05-24-2005, 05:33 PM
Right. I'm wondering whether the term "Christian" referred to another religious group that the secular community in Antioch began to confuse with the Nazarenes since Acts 11:26 does not say that the disciples were actually Christians, just that they were called Christians in Antioch. (The same could be said of the two other appearances of the word "Christian" -- Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16.)
In fact, the Catholic Church father Epiphanius, in "Against Heresies" seems to indicate that the Christians and the Nazarenes were two separate groups. If so, when did the "Christians" originate?
Such an understanding would explain why in these three verses the term "Kristiana" (of Greek derivation) is used in the Peshitta and not Nazarene, wouldn't it?
Any thoughts?
Stephen
In fact, the Catholic Church father Epiphanius, in "Against Heresies" seems to indicate that the Christians and the Nazarenes were two separate groups. If so, when did the "Christians" originate?
Such an understanding would explain why in these three verses the term "Kristiana" (of Greek derivation) is used in the Peshitta and not Nazarene, wouldn't it?
Any thoughts?
Stephen