Replies to '06/06 "I'm Gay, OK?"'

The word "Christian" is used exactly 3 times in the Bible. It was NOT a name that the followers of Jesus during the 1st Century AD called each other. The called each other "Believers" and what they believed "The Way" because Jesus said He was The Way."  

Greek-speaking pagan residents of Antioch, Syria coined the word "Christian" to refer to those who preached about "The Anointed (One)" who was called Jesus. "Christos" (Anointed) was the Greek translation of the Hebrew word which we now call "Messiah" (oh, that means "Anointed," too).  

"Christian" is first used in the passive voice in the Book of Acts when Paul and Barnabus were preaching in Koine Greek about "The Christ" in Antioch. Later, when Paul is giving his testimony of how he persecuted those who believed in Jesus and even had them put to death and how he met the LORD (aka the Christ), the Roman official said, in words to this effect, "After telling me this, you think you have persuaded me to be Christian?"  

The only other time the word "Christian" appears in the Bible is in the Epistle "1st Peter." And in that context, Peter writes that if you are mockingly (being made fun of) called "Christian" and you are living right for Jesus the Christ, doing what Jesus preached, consider that an honor.  

But . . . . , Peter NEVER said "Call yourself a 'Christian'."