), meaning “anointed one”, and the word χριστός meaning “anointed” and which became the Christian theological term for the Messiah. The Greek name Χρίστος is derived from the earlier word χριστός. Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One.
My thought has been for many years that we who are Believers and are immersed in water or ‘baptized, ’should not be called ‘Christian,’ but rather, “Followers of Christ.” And the question then arises, should we not refer to Christ as Messiah or The Anointed One? Should we not get this correct?
“Christians are “those of Christ” (οἱ τοῦ Χριστοῦ) (i.e., “Christ’s); they belong to Christ, as his possessions, because Christians are “slaves of Jesus Christ” (δοῦλοι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ). Of course, this is why Jesus Christ is known as our “lord,” or Greek κύριος, literally “master” (as in slave-master). Therefore, the words Christianus and Χριστιανός imply slavery. For this reason, these words were applied to Christians by non-Christians as a derogatory epithet, for the condition of servitude (slavery) was ignominious. However, believers in Christ cherished the epithet because it was a honor to be slaves of Christ, unlike other masters.” Stack Exchange, https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/
This is not a ‘first’ as a conversation, but we should get this right.
Jesus is Lord.
fencepostdigest 