( ARTICLE: 31 )

BAPTIST IS THE NAME OF THE CHURCHES
OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH OF GOD

Text "Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall be not cut off." (Isaiah 56:5). "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." 1 Timothy 3:15). "ln those days came John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea." (Matthew 3:11)

INTRODUCTION

1. The Baptist name is as divine as a Baptist Church. Both came, from heaven. Both came front God. John was the name given the forerunner of Jesus at his birth. He was called "The Baptist" because of his mission. These facts are very clearly stated in the Scriptures about his official name, "The Baptist." That came from heaven. God gave it to him. It was given to him because of the work God gave him to do. He was "sent front God" (John 1:6). God called him "The Baptist" before he started preaching (Matthew 11:11,12). He was not called "The Baptist" because he baptized; for God called him "The Baptist" before he carne to Jordan or preached or baptized. Go,, gave him the name. God sent him, God sent him to preach. God sent him to baptize (Read John 1:33). God sent him to baptize only one class of folks, namely, those who were made disciples (saved) or Christians before their baptism (John 4:1). That those, whom he discipled were saved before their baptism is clearly proven by his demanding "fruits meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8). The axe was laid to the root of the tree. They died to their old or past lives of sin. They confessed their sins (Matthew 3:6) John taught them to believe on Christ (Acts 19:4). They received Jesus as God's Lamb to bear away their sins. That was faith in Christ. The tree was made good or in other words they were born front above by the work of God by receiving Christ (John 1:11-13).

2. Then, having a new heart, a new life. they bore fruit. Luke tells in Luke 3:8-14 the character of fruit John demanded before he would baptize them. In His opening sermon, called the sermon on the Mount Matthew 5, 6, 7 Jesus Himself made it very clear and plain, that only those who had been born anew and were fruit-bearers could get His sanction and approval as subjects of baptism. Having had some understanding of why God chose this name and gave it to the forerunner of His Son, who was to prepare the material, out of which Jesus was to organize His own church, let us now see if the Holy Bible gives us any reason as to why that name was chosen. You will find that there are a good many Scriptural reasons, laid down in God's infallible and inerrant word, as to why God called John "The Baptist."

I. WHY BAPTIST IS THE NAME OF THE CHURCH
OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH OF GOD?

1. BECAUSE THE NAME BAPTIST IS THE ONLY NAME IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THAT STANDS FOR A BAPTIZED DISCIPLE

1. All who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior are brethren (Matthew 23:8). All true believers are His disciples. Discipleship comes before baptism (John 4:1). All who have believed on the name of Jesus as their Savior and Lord are God's children (John 1:12,13; Galatians 3:26). All the elect are called sheep. Before their salvation they are called lost sheep (Matthew 10:6; John 10:16). All the blood-washed are called saints ( Hebrews 10:10,14; 13:12). All disciples are Christians (Acts 11:26). Every one of these titles may be Scripturally applied to unbaptized believers.

2. Not so with the name Baptist. Webster's latest unabridged dictionary defines a Baptist as "one of a denomination of Christians, who maintain that baptism should be administered by immersion and be administered to believers only." The name Baptist is Scriptural and is the only name that is Scriptural, that is used as a denominational name or can be so used. The name Baptist came from God: the name Christian carne from the heathen. The name Baptist is a denominational name. The name Christian, according to Webster's latest and best, includes all believers in Christ. Note what he says. "One who believes or professes or is assumed to believe in Jesus Christ." According to the lexicons as well as according to the Scriptures all of God's children are Christians. The only name in the New Testament that stands for baptized disciples or believers is the name Baptist.

2. BECAUSE THE ONLY NEW TESTAMENT NAME, THAT CONFORMS TO THE GREAT COMMISSION IS THE NAME BAPTIST

1. In John 4:1 we are told that "Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John." John made disciples and then baptized them. Jesus made disciples and had the twelve baptize them. When He went to leave His last and final orders to the Church He had established He said. "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things. whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28.18-20).

2. What John began and Jesus continued. His churches were ordered to carry on and carry out without the changing of one jot or title until the end. The first Baptist made and baptized disciples. Jesus and the seventy made and baptized disciples. When Jesus was going away. He commanded disciples (churches) to make and baptize disciples until He comes again. The name Baptist is the only name that is a constant reminder of the commission given by the Lord Jesus to His churches until the end of time. It is a church name because it stands for a church program, the very program that Jesus gave to His churches to do and to keep until He comes back. According to Mr. Webster the name Baptist stands for the how and the whom of baptism, namely, the baptism of saved people by immersion. All others baptize babies or baptize sinners to save them or baptize in some other way besides immersion.

3. BECAUSE THE NAME BAPTIST IS A DIFFERENT NAME

1. It differentiates and distinguishes all who hold it from all other sects and denominations. It marks out the people who wear it. God said His people are a peculiar people. The name Baptist marks out the peculiarities of those who wear it. It distinguishes those who practice immersion only from all those who do not. It distinguishes those who baptize saved people from those who do not. It distinguishes those who are baptized Christians from those who are not. It distinguishes those who have Baptist baptism from those who have not It distinguishes those who reject infant baptism from those who follow Rome and receive it. It even goes further than that.

2. The name Baptist is so distinguishing a name that heretical Baptist sects, such as Church of Christ, Seventh-Day Adventists, Assemblies of God, Roman Catholics, Church of God in Christ, Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., Pentecostal Holmes Church, and Christian Tabernacle. End-Time Message have to use a prefix of some kind in front of their names to mark them as "sick" Baptists who are following a stranger. The only sheep that will follow a stranger is a sick sheep. So with Baptists. The prefixed Baptist is a sick Baptist or his prefix is a nickname. Like the Israelites in Old Testament days, Baptists have had many names; but they have always been the same people. The prefixes are soon dropped; but the name Baptist abides. God gave that name to the first one because of the work He sent him to do and it has been here ever since.

4. BECAUSE THE NAME BAPTIST IS A DIVISIVE NAME

1. The Lord Jesus said: "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay but divisions" (Luke 12:51). The Lord Jesus intended that His people should be a separate people. In Now Testament days they were the sect everywhere spoken against (Acts 28:22). The Lord Jesus foretold the night of His betrayal and crucifixion that His people would be a despised and a rejected people. The name Baptist is divisive in any community or crowd. He said, they hated Him and they would hate His people (John 15.18-25). Everything that makes for unity among Baptist makes for division between Baptists and all other people.

2. Baptist churches are never united unless they are separated from everybody else. There are no exceptions to that rule. The Lord Jesus sees to that. If Baptists are friendly and obedient to Christ, Christ's enemies are not friendly to them. "Friendship of the world is enmity with God." There is no straddle or compromise. You are wholly on Christ's side or wholly on the world's side The Baptist name meant separation from the world in the first man who wore it. John the Baptist lost his head because he would not compromise on the divorce question. Paul declared. "There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: one Lord, one faith. one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). Seven ones to make one. No unity unless agreed upon those seven ones. What are they?

3. "One body" a local church. Each local church the body of Christ in that community and He has no other. "One Spirit" the Holy Spirit. Each Baptist church built for a "habitation of God in the Spirit' in the community where located. "One hope" the finished work of Jesus Christ. Not a dozen or an hundred ways to heaven. Jesus is the way. "One Lord" the Lord Jesus. No human lords over God's heritage. The Lord Jesus head over all things to each of His churches "One is your Master all ye are brethren." The Lord Jesus the one and only Lord of Baptist. "One faith" which the Word calls "the faith once-for-all delivered to the saints." No new truth. If new it isn't true: if true it isn't new. One Baptism—i.e., one kind of baptism—meeting all the requirements of God's Word. "One God and Father" the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father through Him. No universal fatherhood of God. He has no Ishmaels, no "bastard" children. no "woods colts." Every child of God like Isaac, a child of promise and supernaturally born (John 3:8).

4. The name Baptist has always been a divisive name because its stands for the whole truth without compromise. All Baptists have not so stood, but the name stands for division and separation. And God blesses and prospers them when true to their name. That is why "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church" Separation means persecution and persecution means multiplication and growth. A compromising church is always a dying and waning church. God so wills it and He works all things after the council of His own will.

5. BECAUSE THE NAME BAPTIST IS AN EXCLUSIVE NAME

1. The Lord, who founded the first Missionary Baptist Church never aimed for them to take in everybody and his dog. "Without are dogs." Baptists have no fellowship for lots of folks and lot of things. They are not inclusive, But exclusive. In 1 Corinthians 11:19-21 Paul said these wise words: "For there must be heresies among you that they which are approved maybe made manifest among you. When therefore ye assemble yourselves together it is not possible to eat the Lord Supper." God never been intended for Baptists to be a "mixed multitude." Through all their history, when the mixed multitude have corrupted our churches, they have sloughed off the heretical and the worldly.

2. The name Baptist stands for cleanness and separation. The Lord Jesus sees to that they are true to their name. About 100 years ago Baptists sloughed off the Seventh Day Adventists, Church of Christ Assemblies of God, Roman Catholics. Church of God in Christ, Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A.. Pentecostal Holiness Church, and Christian Tabernacle End-Time Message. We are now in the process of sloughing off the Modernists and Unionists and Highbrows.

3. Heresies are permitted to crop out among Baptists that the approved may be made manifest. Paul said; that is the only way for Baptist churches to rid themselves of the worldly and the heretical. If the churches do not put out the heretics and the worldly, the indwelling Spirit who abides in each local body of Christ, causes that crowd to get out, because He has no fellowship with them. "They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not of us" (1 John 2:19).

4. By instinct and tradition and teaching and creation and history and love they are a separate people. The Lord Jesus their head, the Holy Spirit their life, the New Testament their rule of faith, their individualism one of their fundamentals—all combine to make and keep them an exclusive rather than an inclusive people. Nineteen hundred years of teaching and of persecution by all other sects has served to accentuate their exclusiveness. It will always be so. The Lord Jesus started them that way. And they get more so, rather than less so if possible. You cannot make Baptist like anybody else. They are a free people and you cannot bind them. And their freedom and their oneness in Christ and doctrine, because they all believe the same Book, make them throw off all ritualism and formalism and tradition of men and seek the heights of freedom and fellowship in the heavenlies.

II. WHY SHOULD WE RETAIN THE NAME BAPTIST?

Not all share the feeling that the name "Baptist" is expendable. Large numbers of pastors and congregations still feel that there are good reasons for retaining the name and not hastily discarding it in the rush to be "contemporary" and "relevant." What are some of these reason?

1. Because of the Historical Reason. While history, especially chinch history, seems of little importance to many today, it ought to be viewed as important, particularly to Baptists. Part of our problem is our churches are filled with people who know virtually nothing of Baptist history. They have no sense of history and of their ties with great men and women of the past. Individuals and congregations holding to some of the principles now called "Baptist distinctives" can be found back into the early years of church history even though the name "Baptist" was not commonly used until later centuries. It is not necessary, however, for us to prove a line of "historical succession" in order to establish the validity of a Baptist Church today. A church is validated by its adherence to scriptural truth. We walk with the giants when we proclaim ourselves to be Baptists. Our forefathers endured great struggles, fiery trials, and severe persecutions because they were part of a hated group the Baptists. They were not persecuted because of the name they bore, per se, but

2. Because of the Biblical doctrines Associated with that Name. Shall we haul down our banner and quietly sneak away on the plea that some modern hearers are offended by the Baptist name? Shall we allow a modern generation with weakened doctrinal convictions to dictate to us our stance and approach? We should not! We should instruct our people in Baptist history and thus instill in them some of the same courage and faith that characterized our forefathers. Those who wish to drop the name "Baptist" will not be devoting much time to such instruction.

3. Because of the Ethical Reason. If a church is a Baptist church, why should it be ashamed to say so? Why entice people into it only later to reveal to them its true nature? This smacks of deceit. We need not be ashamed of our heritage and position. There is no valid reason to hide what we really are.

4. Because of the Theological Reason. When we say we are "Baptists" we are affirming our allegiance to certain doctrines we believe to be Biblical and essential. The name "Baptist," if properly used, explained and understood, can assist in the constant effort to keep a church from drifting theologically. It is not a guarantee of continued doctrinal faithfulness since some churches with the name "Baptist" have slipped into liberalism. It is, however, a deterrent to such defection. The name binds a church to an historical and theological positron.

5. Because the name "Baptist," as can be seen, embodies a wealth of theological significance. While it is true that goodly numbers of Baptist people do not understand this significance that is no argument for rejecting the name. It is a powerful argument in favor of careful, systematic, and biblical instruction on all aspects of Baptist theology. We need to teach our people what it means to be a Baptist. Emphasis needs to be laid on why these Holy Bible truths historically held by Baptists are important. Rather than downplaying the differences between ourselves and the many denominational groups around us (which is the fashion today) we need to point out the differences and their biblical significance.

6. Because Baptists Historically have emphasized the local church, its composition, ordinances, functions and mission. Ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church) is not a high area of interest for local church. It doesn't make any difference what kind of church one belongs to as lone as it "preaches the Gospel." This would be the view of many. To quibble over matters of organization, baptism etc., seems to be unprofitable and unimportant. The current disinterest in the nature of a true church puts the Baptist at a disadvantage because it is right at that point where they are not from other groups. Some of the Baptist distinctive being disputed or ignored today are the following: (a) Necessity of scenic immersion for the believer as an act of personal obedience and as a prerequisite for church membership. (b) Congregational government rather than elder rule. (c) Personal separation from the world as a mark of Christian discipleship. (d) Necessity of church membership as a Biblical requirement.

III. WHY ARE SOME ABANDONING THE NANE BAPTIST?

1. Because in every generation there are theological "fads." A current fad is the desire to change the name of a church or organization from "Baptist" to something else viewed as more acceptable. To them. any name would do. Unfortunately this is a typical attitude today. In defense of this concept, some say the name "Baptist" no longer describes of a conservative theological persuasion.

2. Because the "in" thing today is to exchange the name "Baptist" for some other title. Many former Baptist churches are now calling themselves "Community" churches, and "Christian Fellowships.," or other such names. Those who are attempting to maintain a strong Baptist witness are made to feel out of step with the crowd. They are sent on a guilt trip, their insistence upon the importance of Baptist history and doctrine being viewed as narrow, irrelevant and divisive. This new approach reflects the general attitude of the modern church--let us be less dogmatic and more accepting of the views of others. While it seems pious, it is destructive of truth and harmful to the testimony of local churches.

3. Because the social, religious and theological climate of our day is not favorable to the development and maintenance of a specific, well-formulated and dogmatic theological position. Ours is a day which emphasizes the art of compromise and the skill of avoiding confrontation and offense. New evangelicals arc especially devoted to this approach and quite adept at it. Unfortunately, many fundamentalists have been bitten by this bug as well. The driving motivation is "Let us do whatever will draw a bigger crowd." The subject at hand raises an immediate question. "Are there good Christian people who are not Baptists" The answer is "Yes!" We are not claiming that only Baptists, are Christians. We are not saying that only Baptists will go to meet the Lord at the rapture. We readily recognize that there are fundamentals separated churches and institutions which do not bear the name Baptist. We had been blessed over the years by personal fellowship with members of God's family who would not call themselves Baptists. But as Missionary Baptists, we feel it is time to enunciate clearly why we are called by that name and stand up without apology and no sense of guilt for what we believe is scriptural.

4. Because many who are forsaking the Baptist name today claim they can still hold all the Baptist distinctives without employing the name. Our response to that is based on a good many years of observing the ecclesiastical scene. Baptist churches that change their name (a) already have weakened Baptist convictions and have been slipping toward a broader positron for years, and (b) will see that process hastened by a change of name usually by the time a church comes to a vote as to whether or not to change its name, it has harbored for some time within its membership people who were not really Baptists at heart. They have perhaps come from other backgrounds, have not been fully restricted in the Baptist position (or have not accepted the instruction), and are eager to shed what they feel is a "denominational image" in favor of something broader. A name change to such persons indicates the beginnings of a change in the position of the church, which will gradual but final.

5. Because when a church refuses any longer to bear the name "Baptist" the great Holy Bible truths known as "Baptist distinctives" will begin to weaken in the members' minds. One example of this is the matter of "elder rule." Primarily under the teaching and influence of Dr. John MacArthur, many Baptist churches have adopted his view of "elder rule" and changed their name to "Community Church" or some other title. In this system Elders assume authority over the church and the Baptist principle of congregational rule is usurped. While this has not accompanied every name change, it has accompanied many. When the church is no longer officially called a Baptist church, ignorance and apathy concerning the Baptist distinctives tend to grow.

6. Because of influx of non-Baptist people. Over the years we have observed the development of churches who drop the name "Baptist." Almost invariably their constituency begins to change. People who would not join the church previously because of what they observed to be denominational narrowness will now identify with the church. In doing so, however, they will bring into the church their broader views of both doctrine and fellowship, and soon the church will take on a different image. The name "Baptist" keeps some people out of churches. This is not all bad. Some people will go along with what they view as undesirable doctrines or positions in order to benefit from the overall ministry of a church, but will be all too eager to soften up its position and public image when the opportunity avails itself.

7. Because of an effect on pastoral leadership. When a church drops the name "Baptist," it may expect to have a change in the type of man who would be interested in the pastorate. Men who are more inclusive will be inclined to gravitate to such a church. Some will proclaim themselves to be baptistic in their views, but they do not wish to be identified as Baptists. Interesting that persons who do not wish to be called Baptists are nevertheless anxious to be known as baptistic. The name must have some value! Men of strong Baptist convictions will normally not accept the pastorate of a church that does not openly proclaim itself to be a Baptist church. This leaves the church vulnerable to the leadership of men of lesser convictions regarding Missionary Baptist principles.

8. Because of Broader associations. Churches that drop the name "Baptist" will be more inclined, as time goes on, to broaden their sphere of fellowship. The name "Baptist" tends to be more restrictive (which is an objection many have to it). Without that name a church begun to look upon itself as more "evangelical." with a broader base of fellowship. It tends to become less separatistic and more inclusive. Rather limiting their cooperation to strong fundamental, separatistic churches, they will migrate toward wider and looser fellowships, most of which will tend to be new evangelical in persuasion.

CONCLUSION

1. The current infatuation with abandoning the name "Baptist" is but part if a larger problem in the Church today the effort to minimize differences and magnify similarities. It is also propelled by the enormous pressures of the evangelical ecumenical movement which is gathering people of various denominational persuasions in large meetings with the express purpose of breaking down denominational prejudices (a la "Promise Keepers"). True Baptists cannot and ought not be a part of such efforts. The convictions we hold are not merely "denominational prejudices." They are divinely revealed truths rooted in the Holy Scriptures. Let us not apologize for them, but preach them and teach them in the power of the Holy Spirit so that future generations may continue to faithfully stand  by them.

2. Romans 16:16: "The churches of Christ salute You." This does not indicate that the Apostle Paul designed to establish the "Churches of Christ" as the proper name of Christ's organized people. It simply indicates the relation that these churches sustain to Christ. The verse is simply teaching the fact that Christ owns the churches. "Churches of Christ" is in the possessive case, indicating ownership, it is not giving a name at all.

3. In the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, which is addressed "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth." he says, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace as in all the churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33). It would hardly be proper to seize upon the words "churches of the saints" and make then the name of the church.

4. The phrase "Christian Church" is not found in the Holy Bible. and even the term "Christians" was not adopted by the followers of Christ or given by divine authority but was simply a name of derision which their enemies applied to them. However we have no objection to the tern "Christian" when used in the sense of the followers of Christ.

5. The true church is described by the apostle as "the house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." 1 Timothy 3:15. Here the tem "the house of God" is not intended to be the proper name of the church, but indicates the relation which the church sustains to God as his house. As the ancient temple built under divine direction was the "house of God" to the Jews. the spiritual temple, "the church of the living God" is also "the house of God," in which He dwells by the Holy Spirit. Addressing "the church of God" at Corinth, Paul says: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. Though the apostle addressed these Corinthians saints as "the church of God," he calls them "the temple of God." It is possible that some future reformer, so-called will become the head and founder of a party who will call themselves "the temple of God," and then assume to force other people, to keep from insulting them, to also call them "the temple of God." While the true church is figuratively called "the temple of God," because it is to be the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, it will not do to adopt this as a proper name of the true church.

 

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