by David Dann
Synopsis: Are the denominational designations worn by many who claim to be Christians harmless labels, or are they symptomatic of deeper spiritual problems?
Followers of Christ are referred to by various designations in the New Testament, each of which is fitting as it relates to some aspect of the individual’s relationship to God in Christ (Acts 2:47; 5:14; 9:2; 11:26; 20:7; Rom. 8:14; 12:5; 1 Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:14; 1 John 3:1). As Christians, true followers of Christ wear a name that is noble and honorable because they wear the name of Christ (Jas. 2:7).
Of Barnabas and Saul, the Bible says, “So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26, NKJV). Who gave them this name? “The word in our common text which we translate “were called” signifies, in the New Testament, to ‘appoint, warn, or nominate,’ by divine direction” (Clarke, 987). Every time this word (Greek chrematizo) is used in the New Testament it refers to instruction from God (Matt. 2:12, 22; Luke 2:26; Acts 10:22; 11:26; Rom. 7:3; Heb. 8:5; 11:7; 12:25). Therefore, it should be understood that followers of Christ have been labeled “Christians” by God Himself.
To His followers, Jesus said, “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Mark 9:41). Those who wear the name of Christ are those who belong to Christ. Paul writes, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). To wear the name “Christian” is to be identified as one who has obeyed the gospel of Christ and as a disciple of Christ.
By being designated as “Christians,” the followers of Jesus honor His holy and exalted name (Phil. 2:9). It is clear that no one else deserves to be honored in this way, since Paul wrote of Jesus, saying, “He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18). To wear the name “Christian” is to honor the Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us.
The apostle Peter wrote to his fellow disciples concerning persecution, saying, “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Pet. 4:16). There are many names and labels that one would be ashamed to wear, such as “adulterer,” “heretic,” “evildoer,” or “idol worshiper.” However, a true follower of Christ can unashamedly glorify God while wearing the name “Christian.”
When Paul preached to King Agrippa, the Bible says, “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’ And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains’” (Acts 26:28-29). Please notice that Paul did not reject the idea that Agrippa should become a “Christian.” Nor did he try to persuade him to become something in addition to a “Christian.” Instead, Paul wanted Agrippa to become the same thing he was—a Christian. To simply be a “Christian,” without adding to, or taking away from, what is prescribed by Christ, is to promote unity among those who would follow Christ.
In most cases, people who claim to follow Christ are not content to refer to themselves simply as “Christians.” They claim to be Christians, but refer to themselves using labels not found in Scripture, such as, “Roman Catholic,” “Greek Orthodox,” “Baptist,” “Lutheran,” “Presbyterian,” “Methodist,” “Episcopalian,” “Pentecostal,” “Mennonite,” “Seventh-Day Adventist,” “Evangelical,” “Charismatic,” “Calvinist,” or “Reformed.” Religious people who claim Christ as their Lord wear other names besides the name given by God to identify the followers of Christ (Acts 11:26). The confusion created by this approach did not originate with God but has instead come about as a result of human wisdom injected into spiritual matters (1 Cor. 14:33).
Since only “one faith” has been established by the Lord, man is not free to develop many different religious “faiths” from which people may choose and by which they may label themselves (Eph. 4:5). The “pattern of sound words” given in Scripture provides no authorization for Christ’s followers to create and wear religious designations of their own devising (2 Tim. 1:13). To wear man-made religious designations is to announce that one is practicing man-made religion. Jesus warned against this approach, saying, “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). Denominational names are not authorized by the word of God.
The New Testament contains an example of Christians applying additional designations to themselves. To the church in Corinth, Paul writes, “Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:12-13). Instead of regarding these additional labels as harmless innovations, Paul sternly rebukes these Christians for foolishly engaging in divisive behavior. The wearing of man-made names in religion simply serves to divide those who should stand united in Christ.
Concerning the name of the Lord, the apostles spoke to the Jewish leaders, saying, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Since Jesus Christ is the only Savior, why should those who claim to follow Christ think that it is acceptable to refer to themselves as “Lutheran,” “Wesleyan,” “Mennonite,” or, “Calvinist?” While one can glorify God by wearing the name “Christian” (1 Pet. 4:16), God is not glorified when those who claim to follow Christ label themselves in ways that do not honor Him.
There is no shame in wearing the name of Christ because He is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens” (Heb. 7:26). On the other hand, those who wear the names of various denominations must often bear the shame of the sinful acts that have been perpetrated by the founders and leaders of those organizations.
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). To be “carnal” (Greek sarkikos) is to be “under the control of the animal appetites... governed by mere human nature... not by the Spirit of God” (Thayer, 569). Paul rebuked the Corinthians for adopting man-made religious labels with these words: “For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal?” (1 Cor. 3:3-4). Denominational names serve to spotlight the carnal mindset of those who wear them.
While followers of Christ are referred to by different acceptable designations in Scripture, we cannot please God by adopting religious labels that are not approved according to the New Testament. We may honor and glorify the Lord as we identify ourselves with Him in simply serving Him as “Christians” and in seeking unity and peace with all others who do so. However, we dare not dishonor the Christ who died for us by wearing the denominational designations devised by men.
Clarke, Adam. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible. Edited by Ralph Earle. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1967.
Thayer, Joseph Henry. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1889, 1999.
Author Bio: David has been working with the Hebron Lane church of Christ in Shepherdsville, KY since 2016. He and his wife, Cynthia, have been blessed with six children. The church website is hebronlane.com. He can be reached at ddann1@hotmail.com.
