I have heard a few sermons addressing the fact that “Christian” is not a word that the Christians gave themselves, but a title that was bestowed upon them by outsiders. This idea comes from Acts 11:26:
… and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”*
What I find interesting about this verse is the word translated “called”. It is the Greek verb χρηματίζω. This verb contains many loosely related meanings such as “negotiate”, “transact business with”**, “debate”, “warn solemnly”. In later Greek, as in this verse in Acts, it can also mean “to bear a title or name”. χρηματίζω is only found a handful of times in the New Testament,*** and only one other time does it take this meaning. In similar contexts in the New Testament – when a person or place is being named – the verbs καλέω (call, summon) and λέγω (say, speak, call by name) occur much more frequently.**** This led me to consider that there is a particular significance behind the verb χρηματίζω. An alternative way to translate this verb is “labeled” or “branded”. It is more than just a designation – something to call this new group of people.
As I mentioned above, χρηματίζω means “called” only one other time in the New Testament, Romans 7:3, “Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive…”. Here one can definitely see the negative connotation associated with this verb. χρηματίζω need not always be negative, however. My Greek lexicon uses the example “takes the title of king”. What I think χρηματίζω signifies here is the fact that once someone “takes the title” of something, whether it is positive or negative, they are taking on much more than a name; they are taking on an entirely new identity, with all the advantages – and responsibilities – that come with it. Once we decide to become a Christian, and to call ourselves a Christian, we take on everything that is associated with it. We are accepting a place in a particular community, and agreeing to abide by the conventions of that community, to accept that community’s benefits, and become a part of their faults. Many Christians know – perhaps without realizing it – this truth. It can be seen in the trend wherein people are adopting other designations like “Christ-follower”. The term “Christian” (in America – I can’t speak for other countries) has a very particular (and often negative) set of connotations associated with it, many of which have nothing do with what Jesus actually taught (no one has been able to explain to me how Jesus was a capitalist, for example, or how he was pro-gun).
I don’t know if changing labels is a good, bad, or neutral. After all, either way we’re still claiming to follow the teachings of Christ. I can, however, sympathize with the desire to shy away from the title “Christian” and all its connotations in 21st century America. If a person doesn’t believe that the people who bear the title of “Christian” – which is a huge number in this country are accurately representing everything Christ stood for, is it any wonder that they want to go by a different name?
* The Greek word for Christian (χριστιανός) only occurs in two other places in the New Testament, Acts 26:28, when Paul appears before Agrippa, and 1 Peter 4:6.
**This verb is related to other business/marketplace words.
***Matthew 2:12
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they [the magi] left for their own country by another road.
Matthew 2:22
… And after being warned in a dream, he [Joseph] went away to the district of Galilee.
Luke 2:26
It had been revealed to him [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Acts 10:22
They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for your to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”
Hebrews 8:5
… for Moses, when he was about to erect the tent, was warned…
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen…
Hebrews 12:25
… for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth…
****In this context, λέγω usually occurs in the middle voice, λεγόμενος
Metanoia 