Acts 11

"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."  (Acts 11:26b)

The name "Christian", meaning belonging to Christ, is surprisingly only used in the Bible three times:  Acts 11:26; 26:28 & 1 Peter 4:16. 

This chapter in Acts is significant, for the Church came to the clear realization that "even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life."  (vs 18b)   The barriers were truly broken, and Jews and Gentiles alike were fully accepted as part of the Church.

The Church of Antioch, the first primarily Gentile church formed, received encouragement and teaching from Barnabas and Saul, and went on to display Christian love, compassion, and generosity by giving to the needy after hearing of the prophesy of a coming famine.  And later, in the book of Acts, they serve as the launching point for Paul's three missionary journeys.

This passage provides good examples of how to reasonably address criticism, even from within the Church, by focusing on the work of God and understanding the root of the criticism; and of an effective church based on the foundation of good teaching and strong faith.