"Catholics are not Christians"

[guanophore]

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**I fail to grasp the point. If others called them “Christians” does it make any difference ? So, Catholics are NOT Christians because others called them “Christians?” The Early Church used symbols such as the “fish” or the Cross.

So, centuries later Protestants call themselves “Christians” and that is their exclusive appellation eventhough Protestants did NOT exist in Antioch?

Am I missing something? Is this so esoteric that one has to be a cloistered monk to grasp? Or has to be a Protestant? Many protestants are Freemasons; is that an identifying sign of being a Christian?

Perhaps I should not have entered this thread–it is far too deep for one like myself. **

Acts 26:28-29
28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time you think to make me a Christian!” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am - except for these chains.”

The early followers called it “The Way”. It was those outside the faith that referred to them as Christians. No, I don’t think it matters.

1 Peter 4:16
16 yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God.

It may actually be a legal charge, since “Christians” were considered “atheists” in Roman culture (denied the pantheon).

 

[kam1953f]

When the Romans first called us “Christians,” the term was not a positive one. It was intended as a disparagement. Early Christians called themselves “followers of The Way.”

 

[inthecloud]

They were evangelical fundamentalist by every means of the title.

I often wonder is the fundies that say that know anything about the early churches.