The Bible says that disciples of Jesus were "CALLED Christians" (Acts 11:26).

   It's worth noting that the word "called" (Greek, "chrematizo") means "to utter an oracle... In the New Testament the verb denotes divine instruction by  revelation" (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, by Kittle & Bromiley,p.1320). In fact, the same Greek word is variously translated "divinely warned" (Matthew 2:12;Hebrews 11:7), "warned of God" (Matthew 2:22), and "divinely instructed" (Hebrews 8:5) in our English translation of the Bible. Thus, the disciples we read about in the Bible did not invent, nor assume from the world, the name "Christian"; it came from God.

   If you claim allegiance to Jesus, what religious name do you wear? Often times people will say it doesn't matter what you call yourself religiously. "There's nothing in a name," they say. But the apostle Paul taught otherwise.

   When the church at Corinth began denominating by various names (e.g., "I am of Paul,...Apollos,...Peter), Paul called their practice divisive and worldly (cf., 1 Corinthians 1:10-12;3:3-4). In a rhetorical rebuke he asked: "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:13). By their practice the church at Corinth was placing men above Christ and by inspiration the apostle Paul called and condemned it as sinful.

   And past uninspired men have followed suit!

   Martin Luther, Lutheran church founder, said: "I ask that men make no reference to my name, and call themselves not Lutherans, but Christians... St. Paul, in 1 Cor.III, would not allow Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christian."

   John Wesley, Methodist church founder, said: "Would to God that all party names and unscriptural phrases and forms which have divided the Christian world, were forgot and that the very name [Methodist-kc] might never be mentioned more, but buried in eternal oblivion."

   Charles Spurgeon, Baptist preacher/commentator, said: "I look forward with pleasure to the day when there will not be a Baptist living! I hope that the Baptist name will soon perish, but let Christ's name last forever."

   Do you wear one of the above or some other man-made religious name? If so, then now that you know what the Bible says, what will you do?....Still thinking, "There's nothing in a name?" Then please consider this: Would you, without objection, wear one of the other man-made religious names above? If not, why not?