by R. L. Morrison

It is not unusual to hear someone say that in religion a name makes no difference. One is just as good as another. The application of this principle is made both to churches and to individuals. This is so often said that many people have come to believe it is true, and that the Bible so teaches. But if one tries to apply this idea to things that pertain to affairs of every day life, it is immediately rejected. The reason is obvious. When one takes or sends money to the bank, does it make any difference in whose name the money is deposited? When one sends the money for payment on an item purchased on credit, does it make any difference to whom credit for the payment is given? Do you know a man who is willing to allow his wife to wear some other man's name? Or a wife, who is not satisfied with her husband's name, but wears the name of some other man? The answers to these questions will reveal how inconsistent some people are in matters of religion. Some people would probably say "A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet" is from the Bible, but it is not. A rose would smell the same regardless of the name by which it might be called. However, it would not be a rose: It would have another name!

In the realm of religion, the only reliable source of information to which we can turn for answers is the Bible, the Word of God. In it we find some things concerning the name God has selected for His people, as well as the name given to the church Jesus built. If one is interested in this information it is easily learned. Let us examine some of it!

The prophet Isaiah, who lived about 500 B. C., foretold some things that God would bring to pass later. God said He would not rest until righteousness would go forth as brightness and salvation as a lamp that burneth. At that time, "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" (Isa. 62:1-2). Just previously, he had written, "Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off" (Isa. 56:5).

Righteousness, the gospel, went forth from Jerusalem, where the apostles began to reveal it. At first, the gospel was preached only to the Jews, but Peter, by revelation, went to the home of a Gentile named Cornelius. Peter was made to understand that God intended for all people to hear and obey it (Acts 10). Later, Saul of Tarsus was sent by Christ to preach to the Gentiles as Paul, the apostle (Acts 9:1-16). Isaiah had prophesied that after the Gentiles had seen God's righteousness, he would call his people by a new name, one that God should name. Isaiah also said this name would be given to them in God's house and within God's walls.

In 1 Tim. 3:15, Paul wrote: "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." We have now found that the house of God is the New Testament church. The church consists of people, living stones, who make up the spiritual house of God (1 Peter 2:5). It was to these people the promise of the new name was made. But when did God reveal it? The scriptures are not silent concerning this. In Acts 11:26, we find the answer: "And when he had found him, he brought him to 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." The disciples, those who composed the church, the family of God in Antioch, were called Christians. This was first done in Antioch, after the Gentiles had seen the righteousness of God. This is the new name that God chose for his people to wear.

But the objection is raised, "Oh, certainly, we are all Christians. We just wear other names to distinguish between us. It really doesn't make any difference. It doesn't mean anything!" Is this true? The church is pictured as the bride of Christ, married to him (Rom. 7:4). What right has the church, married to Christ, have to call itself by the name of another? John the Baptist was the friend of Christ. Why should one call himself by the name of the friend and not the husband, if married to Christ? How can one select by one's own will or volition a name to wear religiously instead of the name God gave? Why should one prefer the man-selected name in preference to the one God gave? It really does make a difference: the difference between being right and being wrong, between obeying or disobeying God. Why should the people of God distinguish between themselves, when they are to be of the same mind and judgment, and walk by the same rules? (1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 3:16).

The name of the church designates ownership. Since Christ purchased it with his blood (Acts 20:28), it belongs to him. In New Testament times it was called by His name: "the church of Christ" (Rom. 16:16). We read of several churches in the scriptures, each in a different city or area, but each a part of the blood bought possession of Jesus Christ. Not one of them is called by a man's name, or by a name given by a man. If it doesn't make a difference, why did the inspired men who revealed the truth call the church by the name of Christ, and its members Christians? The church is not called Christian. Disciples were so called, but the church of the New Testament belongs to Christ. It is called by his name.

Perhaps one reason for the lack of concern about the name is a lack of respect for the authority of Jesus Christ. We should remember that "God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil. 2:9-11). Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). His word teaches that his disciples are called Christians.

There are many different religious groups today, each wearing a different name. There is the Baptist church, the Methodist, the Presbyterian, Lutheran, Adventist, Roman Catholic and many others. Each group calls itself by its own name. For example, a member of the Baptist church calls himself a Baptist. Those in the Methodist church call themselves Methodists. No member of the Baptist church will call himself a Methodist. Nor will a Lutheran call himself a Mormon. Yet the majority of these people think they are Christians, and some consider other groups to be Christians also. But IF they are all Christians, why do they all call themselves by different names? And the names they wear are not to be found in the New Testament!

The church in Corinth was divided. They claimed to be followers of different men. Paul rebuked them severely for so doing. Some said, "I am of Apollos", others claimed to be of Cephas, and still others of Paul. He asked, "Is Christ divided? Or was Paul crucified for you?" But just previously, he gave them this instruction: "I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor. 1:10). This is not at all difficult to understand. The gospel of Christ requires that those who accept it be of one mind, believing the same things, practicing the same things, and wearing the same name.

When people learn to call Bible things by Bible names, and do the things the gospel requires in the way the gospel teaches they are to be done, there will be a great difference in the religious world. However, it seems that more and more DIFFERENT religious groups or churches are being brought into existence. The result of this will not be less, but more confusion, more strife and discord in and among those who claim to be serving God.

In conclusion: Yes! A name does make a difference. The difference is being RIGHT or being WRONG! Do you wear a religious name? IS the name you wear authorized by the word of God? If not, why not?