t he n ew t estament c hurch a s criptural n ame

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

A SCRIPTURAL NAME

INTRODUCTION

• In order to build according to the Divine Pattern, the Church of God upon the earth, must be called by a name designated by the God of Heaven and found in the pages of His word.

NAME

WHY THE NAMES GIVEN BY MEN ARE WRONG:

• Divisive in character, given to designate peculiar parties, sectarian in purpose and effect, separating some professed believers from others by peculiar name, thereby antagonistic to the spirit of Christ.– “I do not pray for these alone, but also for

those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” {John 17:20,21}

NAME


• Condemned in the New Testament scriptures.– “For it has been declared to me concerning

you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ.“ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” {1 Corinthians 1:11-13}

NAME


• Given to honor some person such as “Lutheran,” or exalt some ordinance, such as “Baptist,” or to designate some peculiar manner of Church government as “Methodist” or “Presbyterian” thus diverting honor belonging only to Christ.

NAME


• Acts as a stumbling block to sinners, confusing, creates impression that God has many churches and that any thing is all right in the name of Christianity and if anything is all right, then nothing is all right.

NAME

WHAT IS THE GOD-GIVEN NAME WORN IN NEW TESTAMENT DAYS?

• A new name to be designated by God, given by Divine Authority.

• Not to be given until the Gentiles had seen God’s righteousness.

• “The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.” {Isaiah 62:2}


• To be borne by Paul.

• “But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” {Acts 9:15}


• Fulfilled at Antioch of Syria.

• “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” {Acts 11:26}

THE NAME “CHRISTIAN.”

• “Were Called”—”Chrematidzo” means to speak as an oracle, to be divinely warned, to be called or named by a divine source.”

• It could not have been given in derision. – “So that the rest of mankind may seek the

LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.” {Acts 15:17}

NAME


• Accepted by Paul. • “Then Agrippa said to Paul, You almost persuade me to become a Christian. And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” {Acts 26:28,29}


• Glorify God in this name.

• “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” {1 Peter 4:14-16}


• A worthy name. • “Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?” {James 2:7}


• Names applied to the church in general.

• “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours?” {1 Corinthians 1:2}


• Names applied to the church in general.

• “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.” {Romans 16:16}


• In different phases it is called:– Kingdom of God

• “…The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.” {Matthew 13:24}

• …The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed .”(13:31)

• “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls.”(13:45)


• In different phases it is called:– Body of Christ

• “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body...” {Ephesians 1:22,23}

• “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” {Colossians 1:18}


• In different phases it is called:– House of God

• “But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” {1 Timothy 3:15,16}

NAMES APPLIED TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

• Christians • “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” {Acts 11:26}


• Saints • “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.” {Philippians 4:21}


• Disciples • “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.” {Acts 16:1}


• Disciples • “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” {Acts 20:7}


• Brethren • “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” {Colossians 1:2}


• These names are individual names and were never in scripture applied to the Church, hence the Church cannot be scripturally be called “The Christian Church.”

• “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.” {1Peter 4:11}

WHY ONLY THE NAME GOD HAS GIVEN SHOULD BE WORN:

• The Church is the Bride of Christ and should wear His name.

• “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” {2 Corinthians 11:2}


• The Church is God’s Family, should wear His name.

• “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}


• Whatever we do must be done by the authority of Christ.

• “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” {Colossians 3:17}


• It is the only name in which unity can exist. Among the man-made names, the plea that one name is as good as another is true, but none can equal the name of Christ!

• “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” {Philippians 2:9,11}


• The Plea of all religious leaders

• Luther– “Do not call

yourselves Lutherans.”

• Wesley– “I would to God that

all party names were forgotten.”

• Campbell– “Abandon all party

names and take the name Christian.”


• It is the only name in which man can be saved.

• “This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.‘ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” {Acts 4:11,12}


• To the name of Christ every tongue must confess!

• “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” {Philippians 2:9,11}

t he n ew t estament c hurch a s criptural n ame

Documents