Christian!?
Today the word "Christian" is used all over the world, although it was not always so. It is used in many contexts, by different people, and for different reasons. For example, some say, "I am a Christian, and you are a Christian?" When you hear a phrase like this, what comes to mind? Do you know what they mean by the word "Christian"?
The original meaning of the word Christian is discovered by looking at the context in which it was used in the New Testament of the Bible. This term only appears in three verses. Luke used it twice (Acts 11:26; 26:28) and Peter once (I Peter 4:16). The transliteration of the Greek word we find in the original manuscripts into the Roman style is CHRISTIANOS. Hence, we translate it into our word Christian.
As we read in the Bible, the word Christian was first used after the resurrection of Christ in a city called Antioch. Some Gentiles, who did not follow Christ, used it as a term, badge, or nickname to identify Christ's disciples. It seems that these Gentiles were the ones who invented this word, using it in a derogatory way and as a way to mock the disciples of Christ. For this reason, the disciples of Christ of that time did not like to use that word but preferred to call each other brothers or disciples. It was not until the second century that the disciples accepted the term Christian as something worthy of honor and no longer as a derogatory mockery. Then they started using it among themselves and so it has continued to this day. Therefore, when one hears the word Christian today one understands that one is talking about a disciple of Christ, without necessarily being a mockery, although some still use it that way.
Christian then is a common synonym of a disciple of Christ.
Both can be exchanged. For example, we can say that Christ’s disciples are Christians and Christians are Christ’s disciples. It would then be important to also know the meaning of disciple.
The word disciple was used to designate one who is someone's apprentice or pupil. He was a person who not only followed the teachings of his master but was also a supporter and imitator of him. Christ used the word disciples to refer to His followers.
These early followers, (disciples) were true apprentices and pupils of the great teacher Christ Jesus were on his side and tried to be like him.
Christ commissioned them by telling them that they should go and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19) He wanted them to multiply all over the world. They were obedient and multiplied and that multiplication continues to this day. But were they always disciples of Christ or was there something decisive in their lives that made them disciples of Christ? That is precisely what we want to address in the next blog, how one can become a Christian, that is, a disciple of Christ.
