Does It Matter What Name We Wear in Religion?

There are hundreds of different churches in the world today. There are Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Pentecostals, and many more. Does it matter what name we wear in religion? Many say, "No, we can wear any name we choose." However, if we would read our Bibles and follow them we would not just wear any name we choose. Could we call God by any name we choose and be pleasing to Him? Could we Him George or Tom or Sam and by doing this give Him the respect He deserves? No, we could not; God's name and Christ's name are divinely-given names.

In Isaiah 62:2 it was prophesied that God's people would be given a new name, and that name would be a name give by the Lord. Isaiah 62:2 is fulfilled in Acts 11:26 when the Bible says that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. This was not a name they chose but a divine name that God chose. In Acts 4:10-12 Peter and John healed a man in the name of Jesus Christ. Verse 12 says "Neither is there salvation in any other: For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Paul said in Phil. 2:9 that God had highly exalted Jesus and given Him a name which is above every name. Christ purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Since the church is His it should wear His name. In Matt. 16:13-19 after Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus promised to build "His church." If it belongs to Christ, it should wear His name.

In I Cor. 1:10-13 Paul said that there should be no division among the followers of Christ. Different religious names promote religious division. Read I Cor. 1:10-13—Paul asked these people if they were baptized in the name of Apollos, Cephas, or Paul. He also asked if these men were crucified for them. Paul made the argument here that we should wear the name in religion of the one who died on the cross for our sins. If everyone would do this, we would all wear the same name. The church belongs to Christ; He purchased it with His blood. It is His bride and should wear His name—not the name of another.

The Bible says in Romans 16:16, " ...The churches of Christ salute you." There is Bible authority to call ourselves "church of Christ." There is no Bible authority for the names men have invented such as Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and others. These manmade names do not give Christ glory and praise. Christ's name is above every name (Phil. 2:9-11). If we will follow the New Testament, we will wear Christ's name, and not these manmade names. Does it matter what name we wear in religion? Yes, it matters! Wear the name of Christ. There is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12).
—Ronald D. Gilbert