Radio Transcript

WHY I’M A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST (03)

THE NAME OF THE CHURCH

Broadcast Date – January 20, 2002 on KCXY (Y95) - 95.3 FM

One reason I am a member of the church of Christ is its name. It is not uncommon to hear the phrase, "There is nothing in a name." One poet has written, "A rose by any other name would smell so sweet." But friends, names are important! Names give identity. You can be sure that those persons who say there is nothing in a name are concerned about their names. You can be sure those persons would not want their names to be forged. Those persons who say there is nothing in a name are concerned about what they name their children.

Friends, names are not only important to men, they are also important to God. God has always attached great importance to names. When God created the first man, God gave him a name. "Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created" (Genesis 5:2). God allowed Adam to name all the animals. "And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:20). God changed Abram’s name (meaning exalted father) to Abraham (meaning father of a multitude). "Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee" (Genesis 17:5). Before the birth of John, Zacharias was told by the angel of God to name him John. "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Also notice verses fifty-seven through sixty-three of that same chapter. "Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all."

Before Jesus was born, the angel told Joseph, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The name "Jesus" means "savior." Also notice Matthew 1:22-23. "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

The New Testament gives various names to the church. Several terms describe the nature of the church. Jesus said, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:18-19). To the church at Ephesus, Paul wrote, "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-23). In his same letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul referred to the church as the temple of God. "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:20-22). In writing to Timothy, Paul referred to Christ’s church as the house of God. "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Timothy 3:15). Peter described the church as a royal priesthood and holy nation. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (I Peter 2:9).

Most often, however, it is simply called the church. Consider Jesus’ words to Peter. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Also notice Acts 2:47, "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

The word "church" means, "called out." Those persons who are members of Christ’s church are called out of sin and darkness and into faith in, and fellowship with, God. Simply using the word "church" was sufficient in Bible times because there were no denominations in existence as there are today. Friends, it’s still possible today for a person to be a member of Christ’s church without being a member of any denomination.

The Bible includes several terms for the church that imply ownership. The church is frequently referred to as the "church of God." Listen to Paul’s words to the elders of the church at Ephesus. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28). In Galatians 1:13, Paul wrote, "For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:"

The scriptures also refer to Christ’s church as the "churches of Christ." In Romans 16:16, Paul wrote, "The churches of Christ salute you." Jesus said, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). If it is Christ’s church (and it is), then it is the church of Christ. The phrase, "churches of Christ" refers to the various congregations of Christ’s church. It refers to those congregations of the church that meet in different localities, or geographical areas. It cannot refer to various denominations, for remember, there were no denominations in existence when Paul used the phrase, "churches of Christ."

In contrast to the church built by Christ, those churches that have been built by man often go by names that give glory and honor to man. Consider the Lutheran church, whose name gives honor to Martin Luther. Some churches built by man, such as the Church of Rome or Church of England, give honor to a particular locality with their name. Some of the churches built by man, such as the Baptist, the Seventh Day Adventist, and others give honor to a particular doctrine held by their group.

In contrast to the names of the many man made churches, the names of Christ’s church all give honor and glory to the Godhead.

The specific name given by God to those persons who are members of Christ’s church is simply, "Christian." Notice the following from Acts 11:26, "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Also consider Acts 26:28, "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Peter wrote, "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (I Peter 4:16).

Isaiah prophesied that God’s people would be called by a new name. Consider the following words from Isaiah, "For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name" (Isaiah 62:1-2). Notice three points from this text. First, salvation would go forth from Jerusalem. Second, the Gentiles would see God’s righteousness (salvation). Third, God’s people would be given a new name by the Lord.

Isaiah 62:1-2 was fulfilled in Acts 11:26. The gospel had gone forth from Jerusalem. Jesus had earlier told his apostles, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The Gentiles had received the gospel. The conversion of Cornelius is recorded in Acts 10:1-11. Acts 11:26 indicates the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Friends, names are important, especially when they are given by God. Salvation can be found only in the name of Christ. Notice the following from Acts 4:8-12. "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Friends, in order for a church to be the church we read about in the Bible, it must use a name that is found in the Bible.