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Christianos/ChristianGreek/English
Christianos/Christian at first used to mock the disciples who believed Jesus was the seed of David and the fulfillment of the expected Messieh king of Israel Christi-anos (Greek.).
At first the followers of Jesus were called disciples (Greek Strongs #3101--pupil/learner: men-Acts 9:18, 26; women-Acts 9:35, 36); because of their religious faith they were called "believers and saints." Men were called brethren-(Acts 9:30, 31; and women sisters-(Acts 16:1, 1Cor 7:15, 1Tim 5:2). In Antioch, a Syrian city (Acts 11:26), the disciples were first called Christianos (christi-anos, christi Strongs #5547 + abrev anosios Strongs #462).
Anos/Anosios (Greek).
Anos is an abbreviation of anoseeos both meaning unholy, impious, and wicked (Strongs #462). The term is found in the New Testament two times: 1Tim 1:9-unholy and 2Tim 3:2-unholy. Anosios is further defined as "a" Strongs #1 a negative particle: "hosios" Strongs #3741 pure, pious, sacred, holy, consecrated. Thus "anosios" means not pure, not pious, not sacred, not holy, and not consecrated. To say Christianos is to speak directly about Jesus as an impure, impious, wicked, unholy and non-consecrated Christ. To call the disciples christianos is therefore no badge of pride nor a name to bear of which one would be proud. If the intent of the defamation was to speak evil of Jesus when this name was coined it cannot be made into a holy description by which disciples should name themselves. Who ever began to call the disciples followers of an unholy christ, certainly meant to create fear and horror in the minds of the world.
Christian (English).
The name given to the disciples of Christ in the Syrian city Antioch by unbelievers. It is interpreted to mean "christ-like" but this does not agree with the etymology of the name. Christi is derived from the Greek root chrio (Strongs # 5547-5548) and means anointed, through the idea of one being consecrated by smearing or rubbing a person with oil. When applied to Jesus the term Christi meant he had been consecrated with a special spiritual anointing to perform ministerial functions (see Luke 4:18--'he has anointed (chrio) me'). The term Christian was not a holy name from its beginning.
Scripture Text (KJV).
Acts 26:28--Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a christian.
The meaning of Agrippa's use of "christian" is noteworthy. He implied he was almost ready to accept Jesus who had been called a christianos an impure, unholy, and impious christ. He was almost willing to allow that infamy name to be called against him. There is no verse in the scriptures where any disciple or believer called themselves a Christianos.
1Peter 4:16--Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
One of the tragic mistakes of believers is to assume the name Christian was used by the disciples. There is no evidence of this at all in the scriptures. In this text believers were being persecuted as followers of Jesus whom the antichrist were saying was an unholy, impious, and wicked Christ impostor. The disciples and believers were suffering indignity and disrespect of their faith. Peter encourages them that if they suffer as one who is accused of following Jesus as an unholy, impious, and wicked Christ impostor, to not be ashamed. The implication was, to be accused of something false was not a reason to be ashamed. In their hearts the disciples believed Jesus was the Messieh prince and King of Israel. For this and the salvation he ushered into the world, they were willing to suffer the name "christianos."
The name Christian was never used by a disciple or early believer to identify themselves, but was coined by those who hated the followers of Jesus. The enemies of Jesus considered him to be an unholy, impious, and wicked Christ impostor: thus those who believed in him as Messieh were called "Christi-anos" or followers of an impious christ first in Antioch.