Acts 11:19-30 In Antioch, The Church Became Known As "Christians"

So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. ²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.  The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.  Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;  for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.  And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;  and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.  And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.  And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

Isn't it interesting that the name Christian did not emerge in Jerusalem, instead in Antioch - a gentile territory.
It started with the evangelism of Barnabas, choosing to make Christ's name known outside of Jerusalem.
He traveled first to Tarsus to invite Saul, now known as Paul to go with him which was Paul's commission by Jesus Christ.  Christ told him to go to the gentiles, and their kings to make His name and His gospel known.
Paul had been waiting on word from Jerusalem for years, so when He was included in this missionary promise, He was more than happy to accept.  Part of the business of Barnabas and Paul was to raise money for the church in Jerusalem because their was famine in the land.  In the course of these events, followers of Jesus became known by the name they are called today which is Christians - partakers in Christ.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I as one of those who are in the church and in You carry on Your work even today.  The greatest convert is your neighbor, because you told us to love our neighbor as our self and this is how we make you known even today.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.