History
Christians came about after Jesus Christ gave his life teachings, and after his death and ressurection.
Jesus chose 12 disciples to follow him.(Matt. 4:19-22, Matt. 9:9-12) The disciples were 12 ordinary men that Jesus chose to walk with him, to be with him, and to share the word of God and his teachings to all people.
Jesus Christ was the chosen one. The Son of Man, Son of God, The redeemer. He was sent to earth by God himself as a ransom for the sins of man. Matthew 20:28 says...
28That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served--and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
Meaning that Jesus was put on the earth to save those who were non-believers (of Christ).
The New Testament, (second half of ther bible) speaks of the life, teachings, death, and ressurection of the Christ. It also speaks of early Christians such as The Apostle Paul, or John the Baptist, who were persecuted for believing in Jesus and his works. These were early forms of religious persecution.
Where did the name "Christian" derive from?
The name "Christian" was used for the first time in Antioch. Reference to this can be found in the bible in the book of Acts, chapter 11 verses 25 and 26. It reads...
25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch
Antioch back then was a city in the Roman Empire. Now it is a town in southern Turkey. The name "Christian" was given to the disciples by jews and pagans in Antioch, who in reality were foes, rather than friends.The name was used derogatorily as determined by historians.