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Are we truly Christians, or are we Mashiahians?
The following information will be considered obscure and perhaps even confusing for most so-called Christians, but be encouraged to read on and accept wisdom, which is to say, applied knowledge.
Most Bible commentaries confirm that the name Christian was not invented by the disciples or followers of the Messiah. Besides, the original context of the words Christos and Christians was derogatory:
As one that believes and accepts the Bible to be the Word of God, for some time now I have preferred to be simply called a brother or believer, and in particular, man of the pew, as indicated in my published work, Does Color Matter?
Clyde C. Coger, Jr.
Man of the Pew
...
Are we truly Christians, or are we Mashiahians?
The following information will be considered obscure and perhaps even confusing for most so-called Christians, but be encouraged to read on and accept wisdom, which is to say, applied knowledge.
It must be understood by students of the scriptures that the Greek word Christian is derived from the Greek word Christos, which is a title, which means anointed. The word 'Christos 'was in existence long before the birth of the Messiah. It is important to understand the context in which this word was used in everyday life prior to it being associated with the Messiah.
The Greek Christos is a translation of the Hebrew Mashiah anointed (of the Lord), MESSIAH ...” http://www.plim.org/92didu.html
Plain and simple, were the Disciples called Christians before and after the death of Yashua, Jesus, Eashoa…no they were not. What did they call themselves before being given the name Christians from non-Christians or non-followers of Christos, typically derived from Romans? They called themselves believers, brothers/sisters and saints:Prior to their adoption of the name, the Christians called themselves believers <Acts 5:14>, brothers <Acts 6:3>, or saints <Acts 9:13>, names which also continued to be used ... (From Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) (Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)."
And since the twelve Apostles and followers of the (Mashiah) Messiah were Hebrew, wouldn’t they come in His name, Yahshua, and not the Greek title Christ? The Messiah told them at His ascension to preach in His name in Matt. 28:19 -20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father (Yahweh), and of the Son (Elohim), and of the Holy Ghost (Yahshua - Jn. 14:26): Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." http://www.plim.org/92didu.html
Most Bible commentaries confirm that the name Christian was not invented by the disciples or followers of the Messiah. Besides, the original context of the words Christos and Christians was derogatory:
Hastings Dictionary of the Bible further states that Roman authorities gave the Messiah’s followers the name ‘Christians’ but the word itself to the pagans is associated with heinous crimes and vices. In this section "4. The Meaning of the Name.- The Roman authorities, who first designated the disciples of Jesus as Christians, attempted thereby to characterize them as a political group or party, held together by their loyalty to the party head, Christos. While originally the title was given for juridical convenience without implying a derogatory sense, the pagan mob must at a very early time have associated it with heinous crimes and vices ... Not too much emphasis should be placed, therefore upon the etymology of christos. Though literally meaning the ‘Anointed One," i.e. the Messiah, the title soon lost its original denotation and became a personal name in the Greek-speaking church."
The earliest occurrences of the term in non-Christian literature include Josephus, referring to "the tribe of Christians, so named from him;"[8] Pliny the Younger in correspondence with Trajan; and Tacitus, writing near the end of the first century. In the Annals he relates that "by vulgar appellation [they were] commonly called Christians" [9] and identifies Christians as Nero's scapegoats for the Great Fire of Rome.[10]
Etymology
The Greek word Χριστιανός (christianos)—meaning "follower of Christ"—comes from Χριστός (christos)—meaning "anointed one"[4]—with an adjectival ending borrowed from Latin to denote adhering to, or even belonging to, as in slave ownership.[5] In the Greek Septuagint, christos was used to translate the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (Mašíaḥ, messiah), meaning "[one who is] anointed."[6] In other European languages, equivalent words to 'Christian' are likewise derived from the Greek, such as 'Chrétien' in French and 'Cristiano' in Spanish. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian
As one that believes and accepts the Bible to be the Word of God, for some time now I have preferred to be simply called a brother or believer, and in particular, man of the pew, as indicated in my published work, Does Color Matter?
Clyde C. Coger, Jr.
Man of the Pew
...
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