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The Name For The People Of God? I By: Gary Colley
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The Name For The People Of God? I By: Gary Colley
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This question should engage the serious thinking of every individual. Especially since Jesus said after Peter's confession "thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, . . .upon this rock I will build my church (Matthew 16:16, Matthew 16:18). Once a man saw a church building being built, on which at the time no name had been placed. He said to the workman, "I will give a $1,000 contribution on this building, if you will place over the door a sign reading, This is the church of Christ." The man responded, "But sir, this is not a church of Christ." After this refusal the man desiring to give said, "I will then give you $2,000 if you will write over the door, This Is Not the church of Christ!" His offer was refused. The great assortment of NAMES for religions in every city is no doubt confusing to the masses. For years denominations have shown their divisiveness by the NAMES they wear, choosing many NAMES not found in hte Bible. The number continues to increase yearly! They have often said, "there is nothing in a NAME." Of course this is not what the Bible says, but many have not chosen to go by the Bible for a long time. Question: If there is nothing in a NAME, would you be as happy for a man to call you a gentleman, as for him to call you a liar or a thief? We think not! What if your wife decided to wear another man's NAME? It would matter to any normal husband! According to the Tennessean, Sunday, August 22, 1999, some have recently removed their NAME, which tells what human creed they follow, because they consider it unattractive to the masses any more. Of course the NAME this religous sect has used for identity for years, is never used as a proper NAME in the Bible, but it can only be accurately rendered immerser or baptizer. Women or men who do not administer baptism, cannot rightfully wear this name. If it were a proper NAME, the only man who ever wore it said, "He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease
(John 3:30)." When we have all come to the end of our earthly journey, it will certainly matter whether our NAME is written in the book of life (Philippians 4:3, Revelation 20:15,
Revelation 21:17). Obviously dear friends, NAME do have meaning and significance! Before you can wear the Lord's NAME you must have the "marriage ceremony" by hearing, faith repentance, confession, and baptism into Christ. It is not one of the plans or ways to Heaven, but the only Way, if an individual wants to go with Christ to the Father (John 14:6). Peter wrote by inspiration, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
