Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals:
Wednesday July 16 2025
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1 Corinthians 1:10-13-Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
“Brother Mark, God does not care if we have different names on our church doors and signs!”
This statement is something I have heard from religious people I have ministered to all over the state of Kentucky.
Was he right?
Does it matter to God if denominational churches have man made names?
The Apostle Paul wrote to our brothers and sisters at Corinth, many of whom had adopted religious titles that God had not authorized. Paul pointed out three serious problems with their actions.
First, there is the issue of authority. Paul addressed this matter with the phrase “by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This was a reference to his Divine authority as an Apostle of Jesus. He later emphasized this authority:
1 Corinthians 2:13-These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Corinthians 7:25-Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.
1 Corinthians 14:37-If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 11:5-For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.
Paul says that the practice of people making manmade names and applying them to God’s church is not right because there is no authority from God for their doing such. You and I do not have the right to do anything we want to in the sphere of religion. We are constrained by the Word of God. Scripture is our authority (2 Timothy 3;16-17). God’s Word authorizes His people the honor of wearing the name Christian (Isaiah 62:2; Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). The church is identified as the church of God (Acts 20:28), or the churches of Christ (Romans 16:16). These are not denominational names, but are instead descriptions of who we are as Christians.
Now, according to God’s Word, do we ever find Him authorizing His children wearing names like Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Adventist, Shakers, Quakers, Mormons, Methodists, etc.?
No, we don’t.
So we don’t have the right to go beyond what He has revealed in Scripture.
Second, Paul points out that dividing up over manmade names is a sign of carnality.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4-And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
The word “carnal” means worldly, as opposed to that which is of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16). When people allow themselves to be divided up into different groups and sects because of denominational creeds and practices, they are simply demonstrating that they are being worldly. My friends, wearing religious names that God has not authorized is a sign of worldliness and needs to be repented of.
Finally, Paul wants us to understand that dividing up over manmade names is something which takes glory away from Jesus. Indeed, Paul is quick to tell us that ministers and other workers in the kingdom are just messengers of God’s Word. When we allow ourselves to be divided up religiously by wearing manmade names, then we are taking honor from Jesus. Religious leaders through the years have also pointed this out.
“What happens when people realize that the great reformation leader Martin Luther wrote: I ask that men make no reference to my name, and call themselves not Lutherans, but Christians. What is Luther? My doctrine, I am sure, is not mine, nor have I been crucified for any one. St. Paul, in I Cor. iii, would not allow Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christian. How then should I, poor, foul carcase that I am, come to have men give to the children of Christ a name derived from my worthless name? No, no, my dear friends; let us abolish all party names, and call ourselves Christians after Him Whose doctrine we have. (Hugh Thomson Kerr, A Compend of Luther’s Theology, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1943, p. 135. Also cited by Lewis W. Spitz, Ph. D., Our Church and Others, Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1969, pp. 23-24.) yet people who call themselves Lutherans blatantly disagree with Luther himself, who on this point agreed with Christ? John Wesley Another great reformation leader, John Wesley, among whose followers are the Methodists, Wesleyans, etc. 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—SGD] might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion. (John Wesley, Universal Knowledge, A Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Arts, Science, History, Biography, Law, Literature, Religions, Nations, Races, Customs, and Institutions, Vol. 9, Edward A. Pace, Editor, New York: Universal Knowledge Foundation, 1927, p. 540.) In violation of Wesley’s plea, his followers still call themselves Methodists, Nazarenes, and Wesleyans. Charles Spurgeon What occurs when people hear Charles Spurgeon, one of the great Baptist preachers who ever lived, say: 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. (Spurgeon Memorial Library, Vol. I, n.d., p. 168.) Instead of realizing Spurgeon’s desire, we have at least twenty-six different Baptist denominations in this nation alone. Likewise, Calvinists today differ with Calvin, and right on down the line.” (Samuel G. Dawson, Denominational Doctrines: Explained, Examined, Exposed, 325-345 (Kindle Edition): Bowie, TX: SGD Press)
Yes, it does matter what names are on the doors and signs of our church buildings. Let us humble ourselves and exalt God by removing manmade denominational designations.
Lord, thank You that we have the privilege of wearing the royal name of Your Son. Bless us today and help us to recognize that blessing and honor. We repent of manmade traditions and creeds. Help us to reject denominational church names and to return to Your Word in all things. Amen.
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