First Key
Church of God and Saints of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:1-2)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.
The scripture points out clearly that there is salvation in a name and that there is only one name by which this salvation will come: the name of Jesus Christ.
‘For there is none other name under heaven, given among men’
Nearly all names that have been given to churches have been given under heaven among men. These names bring no salvation to man.
Again salvation is in the name, thus underscoring the importance of a good name. The scripture tells us,
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1.
Now the question is: Among all these names in the world, which one is good? Or are they all good? Jesus answers these question, “…there is none good but one, that is, God.” St Mark 10:18. Therefore God’s name should be chosen by men if his hope is to see salvation.
Churches have been named by various names, the names of places, the names of days of the week, for example the seventh day of the week, the names of the apostles of Jesus Christ who, now are dead waiting for their reward, names for a sacred ordinance for example baptism. But are these names good enough? Should they be chosen? Christ says there is none good but one.
“And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” St Mark 11:9-10.
Many people have come in their own names but the blessing is in coming in the name of the Lord as Jesus did. Christ makes it clear He came to uphold and advance His Father’s kingdom,
“I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” St John 5:43.
But where does it say God gave the church His name? Wasn’t that man who gave the church the name of God? Then let us hear from God himself,
“And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do, That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. 1 Kings 9:1-3.
The devil hates God’s name and He blasphemes it because he knows that there is power, there is salvation and a blessing in being called by God’s name.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. Revelation 13:6.
Since he demeans the importance of God’s name and the importance of God’s tabernacle (Note God has his own tabernacle), the devil has his tabernacles and his name:
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:1-5.
Jesus came in the name of God and the apostles worshipped in the Church of God, and all those who are called to worship therein are called saints of Christ.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, [2] Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:1-2.
Hence the name Church of God and saints of Christ. (More can be discussed concerning this subject and should you need more, please contact us.) Continue to:Second Key