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Acts 11 · a question people ask

"The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (11:26). Who first called them that?

In the text

The verse doesn't say. It says where, "in Antioch", in the verse that tells how Barnabas and Saul "were gathered together with the assembly" there "For a whole year" (11:26). Acts has the name once more, in Agrippa's words to Paul (26:28), and the WEB has it once more outside Acts (1 Peter 4:16). Strong's gives the word's meaning, "a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ" (tap Christians). These notes add nothing from outside the Bible about who first used the name, or why.

The verses

“When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
Acts 11:26 · World English Bible
“Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?””
Acts 26:28 · World English Bible
“But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.”
1 Peter 4:16 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Acts 11

Acts 11: Repentance to life

Those of the circumcision "contended" with Peter (11:2), and the Spirit had told him to go "without discriminating" (11:12): in the Greek, the same verb. And Barnabas, "Son of Encouragement" (4:36), "exhorted them all" (11:23): Strong's gives the noun of his name as from that verb.

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Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions