Is There Anything in a Name?

Does it matter what we call ourselves religiously? Do you say, "There is nothing in a name?" If so, why not name your child Jezebel, Rover or Judas? There is something in a name!

Names have always been important. God named Adam, which meant "red earth". Eve's name meant "mother of all living". Abram's name was changed to Abraham, which meant "father of a multitude," Jacob (the supplanter) was changed to " Israel ." The Son of God was called Jesus which meant "savior."

Isaiah prophesied, "and the nations (gentiles) shall see thy righteousness. ..and thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of Jehovah shall name" (Isaiah 62:2). This prophecy was fulfilled some 700 years later when "the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch " (Acts 11:26).

Christ's disciples are spiritually married to him ( Rom. 7:4). It is only right that they wear His name, Christian. Christian was the accepted name in the days of the apostles. King Agrippa said, "Almost thou persuadeth me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28). Peter wrote, "If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye...if any man suffer as a Christian...let him glorify God in this name" (1 Pet. 4:14-16). God wants us to glorify Him in the name Christian.

SOME IMPORTANT THINGS ARE IN A NAME: MERCY - (2 Chron. 7:14) "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

SALVATION - (Acts 4:12) "Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

The Bible uses a number of names or expressions to describe the organization (the saved, Acts 2:47) to which Christians belong: 1) The household of the faith (Gal. 6:10); 2) The kingdom of his dear son (Col. 1:13); 3) The house of God (1 Tim. 3:15); 4) The church of God (1 Cor. 1:2); 5) The body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27); 6) "the church" (Acts 8:1; 9:31); and 7) In referring to local congregations Paul said, "The churches of Christ..." (Rom. 16:16). These all have reference to one and the same organization; the church we read about in the New Testament.

In view of the importance of names and Apostle Paul's condemnation of division and taking on party names (1 Cor. 1:10-13) shouldn't we just be a Christian and nothing more?

The church of Christ at Forum welcomes visitors and/or private home studies. See the link below for contact information: www.ForumCOC.org