Christian

From: Concise Bible Dictionary: C By: George A. Morrish

• 1 min. read • grade level: 12

A title first applied to professed believers at Antioch (Acts 11:26²⁶And 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 11:26)). Agrippa used it when addressing Paul (Acts 26:28²⁸Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28)). Peter accepts it, saying that to suffer as a “Christian” is a cause of thanksgiving (1 Pet. 4:16¹⁶Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:16)).

It was not long, alas! before the outward profession of Christ became separated from true faith in Him in the great mass who were recognized as Christians in the world, and in practice they became anything but followers of Christ, as both scripture and history show. To learn what Christianity is according to God, we must turn, not to the great professing body, but to the scriptures, which testify clearly of the declension which was even then begun.

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