"DIVINE NAME"

Does it make a Difference? Division is wrong, and the wearing of different religious names is largely responsible for division. The apostle Paul, inspired by God, wrote: " Now 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. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:10-13). Notice that the division that existed at Corinth, and was condemned, involved following different men and wearing the names which designated that. Actually, there are several reasons religious division is wrong: doctrinal differences and different desires (of both man and women) with regard to worship, and many more. But for this article, we will look only at one: the religious names which people wear. As the apostle Paul wrote, "Eph 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph. 4:3-6). The Lord never intended that His people be divided. Notice that there is "one body" (or church, Eph. 1:22-23) and "one faith". The Lord never intended that there be different faiths or different bodies (churches). The division in Corinth is exactly like that which exists in any city today. There are a number of religious groups, all claiming to follow Christ, but wearing different names. If it was wrong in Corinth as Paul says it was, it is wrong today also. The question needs to be asked today, and honestly answered: "Is Christ divided?" Wearing the names of Paul or Peter or Apollos divided the followers of Christ into different groups. Isn't it realistic to expect that the same Lord would say anything different to us today? The religious name a person wears is a true index to what he honors. For instance, the name "Lutheran" honors a person, Martin Luther. "Episcopal" honors the bishop rule of government. "Baptist" honors the practice of immersion. The name "Methodist" originated in the manner of the worship assemblies. And, of course, "Christian" honors Christ, the Savior of mankind. The very purpose of these names is to keep people separated. That was true in Corinth, it is true even today. The Lord, after His resurrection, gathered His apostles, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16). They did what He told them, and the result is stated thus: "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:41,47). These believers were just called "disciples." This word means: "follower." Thus we read of "John's disciples" and the "disciples of the Pharisees" (Mark 2:18). Those people who heard the teachings of Jesus, and followed them, were called His disciples. But note this: "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). The name was so common later that King Agrippa said to the apostle Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28). He was familiar with the name, "Christian," as were most folk at that time. And the Lord later commended the church in Pergamos in these words, "Thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith" (Rev. 2:13). Wearing the name of Christ was vital then, and it is just as vital for us today. There was a reason "Christian" was given as a name for the disciples to wear. This was in fulfillment of the prophecies of Isa. 56:5, 62:2, and 65:15 which foretold that a new name would be given when the Gentiles were brought into the fold of God, and that God would give this new name. The name "Christian" was given (Acts 11:26). This name means: "of Christ, or pertaining to Christ." so "Christian" indicates that one belongs to Christ. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.(1 Peter 4:15-16). The Scriptures gives the reason for exalting the name of Jesus Christ: "And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved"(Acts 4:12). Does it make a Difference? Count on it!