Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
The name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were “brethren,” “the faithful,” “elect,” “saints,” “believers.” But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name “Christian” came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts
11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
The disciples, we are told, (Acts 11:26) were first called Christians at Antioch on the Orontes, somewhere about A.D. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, brethren, (Acts 15:1,23; 1 Corinthians 7:12) disciples, (Acts 9:26; 11:29) believers, (Acts 5:14) saints, (Romans 8:27; 15:25) The name “Christian,” which, in the only other cases where it appears in the New Testament, (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16) is used
contemptuously, could not have been applied by the early disciples to themselves, but was imposed upon them by the Gentile world. There is no reason to suppose that the name “Christian” of itself was intended as a term of scurrility or abuse, though it would naturally be used with contempt.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
CHRIS'TIAN. Acts 26:28. This was a name given to the followers of our Saviour, and its proper beautiful meaning is "a follower of Christ." The Christians called themselves first "disciples," "believers," "brethren," "saints." The name "Christian" originated at Antioch. Acts 11:26, about the year 42 or 43, and probably (like the names " Nazarenes " and "Galilgeans ") as a term of reproach or contempt. The word occurs in only three places in the
New Testament -viz. in the two passages before cited and in 1 Pet 4:16, where it is implied that the very name was associated with reproach and suffering. Tacitus (b. about a.d. 54), a profane historian, tells us of the low or vulgar people called the followers of Christ, or Christians. The term Christian is now employed (1) in contradistinction to pagans, Jews, and Mohammedans, and (2) to denote the open professors of religion, in
contradistinction from those who are not professors. In some countries it is still a term of bitter reproach, and the assumption of it is attended with persecution, cruelty, and death. The Christian religion is received at the present day (as it is supposed) by nearly one-third of the inhabitants of the world -i. e. over 400,000,000 among 1,460,000,000. But in point of intelligence, civilization, and influence on the world the Christian nations
far surpass all other nations combined. One of the most recent estimates is the following: