No, the Bible never applies the name Christian to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem.
Based on the evidence, Les Feldick emphasizes that Scripture consistently refrains from calling the Jerusalem-based Jewish believers Christians. The name Christian is first applied to the Gentile believers at Antioch, as seen in Acts 11. Les points out that this distinction is often overlooked by theologians and writers who incorrectly label the Jerusalem believers as Christians.
Acts 11:26 — This verse explicitly states that the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, not Jerusalem.
In the book of Acts, the term 'Christian' is first used in reference to the believers at Antioch. Acts 11:26 says, '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.' This is the only place in the New Testament where the origin of the name is explicitly stated. The Bible never applies the name 'Christian' to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem or Judea. They are often referred to as 'believers' or 'disciples,' but the specific designation 'Christian' is reserved for the new assembly at Antioch, which included both Jews and Gentiles and was associated with Paul's gospel of grace.
Les Feldick teaches that the Bible never calls the Jewish believers in Jerusalem 'Christians.' He emphasizes that throughout the book of Acts, from the time of John the Baptist up until Paul's ministry, the Jewish believers were not given that title. Les points out that theologians and writers often refer to them as Christians, but the Scriptures do not support that designation. Les explains that the Jerusalem believers were still under the 'Judaistic umbrella,' keeping the law and worshiping at the temple. They believed Jesus was the Messiah, but they did not yet have the full revelation of the gospel of grace that Paul later received. It was only when Paul went to Antioch and preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ that the believers there, both Jews and Gentiles, were called Christians. Les sees this as a clear distinction between the Jewish believers in Jerusalem and those who became part of the Body of Christ in the age of grace.
According to Les Feldick, the Jewish believers in Jerusalem were still under the law and the Judaistic system. They had believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but they had not yet received the full revelation of the gospel of grace based on His death, burial, and resurrection. The name Christian was reserved for those who came to believe in that gospel, which was first preached to the Gentiles at Antioch.
Les Feldick teaches that the believers at Antioch were the first to be called Christians because they were the first to embrace the gospel of grace as revealed to Paul. This was a new thing, different from what the Jerusalem believers had experienced. These Christians believed that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose again, and they were not bound by the law or circumcision. This set them apart as a distinct group, and the name Christian reflected that new identity.
Acts 4 Explained: The Only Name That Can Save You
us. Now Jude says that we are to contend for the faith. Now we're not to be contentious for contention's sake, but we are to contend or stand up for the truth of the Word of God, and God give us grace to do so. All right, now then verse 19, "...but Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than to God, you judge.
Paul's Revelation and the First Christians
Les explains that the Bible never calls the Jewish believers from John the Baptist to Paul missionaries, and that the name Christian was first used at Antioch, not Jerusalem.
Antioch's Unique Status
Les contrasts the Jerusalem believers, who were under the Judaistic umbrella, with the Christians at Antioch who believed in Christ's death, shed blood, and resurrection.
The First Time Christians Were Named
Les reiterates that the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, not Jerusalem, and expresses amazement that writers call the Jerusalem believers Christians when the Bible does not.
Why Mixing Law and Grace Cancels the Work of the Cross
And the Jews down at Jerusalem are still not accepting that. They still can't, even the believing Jews. Now I'm not talking about the Pharisees. I'm talking about Jews who had embraced Jesus as their Messiah. But they were still law keeping, and they still had that mentality that nobody should be going to the Jews unless they had the King and the Kingdom.
Jewish Believers' Reaction
Les shows that the Jewish believers in Jerusalem were disturbed that Gentiles were being brought into relationship with God without circumcision, highlighting the difference between the two groups.
Revelation vs. Instruction: How Paul Received the Gospel
In other words, this called out group of Jewish believers who had believed who Jesus really was. And they were still within the confines of Judaism. They were still practicing the law. They were still worshiping at the temple. But they were also a set-aside group who had recognized their Messiah and put their faith in Him.
Ishmael vs. Isaac: The Allegory of Law and Grace Explained
That's what the Jewish believers from Jerusalem were now trying to convince the Gentile believers at Antioch. And then you come into verse 5 when Paul finally gets down to Jerusalem, and what he is, he's called on the carpet. I mean after all, they've brought him down like a heretic to bring him on the carpet before the church there at Jerusalem, and look what verse 5 says, "...
Acts 11:26: 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.
This is the key verse showing where the name Christian was first used.
No, the Bible never calls the Jewish believers in Jerusalem 'Christians.' They are referred to as believers or disciples, but the name Christian is first applied to the believers in Antioch.
According to Acts 11:26, the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. This is a key distinction from Jerusalem.
Les teaches that it's important because it highlights a difference in understanding and reception of the gospel. The Jerusalem believers were still under the law, while the Antioch believers embraced the gospel of grace through Paul's teaching.
Watch the Teaching: Acts 4 Explained: The Only Name That Can Save You