Does anyone here know where the word christian came from , and where and when in the bible is it said that when one believes in the Messiah that , that makes you a christian?

p.s. I have heard that it was a people i.e like america-american or russia- russian etc.

-- Mark (ukerne1@yahoo.com), November 25, 2001

Answers

Jmj

Thank you for this good question, Mark, and for the respect with which you asked it.

Someone gave you incorrect information. The word "Christian" has nothing to do with geography. The Greek "christianos" is derived from "christos," which means "anointed one." Why did the New Testament writers refer to Jesus as "the Christ" (Christos), the anointed one? Because that in turn was a translation of the Hebrew word for "anointed one" (which we commonly render in the Latin alphabet as "messiah").

St. Luke writes this (Acts 11:25-26): "So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

St. Peter writes this (1 Pet 4:16): "... yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God."

Thus all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior should call themselves Christians.

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), November 25, 2001.

Jmj

I forgot to mention a few related things.

(1) The Samaritan woman at the well [John 4:25] says to Jesus (linking the words "Messiah" and "Christ") ... "I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called 'Christos,' the Anointed."

(2) In Old Testament times, there was THE Messiah (promised) and there were "messiahs" -- i.e., various "anointed ones" in three categories: priests, prophets, and kings. (Jesus the Anointed/Christos, THE Messiah, is the only man who holds all three offices.) Everyone knows that Jewish priests were anointed (e.g., Aaron and his descendants). One verse shows that both kings and prophets were also anointed. In this verse, God speaks the Hebrew word "mashach" (anoint) twice to Elijah. The word is obviously related to "Mashiyach" [which is rendered in Greek/English as Messias/Messiah]:
2 Kings 19:16 -- "... and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place."
(3) For Catholics, today is the Solemnity (solemn feast) of "Christ the King." This is no coincidence, Mark. It is a sign God calling you home to His Church.

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), November 25, 2001.