Hi friend, it is good that you have replied on a topic posted by me: however in reference to the book of Acts, Where you said that the believers were called Christians, it is important to note those words in the book of Acts 11:26 ... first called Christians in Antioch. These words have brought us to some questions. What was their identity before they went in to Antioch? And why were they called Christians?Firstly we know according to the bible that the disciples are of the Jewish nation. Born Jews, kept the Sabbath, Passover and all customs of the Jews. Paul said in 2Cor: 11:22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
God did not call them Christians my friend. Those in Antioch called them Christians.
Why were they called Christians?
The disciples were preaching the doctrine of the resurrection Acts 4:2, And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead some mocked... Acts 17:32; Jesus was the back bone of the doctrine of the resurrection because he died and rose from the tomb 1 Cor. 15:11-14:
So when the disciples went into Antioch they were given this false name Christians as a mockery not as an identity of religion; also this was not the only false name mention of the disciples in the bible; also they were called Niger Act 13:1.
This false name identified Jewish men as they preach the gospel of the resurrection. That is why Peter said ...if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed... 1 peter 4:12
Therefore my friend we must take the true understand of the word Christian according to the bible and not what it represents today. For what Christianity represents today is not the true religion of Jesus.
Question: if the word Christian is so important why is it mention only three times in the entire bible Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16?