CHRISTIAN, Christianus, Disciple of Jesus Christ. Christians were distinguished from Jews first at Antioch, and there were called Christiani, or Disciples of Christ. Acts xi. 26.They were generally called Brethren, Faithful, Saints, Believers. The name of Nazarens and Galilæans, was likewise given them by the Gentiles. It has been the opinion of several, that Christian was derived originally from the Greek, Chrestos, good, useful; and Suetonius1 speaking of Claudius, and of his expelling the Jews out of Rome, says, that he banished them thence, because they were continually quarrelling concerning Christ. Judæos, impulsore Chresto, assidue tumultuantes, Româ expulit. Christ, as Lactantius says, is no proper name, but one denoting power2; for the Jews were used to give this appellation to their Kings, and called them Christs, or anointed by reason of the Sacred Unction received by them. But, as he adds, the Heathen by mistake call Jesus Christ Chrestus: Sed eum, immutata littera, Chrestum solent dicere. And Tertullian3, The name of Christian comes from the Unction received by Jesus Christ; and that of Chrestianus, which you sometimes through mistake give us, (for you are not particularly acquainted with our name) signifies that Gentleness and Benignity whereof we make profession: Sed & perperam Christianus pronuntiatur a vobis (nam nec nominis certa est notitia penes vos) de suavitate vel benignitate compositum est.
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