The Name of Christ's Church
The Name of Christ's Church
Jesus promised, "Upon this rock I will build My church and the
gates of hades will not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). For the
past few weeks we have been trying to understand just exactly what that
church is like. Without a correct understanding of it we will never
find it in our world today. Our study has been confined to what the New
Testament teaches. Today, we will consider another aspect of this
study. What name should be used to identify the church Jesus promised
to build? Today on our program we will engage in a study of the name
of the church our Lord Jesus Christ promised to build. Please stay
tuned.
The West End Church of Christ presents these fifteen minute
sermons each Sunday. We have only one reason for doing it -- we want to
preach the truth of God's word without being restricted by human
doctrines, creeds, and wisdom. That is why we repeatedly ask anyone who
listens to communicate with us if you do not agree with what we teach on
this program. This is not done out of a spirit of dare, or challenge,
but in sincerity and in the interest of being absolutely right about the
most important issue of this life and of eternity.
We also want to invite you to attend our services. Bible study
begins at 9 a.m. Sunday morning followed at 10 a.m. for worship -- we
honor God in the reading and teaching of His word, several prayers,
gospel songs, giving of our means, and partaking of the sacred memorial
feast of the Lord's Supper. Sunday evening we assemble for worship at 6
p.m. and mid-week Bible study is each Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Our
meeting house is located at the corner of Parkside Drive and Old
Morgantown Road, just across from Lampkin Park and Tapp’s Drive-in.
Please be our guest today.
A name is a means of identification. While not an exclusive
means, it is recognized as a very important identity mark. Did the
Lord give a name to His people collectively? Does the church He built
have a name? Please read the following statement. "For this reason I
bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the
whole family in heaven and earth is named" (Ephesians 3:14-15). The
verb "is named" is passive. The naming is "from" the Lord Jesus
Christ. W. E. Vine notes that this use of the verb means "to name,
call, give a name to" and cites Luke 6:13,14 as an example of what he
means. The passage in Luke says that Jesus chose twelve whom He also
named apostles.
The naming of the church is significant. The identify of the
Lord's people is expedited by knowing by what name the Lord intended for
them to wear. Were it not for this identifiable feature of the church,
more confusion would exist than presently does. When the Lord's people
are named by the Lord, those who wear that name, at least in part, may
be identified as the Lord's church, the very one He promised to build.
That the Lord named His church is clearly seen by the point made by W.
E. Vine.
Names do different things and are used for different purposes.
In our generation, a multitude of religious groups proudly boast a name
that denominates them and thus separates them from all other religious
groups. These are divisive names. With all genuine respect, the very
fact that some are denominated Methodists, others Baptists, others
Catholics, and any other kind of denominational name shows that division
is a reality. Denominational names divide people and destroy the unity
for which Jesus prayed.
There are names that simply denote relationship, rather than
personal identity. This is true of the name by which God's people are
known and identified. When the Lord called twelve men "apostles" that
name identified them in relation to Christ and the mission He designed
for them. They were sent out from Him with the saving message of the
gospel--thus apostles. Disciples designates those who stand in
relation to Christ as student to teacher. A disciple is a learner of
Christ. A Christian is one who is "of Christ." Christian denotes
relationship.
The name "Church of Christ" is a relational name that identifies
God's people. "Churches of Christ" is a biblical expression found in
Romans 16:16. Paul wrote, "the Churches of Christ salute you." This
expression is not designed to distinguish one religious group from all
others. In the first century, that was not necessary. Various names
such as "church", "the body of Christ," "the way," "the church of God,"
etc. all refer to the Lord's people. There were no different groups
who professed to be sectarian followers of Christ. The denominations
of the first century were sects of the Jewish religion. Today, that is
not the case. There are numerous groups all claiming to follow the
Lord's teaching but identified as human denominations.
It is essential to use the scriptural name for God's people. It
is also accommodative. One may travel from one community to another
that is completely strange to you and begin looking for the Lord's
people. The most accommodative way for you to find them is by the name
which identifies their relationship to Christ. While most Christians
know full well that the Lord did not give His church a name like the
denominational world uses, still some means is necessary by which to
identify the church Jesus promised to build in today's world. To refer
to a local group of the people of God as the Church of Christ in that
community, or to say they are members of the West End Church of Christ
in a certain city is such an accommodation. It is not an effort to
denominationalize the church.
James P. Miller once said, "you can have the right name on the
wrong church but you can't have the right church without the right
name." That is still sound logic and it is impossible to dispute it.
Some denominational groups use scriptural names such as "Church of God,"
or even "Assembly of God." That is abous the only thing that is
scriptural about them, however. Calling a denominational body that does
not resemble the New Testament church in any other aspect is a case in
point of having the right name on the wrong church.
Name are important. God changed Abram's name to Abraham to
signifiy a new relationship the great man entered. When God selected
him to be the father of many nations, Jehovah said, "Neither shall your
name any more be called Abram (exalted father) but your name shall be
Abraham (father of a multitude); for a father of many nations have I
made you" (Genesis 17:5). His ancestors were given a name, Israel.
Jacob's name was changed to Israel because he entered a new relationship
to Jehovah. The Almighty said to him, "Your name shall be called no
more Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince you have power with God and with
men you have prevailed" (Genesis 32:28). God's people in the Old
Testament had a definite name to wear, one which Jehovah gave them.
It is still essential to be properly identified by our
relationship to God. That is why the name "church of Christ" is one to
which every professed believer in Christ can agree to be identified.
Only blind and adamant denominational prejudice would prefer some human
name to the name given by Christ. Why will people persist in wearing a
name not found in the Bible anywhere? What would cause a person to
reject being identified with Christ by wearing the name, "Church of
Christ?" Please remember, this is the name Paul said that the Lord has
given.
As individual members of His church we are to wear the name
Christian. Christian is a name also given by the Lord. It is a name
the prophets prophesied would be given by the Lord. His prophetic
statement is, "And the Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all
kings your glory, and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth
of the Lord will name" (Isaiah 62:2). The righteousness and glory of
God's people was seen by the kings of the world as the gospel pervaded
the precincts of earth in the first century. At this time, the prophet
said the Lord would reveal a name to be given His people. It was to be
a new name. We look to Acts 11:26 which tell us, "And the disciples
were called Christians first in Antioch."
The name Christian is given by the mouth of the Lord. The
disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. But by whom were
they called Christians? Some argue that the calling was an effort to
insult the disciples by the opponents of Christianity. They affirm that
the people of Antioch called these disciples Christians in derision.
That is hardly possible. No disciple then, or now, would feel the
slightest bit insulted by any name which associates one with Christ.
Furthermore, there is a special verb used in this text. The normal verb
for calling is kaleo. This verb is different. It is the Greek verb
krematidzo. The verb is found eleven times in the New Testament is
always refers to a divine utterance, an oracle, or a divine calling.
This is the new name of Isaiah 62.
The name Christian is a worthy name. The inspired apostle James
asked, "Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by the which you are
called" (James 2:7). It is a worthy name because of its association
with Christ. The word Christian cannot be formed in the mind or the
mouth without first forming the word Christ. The apostle Peter wrote,
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil
doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as
a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this
behalf" (I Peter 4:15,16). There is only one name in which God's people
can glorify God -- the name Christian.
The name Christian is never modified. Today we hear of
"hyphenated Christians." One will say, "I am an _______ Christian,"
and someone else will admit to being another kind of Christian. But
there is only one kind of Christian in the Bible -- one who follows
Christ faithfully, and who is a member of the church Jesus built. We
probably develop this practice from our American heritage. We have
Italian - Americans, Jewish Americans, and native Americans. There
should be only one kind -- just an American. Equally, and more
important, there should be only one kind of Christian -- a Christian
only.
The name is important. If you are in some religious group that
does not show by its name that it is related to Christ, it is time to
exit from it and find the Lord's people--those who are named by the
Lord.
If you have a question about this, or any other Bible topic,
please let us know. We may be able to help you. Remember, if you would
like to receive "the Voice of West End," absolutely free, write to West
End Church of Christ, 1609 Parkside Drive, Bowling Green, Ky. 42101, or
call 842-7880. Until next Sunday, we all wish you and yours the very
best and hope you will remember to tune us in again. Tell your friends
about us. Until then, may God bless you and yours. Good Bye.
Radio Sermon No. 69
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Children's NT Studies
