Why the Name "Church of Christ"?

Matthew 16:13–20 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Because Jesus called it “His” Church.

Names are Important.

Corporations are extremely insistent upon their product name being emphasized correctly in advertising (jingles, etc.).

If someone uses a derogatory or defamatory term to describe us, our reaction is usually hostile. If someone called you a “traitor” or a “liar”, what would your reaction be? Many are brought into court on a normal basis on the charge of public slander.

Names matter. What we call others, and the terms we use to describe things, are important. Without that emphasis, there is confusion.

God holds names as being important.

Gen. 5:2 - Adam

Gen. 32:27-28 Jacob

1 Cor. 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Not just important for individuals, but for The Church as well.

Is it the ONLY name?

“My Church” - Matt. 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

“The Church at...” - Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

“Church of God at...” - 1 Cor. 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

“The body of Christ” - Eph. 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

“The house of God” / “The church of the living God” - 1 Tim. 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

“Church of the first born” - Heb. 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

“Churches of Christ” - Rom. 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Any other names of identification are simply inaccurate, and not descriptive of the Body.

Such terms as the “church of God”, “church of the firstborn”, in their use, acknowledge His headship – we must be aware that those terms do not always indicate a true church. In Corinth, there were those who said they were “of Christ” who had formed a warring sect, competing among other such groups to be “the one”.

Because there is only ONE Church that we want to be identified with.

The Bible Emphasizes ONE Church.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Many would have us believe that there are actually MULTIPLE bodies, composed of MANY different spirits.

Others would have us believe that they are just the same as we are, when their faith and practices are different from what the Bible teaches.

This confusion should not be so. We should listen to our God.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

The Bible does mention “churches” (plural).

1 Cor. 15:1-4 - When the plural form is used, it does not refer to different denominations, all teaching different doctrines, offering different plans of salvation and diverse in their practice and worship; but rather to congregations who have obeyed the same Gospel.

We are not born so that we can be just “part of a Church”, but we are born again to see and enter the Kingdom of God - His rule!

John 3:3-5 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Different churches are similar only in their uniform faith and practice.

Eph. 4:1-13 - KEEP the “Unity of the Spirit” - COME TO the “Unity of the Faith”

Spirit: We agree with each other on the basics!

Faith: We believe and practice all the same things!

Phil 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

YES, we have different congregations, but the model is for all of us to be unified in doctrine and practice - NOT different doctrines and different practices!

1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Because we need to be clear to the world.

We cannot be ashamed of the name of Jesus.

Jesus is our Head.

Eph. 1:22 “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,”

“Head” – means overseer, “boss”, “master”, and “Lord”...

The true church of Christ will actually be governed by Him, answering to His every command, and standing ready to prove the justice of their teaching and practice. – who dares to honestly and genuinely do that now? We dare to follow our Master!

Some propose changing the name of a local church for the sake of evangelism. If those around you know what the name “church of Christ” means, then it could be interpreted as deceptive to do so.

Romans 12:17-18 “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Not just about admitting we believe in Jesus - it is STANDING for Him.

Mark 8:34–38 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Many seem glad to “sit” in Christ. However, we are called to stand for him. Sometimes that means being the “odd man out”!

Be led by the Spirit.

Romans 8:12–17 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Galatians 5:16–18; 22-25 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. […] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.