Christian

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notmartha
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Christian

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BIBLICAL REFERENCE

The word “Christian” is found in the KJV (3) times. Strong’s #5546, it is translated from the Greek word Χριστιανός, transliterated as Christianos, meaning follower of 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.

Acts 26:28 - Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
1 Peter 4:16 - Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.


The Antiquities of the Jews, The Works of Flavius Josephus, Book 18, Chapter 3
3. Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.
Smith’s Bible Dictionary, William Smith, 1884
CHRISTIAN

The disciples, we are told, Acts 11:26 were first called Christians at Antioch on the Orontes, somewhere about A.D. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, brethren, Acts 15:1, 23; 1 Cor 7:12 disciples, Acts 9:26; 11:29 believers, Acts 5:14 saints, Roma 8:27; 15:25 The name "Christian," which, in the only other cases where it appears in the New Testament, Acts 26:28; 1 Pet 4:16 is used contemptuously, could not have been applied by the early disciples to themselves, but was imposed upon them by the Gentile world. There is no reason to suppose that the name "Christian" of itself was intended as a term of scurrility or abuse, though it would naturally be used with contempt.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, Matthew George Easton, 1897
Christian

The name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1Pe 4:16).
Word Studies in the New Testament, Marvin Vincent, 1886
Acts 11:26
The disciples were called [Christians]. They did not assume the name themselves. It occurs in only three passages in the New Testament: here; ch. 26:28; and 1 Peter 4:16; and only in the last-named passage is used by a Christian of a Christian. The name was evidently not given by the Jews of Antioch, to whom Christ was the interpretation of Messiah, and who wouldn't have bestowed that name on those whom they despised as apostates. The Jews designated the Christians as Nazarenes (Acts 24:5), a term of contempt, because it was a proverb that nothing good could come out of Nazareth (John 1:47), The name was probably not assumed by the disciples themselves; for they were in the habit of styling each other believers, disciples, saints, brethren, those of the way. It, doubtless, was bestowed by the Gentiles. Some suppose that it was applied as a term of ridicule, and cite the witty and sarcastic character of the people of Antioch, and their notoriety for inventing names of derision; but this is doubtful. The name may have been given simply as a distinctive title, naturally chosen from the recognized and avowed devotion of the disciples to Christ as their leader. The Antiochenes mistook the nature of the name, not understanding its use among the disciples as an official title—the Anointed—but using it as a personal name, which they converted into a party name.
1 Peter 4:16
Only three times in the New Testament, and never as a name used by Christians themselves, but as a nickname or a term of reproach. See on Acts 11:26. Hence Peter's idea is, if any man suffer from the contumely of those who contemptuously style him Christian.
DEFINITIONS

Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language, 1828
CHRISTIAN, noun
1. A believer in the religion of Christ.
2. A professor of his belief in the religion of Christ.
3. A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety.
4. In a general sense, the word Christians includes all who are born in a christian country or of christian parents.

CHRISTIAN, adjective [See the Noun.]
1. Pertaining to Christ, taught by him, or received from him; as the christian religion; christian doctrines.
2. Professing the religion of Christ; as a christian friend.
3. Belonging to the religion of Christ; relating to Christ, or to his doctrines, precepts and example; as christian profession and practice.
4. Pertaining to the church; ecclesiastical; as courts christian

CHRISTIAN, verb transitive To baptize.
Bouvier’s Law Dictionary, 1856
CHRISTIANITY.

1. The religion established by Jesus Christ.

2. Christianity has been judicially declared to be a part of the common law of Pennsylvania; 11 Serg. & Rawle, 394; 5 Binn. R.555; of New York, 8 Johns. R. 291; of Connecticut, 2 Swift's System, 321; of Massachusetts, Dane's Ab. vol. 7, c. 219, a. 2, 19. To write or speak contemptuously and maliciously against it, is an indictable offence. Vide Cooper on the Law of Libel, 59 and 114, et seq.; and generally, 1 Russ. on Cr. 217; 1 Hawk, c. 5; 1 Vent. 293; 3 Keb. 607; 1 Barn. & Cress. 26. S. C. 8 Eng. Com. Law R. 14; Barnard. 162; Fitzgib. 66; Roscoe, Cr. Ev. 524; 2 Str. 834; 3 Barn. & Ald. 161; S. C. 5 Eng. Com. Law R. 249 Jeff. Rep. Appx. See 1 Cro. Jac. 421 Vent. 293; 3 Keb. 607; Cooke on Def. 74; 2 How. S. C. 11 ep. 127, 197 to 201.

Black’s Law Dictionary, 1st Edition, 1891, 2nd Edition, 1910
CHRISTIAN.

Pertaining to Jesus Christ or the religion founded by him; professing Christianity. The adjective is also used in senses more remote from its original meaning. Thus a “court Christian" is an ecclesiastical court; a “ Christian name" is that conferred upon a person at baptism into the Christian church. As a noun, it signifies one who accepts and professes to live by the doctrines and principles of the Christian religion.
The Century Dictionary, an Encyclopedic Lexicon of the English Language, 1895
Christian

1. Pertaining to or derived from Christ or his teachings: as, the Christian religion.

2. Received into the body of the church of Christ; acting in the manner, or having the spiritual character, proper to a follower of Christ: as, a Christian man.

3. Having adopted or believing in the religion of Christ: as, a Christian nation; a Christian community.

4. In accord with or exhibiting the spirit of the teachings of Christ : as, Christian conduct.

5. Ecclesiastical.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English, 1919
Christian (-istshn), a. & n. (Person) believing in, professing, or belonging to, the religion of Christ (also as adj. of communities); of Christ or his religion ; (person) showing character consistent with Christ's teaching, of genuine piety, Christ-like, (also as adj. of conduct, feelings, communities, &c.) ; human (person) as opposed to bride, brutal ; (slang) civilized, decent, (person) ; C. name, given at baptism ; C. era, reckoned from supposed birth of Christ ; C. science, scientist, (adherent of) a system of combating disease &c. without medical treatment by mental effect of patient's C. faith.
Ballentine’s Law Dictionary, James A. Ballentine, Third Edition, 1969
Christian.

A person who believes in the teachings of Christ.
Black’s Law Dictionary, 4th Edition, 1968, 5th Edition, 1979
CHRISTIAN.

Pertaining to Jesus Christ or the religion founded by him; professing Christianity. As a noun, it signifies one who accepts and professes to live by the doctrines and principles of the Christian religion; it does not include Mohammedans, Jews, pagans, or infidels. State v. Buswell, 40 Neb. 158, 58 N.W. 728, 24 L.R.A. 68.

One who believes or professes or is assumed to believe in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by Him. Conway v. Third Nat. Bank & Trust Co., 118 N.J.Eq. 61, 177 A. 113, 116.
MISCELLANEOUS CITATIONS

Christianity: A Successful Failure; Tim Spiess, 2018
Christian:

A Christian is a person who has God beliefs received primarily from their religious leaders, and other claimed experts, and those leader's and experts understandings of the bible or other “sacred writings.” Christians are those who claim “Jesus Christ” as their God or figurehead yet who do not, in general, live by the historical person Joshua of Nazareth's core teachings as found in the four gospel books.
Compared to:
Disciple of Jesus of Nazareth:

A person who has only the historical Person of Joshua of Nazareth as their Master and thus who looks only to him as the sole objective standard (his words alone as were captured in the four gospel books). Using Joshua's teachings as the foundation, disciples also value and use reason and logic to understand God – who God is, what God is like, what God wants and how to treat and live with other people.
Rev. Daniel W. Kerr, 1844
"The meaning of the word Christian is a follower of Christ. They who embrace the opinions and sentiments of others, and look up to them for direction and instruction in any of the arts and sciences, or in any of the systems of religion, are properly their disciples; and are generally distinguished by certain distinctive and appropriate names, descriptive of such discipleship and adherence to particular systems. Hence the followers of Pythagoras and Plato are denominated Pythagoreans and Platonists, and the followers of Mahomet, Mahometans, after their several masters. And hence the followers of Christ are called Christians, after Christ their Master. And it should be considered a matter of no little importance to the followers of Christ, to be distinguished by no other title than that of Christian, a name every way suitable to their holy profession, and as entirely adapted to their peculiar circumstances, as being the disciples of Him who has said His kingdom is not of this world. If this name, as we believe, be of divine appointment, it very forcibly occurs that no option is left to the disciple of Christ as to the choice of names. He must take that name which his Master has given him, and with His consent be called by no other. His enemies, by way of derision, may stigmatize him by any epithet they may think proper to use. But for himself, let him rejoice and not be ashamed to suffer as a Christian. There is something strange in the idea, that the disciples of Christ should consent to be called by other names, even by those of other eminent disciples, such as Luther, Calvin, Wesley, and so forth. It might be asked in the language of the apostles, Were these eminent saints and reformers crucified for you? or were you baptized in their names? And if you were not baptized in their names, how can you with consistency be denominated after them? I know that many pious and holy persons attach little or no importance to names; and conceive that if they possess the thing signified by the same, it is a matter of no importance by what name they may be called. In this indifferency about names, many errors have been committed. The name Christian, with the thing signified thereby, constitutes the sum total of religion. It is always proper and correct to call things by their appropriate names. If we are Christians, why not be called by this title and no other? A rigid adherence to this course would long since have ended these divisions and sub-divisions which most painfully harass and perplex the church of Christ; but there are some who contend that the name Christian was bestowed upon the disciples at Antioch by their enemies, as an appellation of reproach. For this opinion I can find no evidence, either in the word of God or elsewhere. We may, therefore, conclude it to be a mere assumption.
For comparison, see also:

JEW
JUDEO-CHRISTIAN
ASHKENAZI
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