THE NAME CHRISTIAN - LESSON 8

TAKE A QUIZ

Is the name Christian really relevant? Yes No

Many in the religious world affirm that there is “nothing in a name.” They contend that it really doesn’t matter what you call yourself. In some cases the name by which they are known is derived from their doctrine, organization, founder, or other identifying characteristics. It should be evident to all that it is extremely important that we know how the Bible regards the name by which we are called.

The Bible teaches that we have a name promised to us through prophecy and given to us from heaven through divine revelation. How can any man contend that there is nothing in such a wonderful name as this?

ISAIAH 56:5

I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.

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COMMENTARY

God promised to give a name better than that of sons and daughters. It would be an everlasting name. It would be a name for not only Jews, but also the strangers from the nations that would come to the Holy Mountain, the house of God (see: Isaiah 2:1-4). This would be the name of God’s people in the days of the Messiah.

1/16

ISAIAH 62:2–3

The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. 3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

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COMMENTARY

The prophet tells us God would give His people a new name. It would be given when the Gentiles saw the righteousness of Jehovah.

2/16

ISAIAH 65:15

You shall leave your name to my chosen for a curse, and the Lord God will put you to death, but his servants he will call by another name,

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COMMENTARY

God would call his people by another name in the new Messianic kingdom (Isaiah 65:9) composed of a remnant of Israel and the Gentiles that seek the Lord (65:1).

3/16

AMOS 9:11–12

11 “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, 12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the Lord who does this.

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COMMENTARY

After the destruction of the Jewish economy, God promised to re-establish the throne of David in the Messiah and give His name to the faithful remnant and the Gentiles that would believe.

4/16

ACTS 11:26

26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

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COMMENTARY

These prophecies were fulfilled when the name “Christian” was given to the Disciples at Antioch. Observe that they “were called” by this name. The word “called” is used in these texts: Matthew 2:12, 22; Hebrews 11:7; Romans 7:3. It does not indicate that their enemies gave it in derision, but, rather, it indicates that it was given by revelation from God. All the conditions of the above mentioned prophecies are satisfied in this text. The name Christian is the “new name” which God promised His people.

5/16

ACTS 26:27–29

27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

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COMMENTARY

Paul recognized the name Christian as the divine name.

6/16

I PETER 4:14–16

14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

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COMMENTARY

Peter states the only name which it is possible to wear and glorify God. It is the name of Christ; it is Christian.

7/16

JAMES 2:7

7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

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COMMENTARY

The Disciples were called by a “worthy name.” What was it? It was Christian (the name of Christ, 1 Peter 4:14–16).

8/16

ACTS 4:10–12

10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

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COMMENTARY

Why is His name “worthy”? Jesus has been raised from the dead. He is the stone that was made the chief corner stone. There is salvation in no other name than His. The name is important.

9/16

II CORINTHIANS 11:2

2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

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COMMENTARY

The bride wears the name of the bridegroom (cf. Genesis 5:1–2).

10/16

EPHESIANS 3:14–15

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

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COMMENTARY

The family wears the name of the father (Hebrews 2:12–13; 1 Peter 1:22–23).

11/16

ACTS 20:28

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

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COMMENTARY

The name often denotes ownership (e.g., John’s car). The next few verses will have to do with the ownership thought. Here we learn that Christ purchased the church with His blood. He owns it.

12/16

MATTHEW 16:18

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

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COMMENTARY

Christ promised to build His church. He did build that church. It should wear His name to denote His ownership (cf. Acts 16:15, 40).

13/16

ROMANS 16:16

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

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COMMENTARY

We ought to call the church by it’s owners name, “Church of Christ” (I Timothy 3:15–16).

14/16

2 TIMOTHY 2:19

19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

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COMMENTARY

Who are those that belong to the Lord? Only those that have named the name of Christ belong to Him. What is that name?

15/16

1 CORINTHIANS 1:12-16

12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

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COMMENTARY

Paul states the conditions upon which one may where another’s name: (1) crucifixion for the one who wears the name, and (2) baptism into that name. What name would Paul wear?

16/16

Completed!

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