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Introduction

God gives Moses His name: Ex. 3:13-15

Three important principles about names: Names have meaning and

significance: “I AM”; cf. Rom. 1:20

Names denote relationships: Ex. 5:2

Names are a memorial to identity and character: Gal. 6:16

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Introduction

Examples: AbramAbraham: Gen. 17:4-5 JacobIsrael: Gen. 32:28 Geographic names: Gen. 28:19; 1

Sam. 7:12 New Testament names:

Jesus: Matt. 1:21

Immanuel: Matt. 1:23

Golgotha: Matt. 27:33

Cephas: Jn. 1:42

Part 11: Name of the ChurchExodus 3:13-15

The New Testament

Church

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Denominational Names

Denominationalists affirm: “There’s nothing in a name. A rose smells as sweet by any other name.”

Their names are inherently divisive and sectarian (e.g., Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, etc.)

So they deny their names mean anything.

They admit their names are not found in the Bible.

But they use their names to differentiate them-selves from other denominations!

Name of the Church

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Denominational Names

In reality their unique names contradict the notion “There’s nothing in a name.”

Why use their peculiar names? Because names do mean something!

“Is God offended by names He never mentions in Scripture?”

“Is God offended by names that identify and honor sectarian doctrines, concepts and practices?”

Name of the Church

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Denominational Names

Answer: “Why do these different names arise?”

SECTARIANISM

Sect is a group that separates itself based on its own peculiar beliefs and practices.

Dictionary.com: “a group regarded as heretical or as deviating from generally accepted religious tradition.”

“Heresy” in NT describes an ungodly party spirit that fractures the unity of God’s people: Gal. 5:19-21

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Denominational Names

Sectarianism arises from a false understanding of the nature of the NT church (Gal. 5:19-21).

Sectarians often abuse John 15:1-6 to justify their error. Christ is the vine and denominations are

the branches.

No! Christ is the “vine” BUT “branches” are individual Christians! Jn. 15:6

Christ’s church is a “brotherhood” of Christians not a “sisterhood” of churches: Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:30; Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-17; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Pet. 2:17

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Origin of Denominationalism

Denominationalism can be traced to two causes:

Carnality: Acts 20:28-31; 1 Cor. 4:6

Faith Only: Jas. 2:24

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Origin of Denominationalism

Carnality: Began very early in the church:

1 Cor. 1:17-25; 3:1-4

Manifested by a party spirit: 1 Cor. 1:10-11

Paul condemned it: 1 Cor. 3:1-4

Paul responded to it: 1 Cor. 1:10-13

Church was united in first century: Eph. 4:4-6

Name of the Church

Similar questions remain legitimate today:

Was Luther or Calvin crucified for you?

Were you baptized into the name of Wesley or Campbell?

Is there nothing in a name?

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Origin of Denominationalism

Faith only: Common element among nearly

all denominations.

Developed by theology of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin.

Once men believe salvation is by “faith only” nothing else matters.

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Origin of Denominationalism

Faith only: We are justified by “obedience to

the faith” not by “faith only”: Rom. 1:5; 16:26

“Faith only” is condemned by God: Jas. 2:24, 26

“Works” + “faith” = “salvation”: Eph. 2:10; Gal. 5:6

A “working faith” as in the Hall of Fame of the Faithful: Heb. 11Name of the

Church

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Origin of Denominationalism

Faith only: Jesus only becomes our “Lord”

when we obey Him: Lk. 6:46; Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:21-23

More to “faith” than “belief”: Jas. 2:19; Jn. 14:15

The proof we really know God is found in “faithful obedience”: 1 Jn. 2:3-5

Rejection of sectarianism and assent to the NT pattern requires an “obedient faith.”

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Name of God and Christ

Does the New Testament church have a name?

Ownership: Eph. 3:10-11; 2:19; 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; Acts 8:12; Col. 1:13

Relationship: Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18; Matt. 28:18; Eph. 5:23-25; Col. 1:13; Jas. 4:11-12; Eph. 1:14; Acts 20:28

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Name of God and Christ

Bible has several names related to God and Christ: “church of God”: Acts 20:28 1 Cor. 1:2;

10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 3:15

“churches of God”: 1 Cor. 11:16; 1 Thess. 2:14; 2 Thess. 1:4

“church of the in God and the Lord Jesus Christ”: 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 2:1

“churches of God which are in in Christ Jesus”: 1 Thess. 2:14

“churches of Christ”: Rom. 16:16

“the church”: Rev. 2:1, 8; 3:14

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Name of God and Christ

Three things are abundantly clear:

The New Testament church does not have one, specific, scriptural and exclusive name.

In the New Testament we find a variety of names each expressing the relationship or characteristic in regards to God and/or Christ.

The notion there is nothing important in a name is not something taught in the New Testament.

Name of the Church

Thus, any name we wish to apply to

ourselves is acceptable if it meets these

scriptural criteria (1 Peter 4:11).

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Conclusion

Denominations take their names seriously except when they involve honoring God, Christ and His word.

Sectarian doctrines, practices, and names are an affront to God because they are indicative of the divisive and sectarian at-titudes which define denominationalism.

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Conclusion

We are not out to “bash and browbeat” denominations; simply pointing out they are in error: Ezek. 33; Gal. 4:16; Psa. 141:5

Wearing a scriptural name will not make an individual or a church these things: Rev. 3:1

We do not claim to have an exclusive franchise on the truth or the name “church of Christ”: Acts 2:38, 41, 47; Eph. 4:4; 2 Jn. 9; Col. 3:17

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and

learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30