Question: All denominations worldwide give themselves a name. Many people ask for the name of the assembly where we gather. Why don’t we have a name?
Answer:
There are indeed many denominations of Christianity that have different names. But I think that this is not scriptural. The following four questions may help to understand this:
- Isn’t the existence of these groups in itself contradictory to the teachings of the Bible? For the Bible only speaks of one church (assembly); any divisions are condemned. (Eph 4:4; 1 Cor 1:10; 3:3; 11:18-19).
- What scripture authorizes us to give churches names, such as “Anglican Church,” “Pentecostal Churches,” etc., when we are to gather in the name of the Lord Jesus alone? (Mt 18:20; 1 Cor 5:4)
- Why do Christians call their church after the name of well-known men of God (Lutheran Church; Mennonites, etc.) when the apostle Paul expressly does not approve of such things (1 Cor 1:12, 13; 3:3-9)?
- Why are the names of churches associated with a particular nation (“Greek Orthodox Church” etc.)? Doesn’t Scripture explicitly say that national differences do not play a role in the true Church of God (Col 3:11)?
From the Bible, we learn that there is only one assembly (church) consisting of all believers. God recognizes it. And we, too, should recognize it and gather as Christians in the name of the Lord Jesus alone on this basis. Giving a name only causes more division and is, by nature, exclusive.
A local church cannot be recognized officially. Of course, this does not mean that the believers in these churches are not recognized. That would be quite wrong. The man of God from Judah once turned against the “altar” and not against those who surrounded him (1 Kings 13:1-3). But it is crucial to judge a system in the light of the Holy Scriptures. And once again, the assembly (church) in the Bible consists of all true believers, wherever they may be. That is the church of God!