Etymology

The first known usage of the term Χριστιανός (khristianos) can be found in the New Testament, in : "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." The term was thus first used to denote those known or perceived to be disciples of Jesus Christ. In the two other New Testament uses of the word (and ), it refers to the public identity of those who follow Jesus.

The earliest recorded use of the term outside the Bible was when Tacitus recorded that Nero blamed the "Christians" for the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64.

"Christian" also means a member or adherent of a church or other organized group within Christianity. As an adjective, the term may also describe anything associated with Christianity, or even remotely thought to be consistent with Christianity, as in "the Christian thing to do."

In the United States, especially the South and Midwest, the word Christian may also be narrowly used as shorthand for certain denominations or groupings, particularly the Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ or Churches of Christ; for example, "First Christian Church of (name of local town)".

Who is a Christian?

The definition of who is a "Christian" varies among people and christian groups. Some believe that, to be a Christian, an individual must go to a church and participate in baptism. Others teach that instead a belief and acceptance in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is necessary. Some consider a Christian to be simply one who tries to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Some theologians consider a Christian to be anyone who accepts the Nicene Creed. This ancient text is accepted by Catholics, the Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans and all the remaining mainline Protestant Churches.

Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and many Protestants define a Christian as one who has become a member of the church through the sacrament of baptism. In these denominations, infants who are baptized may be considered Christians, although they are expected to make a personal affirmation of faith when old enough to decide for themselves.

Evangelical and fundamentalist denominations do not generally practice infant baptism. Some teach that "Believer's baptism" as a repenting adult is necessary for salvation — the transition from non-Christian to Christian. Others do not believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, but consider it an act of obedience and identification with Jesus. They encourage youth and adults to "become Christians" by personally "accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour". These groups also use the phrase "born-again" (referring to ) to describe becoming a Christian.

Others consider themselves Christian just by adhering to the teachings of Jesus Christ, without affiliating to any organized religion.

Within countries where Christianity is the historical majority religion, the term is also used by some in a casual generic sense to indicate that they are not members of nor affiliated with any other religion – therefore considering themselves Christians by default.

In other languages

In other European languages the word is similar, e.g. Chrétien in French. The Chinese word is (pinyin: jīdū tú), literally "Christ follower".

As the identification of "Christ" with Jesus is not accepted within Judaism, in Talmudic Hebrew Christians are called "Nazarenes" (Notzri), because Jesus is described in the New Testament as being from the city of Nazareth.

Among Arabs (whether Christians, Muslims or belonging to other faiths), as well as in other languages influenced by the Arabic language (i.e. mainly in Muslim cultures influenced by Arabic as the liturgical language of Islam), two words are commonly used for Christians: Nasrani (stemming from the Arabic ansar, as in the disciples of Jesus), and Masihi meaning followers of the Messiah. Where there is a distinction, Nasrani refers to people from a Christian culture and Masihi means those with a religious faith in Jesus. In some countries Nasrani tends to be used generically for non-Muslim white people. Another Arabic word sometimes used for Christians, particularly in a political context, is Salibi; this refers to Crusaders and has negative connotations.

See also

• Conversion to Christianity
• Christendom

References