Where were believers first called Christians?
The disciples, primarily Gentile believers, were first called Christians in Antioch. Scripture records that after Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch and they assembled with the church for a whole year, teaching many people, these disciples received the name Christians there, not in Jerusalem.
Les explains that the disciples, now primarily Gentiles, were called Christians first in Antioch (s467–s469). He contrasts this with Jerusalem, where the church had existed for twelve years but the Bible never calls the Jewish believers there Christians (s471–s476). Those in Jerusalem were under the Judaistic umbrella and had only believed Jesus was Israel's Messiah, whereas these Christians believed He had died for them, His blood was shed for their sin, and He was raised from the dead (s477–s482). Antioch was being presented with Paul's Gospel, which God had kept secret until it was revealed (s483–s489).
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.