"For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him. . ." Numbers 23:9

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THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER

July 2005
Volume 2..........................Number 7
Crum, West Virginia

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THE DISCIPLES WERE CALLED CHRISTIANS - WHAT ARE YOU CALLED?

(Please . . . take the necessary time to open your Bibles as you read this article, and look up each and every passage I refer to. Thanks! The reason for this article in July’s issue of MM is because of a comment I received this a few weeks ago here at Crum. I was speaking with a denominational person, and in the course of the conversation he said, "Well, the name we wear really does not matter, does it?" I answered him with the title above. I further answer him with the article following. - JEF)

By James E. Farley

I am well aware that many who will read these words are members of one of the many denominational churches. I am NOT writing these things to cause you to become angry with me. However, I do indeed intend to "stir up your minds" a little. (2 Peter 3:1). Now, I fully realize what CAN happen when people get "stirred up" but it is not my intention to cause any to become my enemy. I just want to tell you the Truth from the Word of God concerning these most important matters. Please open your Bibles right now, and read the context that surrounds Acts 19:23 concerning some who were stirred by Paul’s preaching and teaching. However, Paul’s motivation for teaching against some things was LOVE. I know this is so, for the apostle wrote that we are to be ". . . speaking the truth in love . . ." (Ephesians 4:15). Still, it does not take an "Einstein" to understand that some will become offended at the Truth, and even consider themselves the enemies of those who teach the Truth. It has always been so . . . it is so today. (Matthew 15:7-13, especially verses 12 and 13; read too Galatians 4:16).

It is with a motivation of love, therefore, that I call your attention to some things concerning the name we are to wear in religion.

Some will try to quote William Shakespeare and say, "A rose by any other name smells as sweet." But friends, while this sounds good, it is still something that a mere man coined and said, and this sentiment is not from the Word of God.

But, we hear some exclaim, "The name doesn’t matter. One name is as good as another."

Is this so? Let’s test it, ok? You husbands reading the article, would you allow your wife to be called, "Mrs. James E. Farley"? NO!!! You would not allow it, would you? But why not? Why not allow it, if a name does not matter? You see, a name does matter . . . and YOU fully realize that a name matters, don’t you? People just say a name does not matter when it comes to religion because they are so emotionally tied to their own denomination. It could be that their parents or grandparents were also members of the sect they belong to, and it seems to them that to reject their denomination’s name is somehow to reject Mom and Dad or Grandpa and Grandma…But listen to Jesus the Christ, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." You will want to read this in its context. Read Matthew 10:32-39 and compare this with Luke 14:25-33.

Allow me to further illustrate that the name does indeed matter. What if you came to me for a job and I hired you at $18 per hour. You work a 40 hour week and come to me anticipating your paycheck. I give you the check, but when you attempt to cash it you notice that I have not signed my name to it. It will not do you much good without my name on it, will it? Maybe I did sign the paycheck, but signed it with another name, not my own. It just will not work that way, will it? You see, the name does make a difference, right?

We see then that the name . . . the right name . . . . makes all the difference. The church we read about in the New Testament is, the bride of Christ. (John 3:28-30; Ephesians 5:21-33; Revelation 19:6-9; 21:9-ff). If this is so, then do you not think it right and proper for the bride to bear the name of her husband? What would a groom think if his fiancé said to him the night before the wedding, "Honey, I look forward to marrying you, but I want to wear the name of my former boyfriend because he once saved my life?" I don’t think we have to go any further with this illustration, for you KNOW how the groom would answer such a request, don’t you?

You see, a name is important for it gives honor and identification. This is why you husbands would not agree for your own wives to wear my name, right? It just is not right. Well, why is it that men will set aside the name of Christ and wear a name in religion that gives honor to some man, or that identifies them with some kind of church organization or doctrine? Some wear the name "Lutheran" to honor Martin Luther of Germany! Others wear the name "Presbyterian" to identify themselves with a certain kind of church government and organization. Still others wear the name "Baptist" because they believe in baptizing, etc.

THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

The New Testament reveals there is something called, "the doctrine of Christ." The doctrine of Christ is simply the teaching of Christ. We have these teachings in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John . . . as well as in the writings of the divinely inspired apostles and prophets of the New Testament age. Just because something was penned by Paul or by James or John, does not mean that it is not the doctrine of Christ. Paul wrote, in fact, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant." (I Corinthians 14:37-38). This is why he admonishes us to . . . not think of men above that which is written . . ." (I Corinthians 4:6). To teach or preach anything contrary to the gospel which was once and for all time delivered is to receive a curse from heaven! (Galatians 1:6-10; Jude 3).

With all that in mind . . . you need to know that in the New Testament . . . in "the doctrine of Christ," members of the Lord’s church are called, members of Christ, disciples of Christ, believers, saints, priests, and children of God." (I Corinthians 12:27; 6:15; Romans 12:4-5; Acts 6:1, 7; 11:26; Acts 5:14; 2 Corinthians 6:15; Acts 9:13; Romans 1:7; Philippians 1:1; I Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; Galatians 3:26-29; etc. - Remember, you are going to look up and read each passage of Scripture . . . )

We never see denominational names in "the doctrine of Christ. The Word says, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 9-11).

THE SEED PRINCIPLE

Let us illustrate this with the figure of "the seed". Everyone knows that an apple seed produces an apple tree, and nothing else, right? Who in their right mind would contend that you could plant an apple seed and get a California Redwood? But why is it so? Why is it that a seed produces ONLY after its kind? Well, simply put . . . it is because God said so. (Genesis 1:11-12). But there must be a scientific explanation . . . what is it? Well, each and every seed contains "information" in the form of DNA and RNA. The seed "knows" what it is because of this information inside of it. An apple seed "knows" it is an apple seed, and that it will produce an apple tree.

Jesus Christ said that the Word of God is "seed". (Luke 8:11). And just like physical seed there is information inside it. When only the Word (God’s seed) is planted in the heart of an honest and good person, it will produce ONLY what the information inside the "seed" says. What does the "seed" say will be produced? CHRISTIANS ONLY . . . The Bible ONLY will produce Christians ONLY!!! One could mix the seed of tares and thorns in with the Word and get something else . . . . or one could tamper with the "seed" and get something else. In fact, this precisely what has happened in the denominational world. I have often said, lovingly and honestly, that if one could find the name Baptist, or Presbyterian, or Methodist, etc. in the New Testament, I would certainly wear such a name, and work hard to encourage others to do the same. However my friends, I cannot find such designations in the Bible. Can you? Read Matthew 15:7-13.

PROPHECY OF A NEW NAME

In addition to the above designations for members of Christ’s church, we read that the disciples were called "Christians" (Acts 11:26). In fact, the name "Christian" is found three times in the New Testament. King Herod told Paul that he was "almost persuaded" to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28). The inspired Peter wrote, . . . if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name" (I Peter 4:16)

My above mentioned friend suggested to me that this name - "Christian" - was a name that was given by unbelievers, and that it was meant to ridicule and deride those who were believers in Jesus the Christ. I had heard this before from those who are so tied to denominational names and titles. In fact, liberal "scholars" have argued this for decades. Moffatt says that the name was " . . . coined by pagan slang . . . " Let’s put this to the test as per I John 4:1 and I Thessalonians 5:21.

The prophet Isaiah prophesied about a new name that was to be given to the people of God in the New Testament age. (Read Isaiah 56:5-6; 62:2; 65:14-15). What is this new name if it is not "Christian"? Acts 11:26 is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. The phrase "were called" in Acts 11:26 is one that is found nine times in the New Testament, and is ALWAYS used of a divine calling. This is certainly in agreement with Peter’s words concerning the early saints glorifying God in that name! (I Peter 4:16).

When some at Corinth practiced wearing human names, they were rebuked by the inspired Paul! (I Corinthians 1:10-13). Human names identify one with humans and give honor to humans. The implication of I Corinthians 1:10-13 is clearly that we are to wear the name of the one who was crucified for us, and into whom we were baptized.

James E. Farley -To Contact Jim by email, click here