本文主旨在探討十九世紀臺灣基督徒的社會形象與社會地位變遷。首先分析社會對基督教的觀感及形象論述，進而探討基督徒的社會形象，用以反映十九世紀臺灣基督徒的社會地位與所處環境，說明社會對基督徒的觀感，及其所代表的社會意義。基督徒的形象反映了基督徒的社會地位與處境，謠言成了社會對基督徒懷疑的寫照。社會中認為基督徒行為舉止異常，是勾串洋人的「通番」者，是靠勢的「無賴」，而禱告、唱詩被當成在「施法念咒」。社會對基督教的懷疑與恐懼，表現在鄉野流傳的謠言中，反映出群眾厭惡、害怕、恐慌的心理情緒，形成十九世紀臺灣基督徒的社會形象。然而，處於邊緣及底層的基督徒在改宗後，職業、身份及社會地位逐漸產生變化，被社會視為破壞人倫、「靠番仔勢」的「邪教徒」，被官方視為「無賴」的基督徒，開始透過教會資源，學習讀書識字，接受西式教育，教徒逐漸改變社會地位及經濟狀況，再透過婚姻建立起基督教家庭，成為相互支援的基督徒社群。由此可以發現，原本被鄙視排擠的「無賴」，到了日治時期，轉而成為社會的中堅份子。

This article aims to discuss the social image of Christians in Taiwan during the 19th century, particularly the change of their social status. First, the social impression about Christianity and description of Christians' social image will be analyzed. Next, the social image will be discussed to illustrate the social status of Christianity in Taiwan during 19th century, and the surroundings that they were situated in. This also explains the social impression for Christians and the social meaning that this impression represents. The image of Christians reflects their social status and situations. Rumorsbecame reflection that society doubted Christianity. In that time, society regarded that Christian behavior was abnormal, and that Christians colluded with foreigners. They were also regarded as hoodlums who counted on power and praying, and their chanting of poems was taken as the chanting of magic spells in one performing sorcery. The social doubts and fears for Christians appeared in rumors widely spread in the countryside. It shows the mental emotions of the crowds, who hated, feared and felt panicked about Christians during the 19th century, forming this social image. The occupation, identity and social status gradually changed after the Christians in the social margins or at lower parts of society altered their beliefs. Before this, they were considered as heretics who relied on power of foreigners, who destroyed human ethics by society. The Christians who were considered as hoodlums by the officials started using resources of Churches to learn reading and receive western education. These Christian gradually improved their social status and economic situations. Then, they began forming Christian groups based on supporting one another, by building Christian families through marriages. Thus the hoodlums who were originally despised and pushed aside became the backbone of society during the period of Japanese's ruling.