I've found that some Christians are confused by the word "catholic" as though it's just another name of a denomination among the dozens of Christian denominations we have today. This is of course not the case, and I'd like to clear up this confusion here.
Origin of the name “Christian”
Χριστός (Christos) = “Anointed One” → the Greek title for the Messiah.
-ιανός (-ianos) = a Latin suffix meaning “belonging to / follower of.”
It was used in the Roman world for political or social groups. Example: Herodianos (Ἡρῳδιανοί) = “Herodians” (followers of Herod) in Mark 3:6.
Biblical roots
The word Christian is found three times in the Bible.
1. Acts 11:26: “…And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
This is the first use of the word. It was originally a kind of nickname or label outsiders gave to followers of Jesus (“those of Christ”). It shows how distinct the early Church had become from Judaism—enough to need its own name.
2. Acts 26:28: And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”
King Agrippa II says this to Paul while Paul is testifying. It shows “Christian” was a term already known and recognized by leaders. Here it may even carry a bit of mockery or skepticism.
3. 1 Peter 4:16: “…Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”
By this point, the term had become strongly linked with persecution. Peter encourages believers not to be ashamed if they are insulted or suffer for being called “Christian,” but instead to see it as a sort of "badge of honor," but not to be prideful, of course.
Early Adoption
By the 2nd century, widely embraced by believers. Justin Martyr (c. 150 A.D.) repeatedly calls himself a Christian in his First Apology. Tertullian (c. 200 A.D.) defends Christians and notes how the name was recognized in the Roman world.
The Name “Catholic” – Rooted in Scripture and Apostolic Teaching
Biblical Seed
Acts 9:31 – “The Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace…”
Greek: καθ’ ὅλης = “throughout the whole” → the root of καθολικός (katholikós).
Earliest Written Use
Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 A.D.), Letter to the Smyrnaeans:
“Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”
This is the first written use we have id the word catholic. Ignatius emphasizes universality of The Church.
Later Patristic Use
Polycarp (A.D. 155) – references the whole Catholic Church.
Cyril of Jerusalem (A.D. 350) – defines Catholic Church as the one teaching fully and universally.
And the Nicene Creed (A.D. 325) – formalizes: “I believe in the Holy, catholic, and Apostolic Church.”
Augustine often explained how the true Church was recognized by the name Catholic:
"Whether they wish or no, heretics have to call the Catholic Church Catholic… for this is the name which, not without reason, amid so many heresies, the Church has obtained." (Against the Epistle of Manichaeus Called Fundamental (A.D. 397))
Some people think the Catholic Church “replaced” the word Christian. In reality, the Fathers used both names naturally. For example. Ignatius of Antioch (Letter to the Magnesians 10) uses both: “It is fitting that you should run together in accordance with the will of your bishop… that you may be united with God, and with Jesus Christ, and with the bishop, and with the ordinances of the apostles. He that is within the sanctuary is pure; but he that is without is not pure. That is, he who acts without the bishop, and presbyters, and deacons, is not pure in his conscience.” He presupposes Christian = Catholic, not two categories.
Oral Tradition and Apostolic Continuity
2 Thessalonians 2:15 – Paul commands believers to hold to traditions, “by word of mouth or by our letter.”
It's not a stretch to say the names Christian and Catholic likely circulated orally before appearing in writing. Especially sence most of the population at that time couldn’t read. The early Christian writers reflected the Church’s apostolic origin and universal mission.
Historical Development: Confusion and Clarification
Of course the catholic Church isn't limited to just the Roman Rite. The Apostles and their disciples established many churches around the first century. This was something I was unaware of before reverting back to the Roman Rite. By the 11th century, the Catholic Church already included at least 6 great liturgical families (Rites):
- Latin (Roman)
- Byzantine
- Alexandrian
- Antiochene (West Syriac)
- East Syriac (Chaldean)
- Armenian
Each Rite had its own liturgical languages, customs, and saints, but all were in communion as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. But they all held to major Traditions like succession of Bishops, the three offices of episkopos (ἐπίσκοπος) presbyteros (πρεσβύτερος) diákonos (διάκονος) and the Holy Eucharist, etc because these were all instituted by Christ.
After the Great Schism around A.D 1054 Eastern Churches began identifying as the Orthodox Church. Emphasis on the same apostolic faith but separated from the bishop of Rome politically. And still professing the same Apostolic Creed, believing themselves to be "The One Holy catholic and Apostolic Church" but yet fragmented with out a universal overseeing visible head.
After the Protestant Revolt in the 16th Century “Catholic” often misunderstood as “Roman Catholic”, implying just one denomination among many. But in reality as we can see from reading historical documentation and examining archeological evidence, The Catholic Church is the original Church founded by Christ, before the rise of Protestant denominational splits.
Why Names Matter
The word Christian reminds us we follow Christ personally. The word Catholic reminds us we belong to the universal, apostolic Church. As Jesus intended (Matthew 16:18-19, John 17:20–21)
- Christian = follower of Christ (personal)
- Catholic = belonging to His universal Church (communal)
Historical continuity shows that the Church is not a human invention or a sect, but the same Church the Apostles taught and the early Christians embraced. The names Christian and Catholic are more than labels; they reflect faithfulness, universality, and identity through history. Understanding these origins can clarify misconceptions today and help modern believers reclaim their apostolic heritage.
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