Jesus Named and Started His Church
I listen to talk radio when I am driving. I love political, news, and sports talk radio. Often the following scenario will happen involving someone on hold trying to get on the air to talk. At some point, the host will acknowledge the next caller by saying his name. Maybe that name is “Mike”. However, the caller quickly objects saying that his name is “Mark”.
Why would the caller take the time to do that? It is not likely that there will be anyone listening to a national talk show who even knows the caller anyway. Now, the host is obligated to apologize for the mistake. And, time has been wasted that could have been used in good discussion. So, why all the fuss over such an insignificant issue?
Well, the answer is really quite obvious. An individual’s name is no insignificant issue. It represents the identity of the person. It represents the family from which he or she comes. It is the name that was given to them by someone who loved them. It means something and should be honored.
The name of the Lord’s Church carries the same significance. Jesus told Peter, “…on this rock I will build My church…” (Matthew 16:18). Later, Paul said that Jesus is “the Head of the Church” (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18). Therefore, the name of the Church ought to give honor and credit to the One Who is its Head—Jesus. The identity of the Church (its name) is significant.
The signification—Church of Christ—honors Jesus. His Church carries His name. It calls rightful attention to the source of our authority. With this name, we cannot say anything about the Church without honoring Jesus as we do. This is the right thing to do.
Furthermore, it honors the Biblical principle found in Colossians 3:17, “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.” Anything done “in the name of” someone is done under the authority or approval of that person. It is appropriate that we speak of the Lord’s Church with the name that honors Jesus. And, it is a name by which the Church was known in the first century (Romans 16:16). “Church of the Firstborn” (Hebrews 12:23) honors Jesus as well. God is a fit being to be honored in a church’s name. “Church of God” (Acts 20:28) and “Church of the Living God” (I Timothy 3:15) do just that.
The name of the Church is tied closely to the establishment of the Church. Jesus said, “I will build My Church…” (Matthew 16:18). He promised to build or begin His Church. That Church began on the day of Pentecost around the year 33 AD. The event is recorded in Acts 2. His Church wears His name and started on His command.
The sad truth is that church names have become ways to divide people into competing groups rather than an identity that loudly proclaims to the lost world that the people are united in Jesus. Jesus never intended for His people to be so divided. He never wanted us to cloister under names that honor people rather than the God of the people.
— Mike Johnson
