Christians

Those who belong to Jesus Christ; other designations in Scripture are believers, disciples and the children of God. Originally a nickname, the term is only used three times in the Bible.

The use of the term

Disciples first called Christians

Acts 11:26

and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Agrippa not persuaded

Acts 26:28

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?”

Suffering as a Christian

1 Peter 4:16

But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.

Other biblical designations of Christians

Christians described as believers

Acts 2:44 See also Acts 4:32, Acts 5:12; Galatians 6:10; James 2:1; 1 Peter 2:17

All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Christians described as brothers

Hebrews 2:11 See also Acts 15:3; Colossians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 19:10

For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Christians described as disciples

Matthew 28:19 See also Acts 6:1, Acts 6:7, Acts 13:52, Acts 14:22

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Christians described as children of God

1 John 3:1 See also John 1:12; Romans 8:16, Romans 8:21; Galatians 3:26–4:7

Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

Christians described as the church

Acts 12:5 See also Acts 5:11, Acts 8:1, Acts 15:3; Romans 16:5; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:24; 1 Timothy 3:15

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him.

Christians described as the elect

1 Peter 1:1 See also Matthew 24:22; Romans 11:7; 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen

Christians described as heirs of God

Romans 8:17 See also Galatians 3:29, Galatians 4:7; Ephesians 3:6; 1 Peter 3:7

And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Christians described as members of God's household

Ephesians 2:19 See also 1 Timothy 3:15

Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,

Christians described as the people of God

1 Peter 2:10 See also Ephesians 2:19; Colossians 3:12; Revelation 21:3

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Christians described as saints

Romans 1:7 See also Romans 15:25; 1 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 13:13; Ephesians 1:15, Ephesians 1:18; 1 Timothy 5:10; Jude 1:3

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.