Christians
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16)—the name first given to the disciples at Antioch. Believers scattered after Stephen’s death preached the Lord Jesus; Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem, brought Saul from Tarsus, and taught with him for a year. Thus “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Agrippa later used the name in speaking with Paul. A Christian, according to the apostolic writings, is a child and heir of God, a member of Christ, and a temple of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:16–17; 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19–22). The Christian life is marked above all by faith, hope, and love (1 Cor. 13:13).