The term “Christian” refers to an adherent of Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The word is derived from the Greek "Christianos," meaning "follower of Christ," and was first used in the city of Antioch in the 1st century CE to distinguish the disciples of Jesus from Jews and pagans. Christians believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Son of God and the savior of humanity. The central text of the Christian Scriptures is the The Bible, which consists of The Old Testament, which Christianity shares with Judaism, the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, and the New Testament, focusing on the life and ministry of Jesus and the early Christian Church.

Christianity is not monolithic but is divided into several major denominations, the largest being Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. These branches differ in theology, liturgy, and governance but share core beliefs such as the Trinity, the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus, and the concept of salvation. Throughout history, the term "Christian" has taken on various cultural, social, and political connotations, and it has been used both positively, to denote moral integrity and kindness, and negatively, in contexts of sectarianism and colonialism.

Throughout nearly two millennia, Christians have been involved in the creation and sustenance of educational, healthcare, and charitable institutions. They have contributed to art, philosophy, science, and politics, shaping major historical and cultural movements from the spread of literacy in medieval Europe to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. However, the term has also been associated with negative aspects such as religious wars, colonial oppression, and sectarian conflict.

The spread of Christianity has been global, originally flourishing in the Mediterranean and later expanding to Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The religion has undergone significant transformations and adaptations to local cultures, leading to a variety of Christian expressions worldwide. In the modern era, the Christian identity has been explored and expanded to include discussions on social justice, gender, race, and interfaith relations, reflecting the religion's complex and multifaceted nature.

In summary, the term "Christian" encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices, and cultural phenomena, rooted in a shared reverence for Jesus Christ. It signifies a religious identity that is deeply integrated into the fabric of global history, culture, and ethics, and continues to be a subject of theological inquiry, social analysis, and spiritual exploration.