Acts 11:26

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

1. Saul was brought to Antioch to meet with the church there. To support a missionary there must be some trust that he is doing the work you sent him to do.

2. Saul was one year with the church to build and deepen that trust.

3. Disciples - learners, students, pupils - This was the most common term used to describe the followers of Jesus. This term was used during the earthly ministry of Christ and to those converts following Pentecost.

4. Called - The Greek word here has to do with a divine command or instruction. The fact is they were not called Christians by men. This was a divine instruction. God called them Christians. Isaiah 62:2 is the prophecy about the "new name" which the mouth of the Lord would name. In the OT many were called - disciples, saints, brethren, followers, etc. This is a NEW term. It did not come from men. It came from God.

5. Christians - The word simply means "a follower of Christ." We are disciples (learners); we are saints (separate from the world); we are brethren (in the family of God). But these terms could also be used of members of any other club or organization. Christian is a special name to wear.