Not long ago I was sitting in a hospital waiting room when I overheard a discussion regarding religion emanating from a group of people across the room.  As they bantered back and forth, one lady spoke up and said, “It doesn’t matter to me what name is above the door, as long as they preach good sermons.”  She had reference of course to the designation of those who meet in whatever location to offer what they believe to be worship to the Almighty, whether they be Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc.  No doubt, many of you have heard similar statements in regard to religious matters.  Many have said, and many will continue to say that there is nothing in a name when dealing with spiritual matters.  I will be the first to say that just because the name above the door of a particular “church” may be scriptural, that does not necessarily mean the group of people who meets there is identical to the New Testament church in its teachings and/or practices.  However, a congregation cannot claim to be following the Bible in all things if it does not wear a designation in harmony with Holy Writ.  There is something in a name in matters religious, and the Bible speaks loudly and clearly to this effect.
     First of all, salvation can only be found in the name of, or by the authority of, Jesus Christ (Ac.4:12).  Throughout the world, countless myriads are seeking salvation in Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius, the millions of gods of Hinduism, and on and on the list could go.  There is no salvation to be found in these false religions, and in their false gods!  Many within so-called Christendom would agree with this averment.  Yet, these same people will search for salvation through Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Pope John Paul II, and so on.  While “Christian denominations” (there are no such things) proclaim their allegiance to Christ, and affirm that they are following his teachings, they in actuality seek salvation in another name by turning to their Methodist Disciplines, Catholic Catechisms, Presbyterian Confessions of Faith, Baptist Manuals, etc., all of which are contrived by men and are riddled with errors and inconsistencies, all contrary to the law of Christ.  Let all who claim to follow Christ discard their Disciplines, cast away their Catechisms, and move away from their Manuals, and look to the law of the Lord, in whose name and in whose name only can salvation be found.
     Second, those who follow our Lord in the paths of salvation will wear one name, and one name only—Christian (Ac.11:26).  This name is the new name which was prophesied about in the Old Testament (Is.62:2), which prophecy found its fulfillment among the disciples in Antioch (Ac.11:26).  Those who wear this name honor him in whom they found salvation.  The honor belongs to Christ, and to him only.  Those who would wear other names, whether they be Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Catholics, etc., honor someone or something other than Christ.  Any attempt to be Baptist Christians, or Methodist Christians, or anything other than just plain Christians fails, for our Lord will not share his glory with another.  Let all those who will follow Christ wear his name, and his name only.
     Third, those who assemble together as Christians to honor God, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit in collective worship will wear a name that can be found in the Bible.  The church (Ac.2:47), the church of God (Ac.20:28), the church of Christ (Rom.16:16), the church of the living God (I Tim.3:15), the church of the firstborn (Heb.12:23), the body of Christ (Eph.1:22, 23) are all scriptural designations for the collective whole who have been saved in Christ.  Wherever a group of Christians gathers together to work and worship, they will honor the Savior by wearing his name, not only as individual Christians, but also collectively as his church.  Baptist churches, Presbyterian churches, and Methodist churches (among others) honor some particular doctrine or form of organization by their names.  Lutheran churches (among others) honor a particular individual other than Christ by their name.  Let all congregations who claim to follow Christ give honor to him by wearing his name, reflecting in that name him to whom they belong.
     Is there nothing in a name?  Why are children not named Jezebel or Judas?  Why does a wife take the last name of her husband?  We all know the value of a good name.  Why should it be any different in religion?  The truth of the matter is that there is much in a name, especially in religion.