Why does calling one's self a Christian matter?

[savagewind]

I am off topic again Surprise!

I am sorry. Please forgive me RogertheAtheist oh and starlite too.

On my thread you should know it is AOK to go off, but not just to get my goat. OK?

Can we get serious?

It is important what a person calls him or her self. Where did the name Christian originate? The Bible is not clear about the matter. I think the reason why it is not made clear is that words are important. Sometimes to be too specific does more damage than it does good. That is why I think no one wrote the name christian is what the world began to call followers of Christ Yehoshua.

I said on another thread I think that the early calling of the followers of Christ can be likened to the way people now call Jehovah's Witnesses "Jehovahs". To call a believer of Jehovah Jehovah is not a blessing for the caller or for the one called. But the Name is still wonderful, that is why 1 Peter 4:16 says what it says. World English Bible
But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.
We can not stop people calling us christian but we should not fight it. What has happened to the community of the followers of Christ is the name has become something to be proud of. It is not something to be proud of. Do you think I have a right to say that?

Why? or Why not?

 

[Desert Snake]

I am off topic again Surprise!

I am sorry. Please forgive me RogertheAtheist oh and starlite too.

On my thread you should know it is AOK to go off, but not just to get my goat. OK?

Can we get serious?

Yep.

It is important what a person calls him or her self. Where did the name Christian originate? The Bible is not clear about the matter. I think the reason why it is not made clear is that words are important. Sometimes to be too specific does more damage than it does good. That is why I think no one wrote the name christian is what the world began to call followers of Christ Yehoshua.

I think it was a necessary designation to identify oneself in say, pagan Rome or Europe, or elsewhere. Besides that I'm not sure about about the actual origins of the term "Christian" , specifically.

 

[savagewind]

[

I think it was a necessary designation to identify oneself in say, pagan Rome or Europe, or elsewhere. Besides that I'm not sure about about the actual origins of the term "Christian" , specifically.

Nobody is sure what the origins are because it is nowhere explained.

An example. Jehovah is power to make things happen. If someone calls you jehovah it is by heaven's standards saying you are one who has power to make things happen.

Christ means anointed to be God's salvation. If someone calls you a "christ" or a 'christain" by heaven's standards it is saying you are anointed to be God's salvation.

Does the meaning of words matter? I sure hope so!

 

[crossfire]

Acts 11:19-25

19 Those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,(J) speaking the message to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists,[e][f] proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.(K) 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.(L) 22 Then the report about them was heard by the church that was at Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel[g] as far as Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart,(M) 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit(N) and of faith. And large numbers of people were added(O) to the Lord. 25 Then he[h] went to Tarsus to search for Saul, 26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples(P) were first called Christians at Antioch.(Q)​

 

[savagewind]

Correct crossfire thanks. We know the verse. What are you saying it means please?

 

[crossfire]

Correct crossfire thanks. We know the verse. What are you saying it means please?

Thats when gentiles started joining, no? They couldn't call themselves a Jewish sect or movement anymore.

 

[Desert Snake]

Thats when gentiles started joining, no? They couldn't call themselves a Jewish sect or movement anymore.

You're thinking of Judaism, not "Jewish". There are Jewish people of all religions

 

[crossfire]

Christianity goes beyond ethnicity, tribe, or nation.

 

[savagewind]

Thats when gentiles started joining, no? They couldn't call themselves a Jewish sect or movement anymore.

What I am saying is it is not clear that they called themselves "Christians". It is my contrary opinion that it is a name the World gave all the people who were professing belief in the man with the title Christos. Believing in 'Jesus' "Christ" does not make a person anointed like he is but that is what the name implies in my own opinion that I am sharing on forum.

So let's just say for the sake of imagination that the world who is under the power of Satan if you believe that is what caused the name to be attached to true followers of Yehoshua. Does no one else see that it is "a little leaven"?

What if the name was not adopted by the Body of Christ nor was it given by Heavenly decree? What if it is Satan's name for believers?

 

[crossfire]

What I am saying is it is not clear that they called themselves "Christians". It is my contrary opinion that it is a name the World gave all the people who were professing belief in the man with the title Christos. Believing in 'Jesus' "Christ" does not make a person anointed like he is but that is what the name implies in my own opinion that I am sharing on forum.

So let's just say for the sake of imagination that the world who is under the power of Satan if you believe that is what caused the name to be attached to true followers of Yehoshua. Does no one else see that it is "a little leaven"?

What if the name was not adopted by the Body of Christ nor was it given by Heavenly decree? What if it is Satan's name for believers?

Hmm, those who love one another even in the face of political/national divisions? Yeah, I'm sure the spinmeisters would want a handy label to slap on them in order to identify such contrary folk.

 

[savagewind]

Hmm, those who love one another even in the face of political/national divisions? Yeah, I'm sure the spinmeisters would want a handy label to slap on them in order to identify such contrary folk.

I shall that sarcasm. Do you think words and names matter? I believe they do. Words are what make humans different.

What does "CHRIST" means? Anointed. Does the Pope believe he is like 'Jesus' a ruler? Yup. Do the Faithful and discreet members believe they are rulers? Yup them too. Lots of people do. What is their name? C h r i s t i a n

 

[crossfire]

I shall that sarcasm. Do you think words and names matter? I believe they do. Words are what make humans different.

What does "CHRIST" means? Anointed. Does the Pope believe he is like 'Jesus' a ruler? Yup. Do the Faithful and discreet members believe they are rulers? Yup them too. Lots of people do. What is their name? C h r i s t i a n

I'm quite fond of the un-named. (See Tao Te Ching 1)

(Sorry for bringing other scripture in.)

 

[ChristineES]

I call myself a "Follower of Yeshua (Yehoshua)" for the most part. Christian comes from the word "Christ" which is the Greek version of Messiah . The earliest followers of Jesus were Jewish and as far as I know, never stopped being Jewish (although some would debate that). I don't mind being called a Christian and I call myself that to make things easier to know what my faith is.
I was told by a Rabbi that I am a Jew- since my mother's mother was Jewish (non-practicing, her father, my great-grandfather was an atheist, I believe and her mother converted to Jehovah's Witnesses). My grandmother followed Catholicism- since her husband, my grandfather, was a Catholic (born in Italy, raised in the US). I don't call myself a Jew since I never practiced the faith of Judaism- but I have thought about converting to Judaism from Christianity but hesitate to do so since I would have to give up Jesus if I did. My times in the Synagogue were fulfilling to me.

 

[Shermana]

Nobody is sure what the origins are because it is nowhere explained.

An example. Jehovah is power to make things happen. If someone calls you jehovah it is by heaven's standards saying you are one who has power to make things happen.

Christ means anointed to be God's salvation. If someone calls you a "christ" or a 'christain" by heaven's standards it is saying you are anointed to be God's salvation.

Does the meaning of words matter? I sure hope so!

In the Book of Acts, the word "Christians" is first used to define the Nazarene Torah obedient Jews under Peter's authority in Antioch.

 

[starlite]

Where did the name Christian originate? The Bible is not clear about the matter.

(Acts 11:25, 26) . . .So he went off to Tarsus to make a thorough search for Saul 26 and, after he found him, he brought him to Antioch. It thus came about that for a whole year they gathered together with them in the congregation and taught quite a crowd, and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine
providence called Christians.

According to Acts 11:26, “it was first in Antioch [in Syria] that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” That occurred about the year 50. So that from A.D. 33 to 50, or for seventeen years, the disciples of Jesus Christ had not been called Christians or Messianists. Besides this fact, the word “Christian” occurs only three times in the entire Bible.—Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16.

Why were they called Christians (Greek) or Messianists (Hebrew)? In order to distinguish them from the natural Jews or Israelites who had rejected the Lord Jesus as the Messiah or Christ. And yet Rome confused Christians with Jews, because the Christians also used the Jewish Bible and their Leader Jesus Christ was a native-born Jew, Israelite or Hebrew. So away back then the name Christian did serve somewhat to distinguish the true followers of Christ.

 

[savagewind]

(Acts 11:25, 26) . . .So he went off to Tarsus to make a thorough search for Saul 26 and, after he found him, he brought him to Antioch. It thus came about that for a whole year they gathered together with them in the congregation and taught quite a crowd, and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine
providence called Christians.

According to Acts 11:26, “it was first in Antioch [in Syria] that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” That occurred about the year 50. So that from A.D. 33 to 50, or for seventeen years, the disciples of Jesus Christ had not been called Christians or Messianists. Besides this fact, the word “Christian” occurs only three times in the entire Bible.—Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16.

Why were they called Christians (Greek) or Messianists (Hebrew)? In order to distinguish them from the natural Jews or Israelites who had rejected the Lord Jesus as the Messiah or Christ. And yet Rome confused Christians with Jews, because the Christians also used the Jewish Bible and their Leader Jesus Christ was a native-born Jew, Israelite or Hebrew. So away back then the name Christian did serve somewhat to distinguish the true followers of Christ.

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

 

[Ramjit]

I think people like having labels because it helps them to identify who they are dealing with.
Not using a label kinds of keeps them guessing and makes some uncomfortable.
Personally, I don't claim a label just because it seems to restrictive.

 

[Shermana]

Starlite:

And yet Rome confused Christians with Jews, because the Christians also used the Jewish Bible and their Leader Jesus Christ was a native-born Jew, Israelite or Hebrew

Also most likely because the "Christians" in the region at that time were barely distinguisable from other Jews by their Torah observance as well.

 

[starlite]

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

I'm not exactly sure why you posted this in reference to my post....

 

[arhys]

What I am saying is it is not clear that they called themselves "Christians". It is my contrary opinion that it is a name the World gave all the people who were professing belief in the man with the title Christos. Believing in 'Jesus' "Christ" does not make a person anointed like he is but that is what the name implies in my own opinion that I am sharing on forum.

-ian. From Latin -ānus, which forms adjectives of belonging or origin from a noun. 1. (as an adjective) From, related to, or like. 2. (as a noun) One from, belonging to, relating to, or like.

It probably has its origins in mockery. The Christians do this, the Christians don't do that. The literal meaning of the word is self-explanatory.

Lutherans and Calvinists are only called such because the Roman church had a practice of naming perceived heresies after their principal teachers. Followers naturally embraced these labels as a point of irony to spite the Papists. Note the proper name of the Lutheran Church is the Evangelische Kirche and that Calvinism is, in more academic circles, known as the Reformed faith. Methodists are called Methodists because fellow Oxford students mocked the practices of the Holy Club and Wesley thought it was a good name to use since it was accurate and already in public use. Muslims were formerly called Mohammedans because they were thought to worship Muhammad. Only later did it come to be a term of derision.

Take your pick.