What do famous authors call the Jewish believers in Acts 4?
Well-known authors refer to the Jewish believers in Acts 4 as Christians, but the context notes Scripture never applies that term to these Jerusalem believers. The name Christian in Scripture is first given to Gentile believers at Antioch in Acts 11.
Les explains that after Peter and John were released in Acts 4, they returned to their own company, the group of believing Jews in Jerusalem. He points out that many famous authors refer to these Jewish believers as Christians, but he challenges listeners to search the Scriptures. The Word of God never calls these primarily Jerusalem-centered Jewish believers Christians. Acts 11 alone says the Gentile believers at Antioch were first called Christians. Les emphasizes they were Jewish believers under the covenant promises, like John the Baptist's followers, those under Christ's ministry, and those saved at Pentecost. He holds that a person cannot be called a Christian unless saved according to the Gospel of the grace of God—that Christ died for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended.