It has been my experience in our modern culture the spelling of our name supersedes the meaning of our name (in most cases). In short, we like for our names to be spelled correctly more than someone knowing the etymology of our name! I know I like for my name to be spelled correctly. Our name or “what we go by” identifies us. Our name is connected to our identity, our actions, and who we are. By my count, I have seen my name spelled with these variations: Alan, Allan, Alen, Alain (French spelling), and Allen (this is how I spell my name). As I have grown older, I have become accustomed to spelling my name for folks when they ask for it, when I am doing business or for formal occasions due to the various spellings.
Most of us have various ways to spell our first, middle, or last names. But, we want it spelled the way we spell it because that is our biggest identifier outside of our physical characteristics. Spiritually speaking, the movement of when it comes to “churches” or the names on the building where a congregation meets or assembles continues to not align generally speaking, with Scripture. Wonderful and well intended people in our community, in our region and in our nation have no problem with putting a name on a building that conforms to the congregation’s desires or their “movement” compared to being aligned with Scripture.
We all would agree names are important. Students in our area are returning to school and one of the first things a teacher does in the first few days is to establish what a student wishes to be called. Why? Names matter. I know our friends, neighbors, and maybe even some of our own brethren may offer up criticism when it comes to what the name on the building says, the name of the congregation we identify with, or just spending time on something they may deem as “trivial.”
What does Scripture say when it comes to the “name” we wear?
Disciples are called Christians- Acts 11:26.
Salvation is in the name of Christ- Acts 4:10-12.
All we do is in the name of Christ- Colossians 3:17.
We suffer in the name of Christ- I Peter 4:14-16.
Early Christians wore Christ’s name- Acts 5:41.
Jesus said He would be His church- Matthew 16:18.
Because of Christ, we are one body- Ephesians 4:3.
Jesus is the head of the body- Colossians 1:18.
We are the Lord’s church- Acts 20:28.
What kingdom are we part of? Colossians 1:13.
In the article, “Identifying the church in the New Testament,” printed in the Christian Courier, Bro. Jackson, in relation to the subsection of the article, “Does a Name Matter,” makes this point: “What was the first century church called? How were the early disciples designated? There were several appellations employed to describe the first-century believers, e.g., disciples, saints, brethren, etc. But beginning in Acts 11, the early disciples were formally called Christians — first at Antioch of Syria (Acts 11:26; cf. 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). And interestingly enough, the word “called” in Acts 11:26 is a very special word that has to do only with a calling. It is a calling that issues from God as its source. They were called “Christians.”” Let us remember, congregations are the churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16), because Christ gave his life in order to bring them into existence. The New Testament indicates that we ought to speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11), which means we should demonstrate Biblical concepts with Biblical terms whenever possible. Our name matters to us! The real question is, does Jesus’ name matter to us?
