Does the Name Matter? - Ben Bailey

Does the Name Matter?

Recently someone told me they thought it didn’t matter what a church called itself as long as they worshipped correctly. Is this true according to the Bible? Could a church called itself any name and be acceptable to God as long as they worship correctly? Let’s consider for a moment why it does matter what the church called itself. In fact, just like worshipping God correctly is essential, going by what the rest of the Bible says about the church is also essential. Notice why this is true.

The name of the church is important because the Bible tells us not to add to or take away from God’s Word (Rev. 22:18-19). If the name of a church is not found in the Bible, we would be adding to God’s Word. If the name is found in the Bible and we choose to call it by something not found in the Bible, we would be taking away from it.

The name of the church is important because the Bible specifically tells us not to go beyond what is written (1 Cor. 4:6). If the name of a church is not found in Scripture we are going “beyond what is written.”

The name of the church is important because we are to do everything by the authority of Christ, who is the Head of the church (Col. 3:17; Mt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23). Whatever God, Christ or the Holy Spirit referred to the church as is what we should refer to it as.

The name of the church is important because the name we call the church should only bring honor and glory to God, Christ or the Holy Spirit not men (1 Cor. 10:31). If the church is called the church of Mark or Mark’s church, who is that bringing honor to?

The name of the church is important because the Jesus died for and shed His blood for His church (Acts 20:28). The act of Jesus dying on the cross purchased the church. Since it was his blood that paid the price for the church, it should wear His name (Mt. 16:18).

The name of the church is important because the name shows ownership and the Lord as the builder and founder of the church is the only one who has the right to be owner of the church (Mt. 16:13-18).

The name of the church is important because the church is the Bride of Christ and as His bride it should wear His name (Eph. 5:22-31).

The name of the church is important because we are only to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11). Here are the names the Bible refers to the church as:

Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Mt. 16:13-18). Thus, it is the church of Jesus or the church of Christ.

It is referred to as the church of the Lord (Acts 20:28).

It is referred to as the church of God in Scripture (1 Cor. 1:1-2; Gal. 1:13)

It is referred to as the church of the Living God (1 Tim. 3:15).

It is referred to as the church of Christ (Rom. 16:16; Gal. 1:22).

It is referred to as the church of the firstborn, which is another name for Jesus (Heb. 12:23; Col. 1:15-19; Rom. 8:29).

The name of the church is important because calling the church by men’s names or denominational names is specifically and explicitly condemned in Scripture (1 Cor. 1:10-13).

Friend, a careful study of the Scripture helps us to see that what we call the church really does matter. We need to call the church by names that are in Scripture and that bring honor and glory to God not men. May God help us to glorify the church Jesus died for in everything we say and do! --Ben Bailey