The heathen made a mistake in the name of our Savior, whom they generally called Chrestus, and his followers Chrestians (Suetonius, in Claud. 25). This is noted by Justin Martyr (Apol. 2), Tertullian (Apol. 100:3), and Lactantius (4:7). Christus is the salme with the Hebrew Messias, and signifies a person anointed; while Chrestus, χρηστός means good. Tertullian tells the heathen that they were unpardonable for persecuting Christians merely for their name, for both names were innocent and excellent. — Bingham, Orig. Ecclesiastes bk. 1, ch. 1, § 11.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More