Name by which believers in Christ were known soon after His Ascension; it occurs twice in Acts 11,26, and in 1 Peter 4. Also, the name of the religion which He founded, of its doctrines and precepts; of the life, habits of virtue, piety, spirit and character of His followers; of the Church which is rightly known by this name, as against sects which assume it (Christian Scientists, Christian Socialists); of the civilization which this religion developed in the world as distinguished from the civilizations of paganism, Islamism, Judaism.