The Title 'Christian' | The Institute for Creation Research

The Title 'Christian'

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." (1 Peter 4:16)

The word "Christian" occurs only three times in Scripture and seems to have changed in its meaning from first to last. In the first instance, "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). The name merely identified them as followers of Christ with no reproach intended.

The second usage was some years later, by which time the term was evidently well known, even among unbelievers. After Paul had witnessed to him, "Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28). A more literal translation which renders the sentence "Do you try in such a short time to make a Christian of me?" indicates an air of superiority or incredulity in Agrippa's voice. It would take more than a short testimony to make a Christian of him.

As the years went by, the church began to be plagued by persecution. Our text indicates that even the name "Christian" was by then regarded with contempt and reproach. But Peter tells us that there is no shame involved in the name "Christian" or in following Christ. Peter, no doubt, recalled the shame he felt for denying the name of Christ, but he also recalled with thankfulness how that even though the Jewish council had "beaten them" and "commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus" (Acts 5:40), he and the other apostles departed "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (v. 41).

Furthermore, we can "glorify God on this behalf," or "in this name." This implies more than just praising the name. We can glorify God in what we do--in how we live in that name. We can certainly also bring dishonor to the title "Christian" by our actions. A solemn responsibility is then ours, to bring honor and glory to God through our lives. JDM

The Latest
NEWS
Pluto’s Largest Moon Looks Young
When the New Horizons space probe captured images of Pluto and its large moon Charon as it flew by in 2015, conventional scientists were surprised by...

NEWS
55-Million-Year-Old Tree Frog…Is Still a Tree Frog
In the 1990s, Australian paleontologists discovered fossil frog bones during a dig in Murgon, Queensland.1 This new species of frog—Litoria...

NEWS
Pastor and Longtime ICR Supporter Dr. John MacArthur Now with...
Faithful ICR supporter and pastor Dr. John MacArthur went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 14, 2025, completing his 86-year pilgrimage.1...

CREATION PODCAST
Setting Sights on Scopes: The Truth Behind the Infamous Monkey...
The Scopes Trial is one of the most famous court cases in American history, and this year marks its one hundredth anniversary. Often,...

NEWS
Did Earthworms Rewrite Their DNA to Survive on Land?
An earthworm news story was recently posted that openly questions Darwin’s gradual and slow evolutionary progress in the living world.1...

NEWS
Mysterious Erosion Confirms High Flood Boundary
Two separate research reports arrived at a similar conclusion.1,2 Both found an episode of mysterious erosion had occurred near the end of...

NEWS
A Uniquely Designed Air-Filled Sac Within Birds’ Lungs
Soaring birds are a majestic sight to behold, especially when they undergo such climbing and endless spiraling so effortlessly. Not surprisingly, evolutionists...

NEWS
Liberty and the Word of God
“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts” (Psalm 119:45). July 4th is called Independence Day here in our country because on...

NEWS
July 2025 ICR Wallpaper
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome...

NEWS
Valued Longtime ICR Employee Mary Smith Retires
Mary Morris Smith, an employee of the Institute for Creation Research for many years, has retired. The second daughter of ICR founder Dr. Henry M. Morris...