(Acts 11 from Bible Gateway NIV version) 19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 27During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Why would I want to disassociate myself with the term “Christian?” These disciples did everything I would hope to do as a believer in Christ, a disciple. They preached and shared the gospel, they took care of those in need within the body, they spent time hearing good teaching, they supported each other. Moreover, they had the Holy Spirit, they had faith. They are the ones called Christian, what gives people the idea that those persecuting them were the ones who labeled them as such? Maybe it was the name given by Romans…but it has stuck for a reason.
It seems to me the seeker friendly style churches miss something when they refuse to use the name Christian. They say they want to have numbers added to them, they want to meet the needs of others and serve in love, and yet don’t call themselves Christian? Those who were called Christian in Antioch had it right, so I’d rather associate with them and not rename myself just to make those around me who don’t believe in Christ more comfortable.
I am a C...I am a CH...I am a CHRISTIAN 
Personally I continue to use the term Christian as a way to describe my life, but I think you greatly misunderstand two things in your latest post.
1. You argue (without pointing to any example btw) that “seeker” Churches drop the word Christian, but you don’t reference what term they might use instead. The churches that I know that might fall in this category usually prefer to use terms like “Christ-follower” or “disciple of Jesus” but it’s not as though they drop the word Christian and use no synonymous term to replace it.
2. When believers in Antioch named themselves as Christian the term had never been used before, so the only association people could make with the name Christian was with Jesus Christ. Two-thousand years later “Christian” has now been used by murderous crusaders, power hungry princes, scheming tele-evangelists, sexually perverted priests, racist bigots, etc. Those who might prefer to use another term to describe their faith in Christ do so not because they are embarrassed by the Lord or by the Chrisitans in Antioch but by they are ashamed of the association many in the world now make with that term because of those who have misused it. (And the arugment is that people stay away from a relationship with Christ because of the associations they make with that particular word).
Like you, it is certainly my preference to use the word Christian, if for no other reason than to re-define the word for the world. But I understand those who prefer to call themselves Christ-followers or disciples of Jesus given all of the cultural baggage the world associates with that word. I’ve heard people describe themselves as “Christian” as a way of saying they are not Jewish, but they aren’t followers of Christ.
I just find this post unfair and dismissive and would hope you would be more thoughtful and careful in talking about other brothers and sisters in Christ.
Blessings
I didn’t reference an example partly because I have come from a church that is seeker friendly. It was my experience that Christ Followers was the term replacing Christian and the reason was so as not to be as offensive. We were told by an elder that the term Christian was offensive to enough that it turned them away, but Christ Followers was less offensive somehow. I believe that is a sad reason to switch, yes there are those who have misused the term but replacing it with a new word does not take away any offense. Especially considering how we were treated by some calling themselves “Christ Followers.” No term will be perfect enough in the long run, why not stick with the one in Acts that the disciples WERE called as stated in the biblical text.
I have run across people who are commenting on this blog who have dropped the word “Christian” all together.
People stay away from a relationship with Christ because they are sinners. Period. We are not saved because of the terms we use. We are saved by Christ through faith. Hard words, but it’s biblical.
An example of Christ Followers attacking “brothers and sisters in Christ” if indeed they are saved…I don’t know them….and this is one reason I am frustrated with seeker friendly attempts to replace words with more hip terms.
Not to get in a long argument with you, but I find the “biblical argument” specious. Believers were called by many titles in the New Testament. The first believers were obviously called “disciples” which is the term Jesus used. Believers are called “followers of the Way” (Acts 22:4), they are called “children of Light” (Eph. 4 and 5), and they are regularly referred to as “the Church.” I fail to understand why people choosing a synonym for describing the same living reality (for the purpose of evangelism) was enough for you to break fellowship with other believers.
I guess my question would be: how is the term “follower of Christ” less offensive (or any less descriptive) than “Christian”? I don’t think the people at your old church really mean that it’s less offensive. I think they mis-spoke. I think what they really are trying to say that it is less “loaded” with false pre-conceived ideas of its meaning.
The video you posted proves the point. The word “Christian” is often associated (rightly or wrongly) with Pharisaism and hypocrisy. Then why not use another term like followers of the Way? “Why not stick with the one in Acts that the disciples WERE called as stated in the biblical text?”
I understand what you’re saying about Christians being called different things in different places, but this one sticks out as it says it’s the place they were first called Christians.
But the video cannot possibly prove your point. These people are making a caracature to make Christians feel guilty for things that don’t matter. If a man wears a suit, he wears a suit. Some of the things pointed to, our church was involved in like everyone wearing a certain bracelet or listening to only “Christian” radio…or having the right bumper sticker. Then they show this type of video? The culture was set up and then the rug pulled out. This video also sets up a split on purpose, preparing a church for changes to come. It takes the younger post moderns or whatever group it is and pits them against traditional Christians. You say I shouldn’t point to “brothers and sisters” as I have, but this video does just that. It was my first indication that our former church had something strange going on.
Amen, Christian Lady. God bless you.
1 Peter 4:16-19 (New International Version again Bible Gateway)
16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Enough said by me, I think. I’ll let the scriptures speak.
Acts 11:26, “…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
Historically, the term “Christian” was derogatory, and used to insult those who followed “The Way”, i.e., followers of Jesus Christ.
History also shows us (through the centuries) that the term “Christian” has been used by those who do not believe to insult and denegrate those who do believe. Throughout church history, those who identified themselves as “Christian” were persecuted, abused, imprisoned, tortured, and murdered for the name “Christian,” often by those who claimed to be Christian, but were not. (Read Foxes Book Of Martyrs).
Eastons Bible Dictionary defines “Christian” as, “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 ; 26:28 ; 1 Peter 4:16 ).
It is true that there are those who claim to be Christians who are not, and in the process do despite to the Gospel, the Name of Christ, and the name Christian. However, that is no justification that one should abandon the name “Christian” simply because some have abused it.
If we apply this logic to it’s conclusion, it is seen for the foolishness that it is. Example: The statement is often made that used car salesmen lie and cheat. So, should we cease calling them used car sales men and start calling them “pre-owned automobile experts?” On and on.
Having come from the “Seeker Sensitive” Movement myself, I have some firsthand knowledge of the terms they use. The point of abandoning terminology is to remove the offense of the Gospel (the idea that equality of Jews and Gentiles is established through faith, Galatians 5:11). The Gospel is offensive; to remove that offence is to preach another gospel, another jesus, another spirit (II Corinthians 11:4).
The Seeker Sensitive / Purpose Driven movements are the neo-liberals. These movements are seeking to apply political correctness to their churches. They encourage the use of books, stories, and examples over the clear teaching of Scripture. I personally was chastised more than once for “using too much Scripture” in my sermons.
Now I could go on and on, but I won’t, because, frankly I don’t need to defend myself. My position regarding the
Gospel in the same as Paul the Apostle: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written , The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17).
I am not ashamed of the Gospel, even if others misrepresent it; I am not ashamed of Jesus, even though others misuse The Name. I am not ashamed to call myself a “Christian,” even though others call themselves “Christian” and are not.
I will close with the excellent point christianlady made, the Word of God, the final authority for the Christian: 1 Peter 4:16 (New International Version again Bible Gateway)
“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”