Calling Bible Things By Bible Names

Words serve as a vehicle of communication. Similarly, ideas have consequences and ideas are communicated in words. In view of the fact that God, by inspiration, selected the very words  by which to communicate to us spiritual truths (1 Cor. 2:13, ASV), one would think men would respect the words God selected to name and designate our  religious activities. Unfortunately this is not the case. Not only have men changed Biblical terminology to suit their own way of thinking, they have invented new words to convey new ideas introduced into their man-made religions. Lets take just one example. The inspired writer Luke tells us that the “disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). We are also instructed to “glorify God in this name” (1 Pet. 4:16). When God selected the name Christian He did so to the exclusion of all other “names.” Prophetically, God said that his people would be called by a new name” (Isa 62:2). Notice the singularity of designation; it is NAME, not NAMES. We can, by divine authority, refer to ourselves as “Christians.” Beyond that, there is no authority, either by example, command or inference. But ask the average man concerning his religious affiliation and he will either hyphenate and/or eliminate the name Christian in his answer. Wherein is the authority?  When asked “What church do you attend?” more often than not you will hear some reference to a word or term that is completely foreign to the New Testament.  Again, wherein is the authority?  In view of the fact that we are to “hold fast the form of sound words (2 Tim. 1:13), perhaps our religious leaders owe us some answers for the new vocabulary they have injected into God’s divine word.  

by Tom Wacaster