Christians

After Saul began serving in the Antioch church, the church experienced further growth. The ministry of Barnabas and Saul bore much fruit. “And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers of people; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (1) The discipleship training led by Barnabas and Saul continued for a full year. (a) Many Jewish and Gentile believers were trained. (b) It is assumed that at least one-third of the believers in this church were Gentiles. (2) “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (a) “Christians” is “Christianos” in Greek. (b) This was likely a nickname of believers given by outsiders. (c) Gentile believers were called “Christians,” meaning those who belong to Christ. (d) Jewish believers were called “Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5).

Names of the believers

(1) Jewish believers do not typically call themselves Christians for several reasons: (a) Given the history of persecution by the Christian church against Jews, the term is emotionally difficult to accept. (b) Avoiding the label “Christian” can be more effective for Jewish evangelism. (c) The term “Christian” originally carried a derogatory connotation. (2) There are several terms that Jewish believers use to describe themselves: (a) Nazarene (Acts 24:5), (b) Followers of the Way (Acts 9:2), (c) Disciples (Acts 6:1-2), (d) Believers (Acts 4:32), (e) Jews for Jesus, (f) Messianic Jews, (g) Messianic, (h) Jewish believers, (i) Jewish Christians, (j) Hebrew Christians. (3) Messianic (Hebrew) = Christian (Greek). (a) Regardless of the name, those who believe in Christ are members of God’s family. (b) God’s family shares at least three common aspects: We have been reconciled to God through Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit (the baptism by the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit), and Christ lives within us. Let us pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us pray that more Jews will accept Jesus as the Messiah (Christ). God’s promises and plans for Israel remain unchanging forever.