On the Name “Christian” and the Ignorance of Those Who Speak Without Knowing

Let me set something straight for those who like to pontificate about who Christians are, what we believe, and who we think we are. There’s a lot of noise out there from pundits and self-appointed experts who throw words around like they understand the roots of history, scripture, or identity—but they don’t.

First, the term “Christian”—yes, that one you use with sneering undertones—was never coined by the people who followed Jesus. Jesus didn’t call us Christians. He called his followers disciples, friends, sheep—terms that carry intimacy, loyalty, and the serious weight of spiritual responsibility. The earliest followers called themselves followers of the Way, part of Israel, rooted in the covenant. They didn’t need a fancy label to define their devotion.

The word “Christian” first appears in Acts 11:26, in Antioch, and it was given by outsiders, by people who were looking in and trying to categorize, marginalize, or mock. Χριστιανός—Christianos—meant “followers of Christ,” and yes, it carried the flavor of derision. In the Roman world, adding the suffix -ianos was a way to mark a faction, a party, or even a group considered suspect. Imagine being a crucified man’s followers in a society that valued power, honor, and tradition over truth—you were bound to be ridiculed.

But here’s the kicker: we embraced it. Christians, then and now, took the name that was meant to demean and turned it into a badge of honor. Peter even tells us in 1 Peter 4:16: if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed. Reclaiming that label wasn’t about ego—it was about loyalty to truth and identity in the face of ignorance.

Now, to those who insist on talking about “true Israelites” or casting doubt on the legitimacy of Black Christians: history doesn’t bend to your assumptions. Early followers of Jesus were Jewish. They were Israelites. And as Black people tracing our heritage to the ancient covenant, we are heirs to that story. Our faith, our identity, our name as Christians—they are not separate from our lineage; they are part of it.

So the next time you hear someone speak ill of Christians, or try to tell you that we are “lost” because we embrace Christ, remember this: ignorance talks, history speaks. We are disciples. We are Israelites. And yes, we are Christians—proudly, defiantly, with the weight of history and covenant behind us.

Don’t let ignorance define your understanding. Study. Observe. Know. And speak truth, not rumor.