What's in a Name?

A friend recently told me about a pastor of a large local church challenging his people to avoid using names such as "Christian" or "church" because of the potentially negative connotation that they bring. This is a growing trend among churches today, yet there are no biblical grounds for the avoidance of using these names.

The Case for Calling

In Ephesians 4:1, Paul writes: "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." Paul's charge is one of invitation to live in the manner indicative of your name. The Greek kaleo which we often translate "to call," is noted three times in the above passage: parakaleo ("urge") is a "calling alongside of," kleseos ("calling") implies an invitation, while eklesia carries the meanings of "naming" and "designation." (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) This is just one of numerous cases in Scripture that instruct believers to conduct themselves as their title indicates.

Designation and Direction

Calling and naming is seen throughout Scripture. From the initial naming of the cosmos in Genesis to the final consummation of the new creation in Revelation, naming and renaming is a constant theme. God designates creation, names his people, calls his people, and renames his people, all to reveal who he is and define who they are. The very nature of the names and titles by which we are called is that they define us and describe the one who calls us. In the series Defending Your Title: Reclaiming Biblical Identities, we will explore a few of these identities to see what they reveal to us about the God who calls us, as well as the implications for those who are called.

To be continued.