"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase"
1 Corinthians 3:6
A Message From the Horne of Africa
"What's In A Name?"
6/07/2009
The author of this article that I am sharing with you today was a long-time faithful gospel preacher named Frank Dunn, who passed away some years ago. His congregation was a staunch supporter of SABC for many years during his lifetime. In fact, one of the text books currently used at SABC was written by Brother Dunn. His daughter, Holly, is a country Western singer in Nashville, TN. She wrote and still sings a ballad
about "My Daddy's Hands" which is well known in America, and was, of course, about her own dad's hands. Frank preached on the powerful San Antonio radio station, WOAI, for a many years. His loss left a huge hole in the brotherhood, but his influence through his written articles survives and still moves us. Today presumptuous men are changing the name of the "church of Christ" to anything they like, but see how Brother Dunn repudiates this with scripture. We must also reject such moves categorically. Here it comes. . . .
Men say that it makes no difference what name you wear in religion. The Bible says there is salvation in only one name, the name of Christ. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved," Acts 4:12.
In three places in the New Testament the followers of Christ are called 'Christians.' "The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch," Acts 11:26. [see below--AJH] King Agrippa said to the apostle Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian," Acts 26:28. "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name," 1 Peter 4:16, AV. This is the "worthy (honorable) name by which ye were called," James 2:7.
It is important that Christians wear the name of Christ, and no other name. Christ is honored by this name. It signifies that we belong to him. All his followers can unite in this name. We can wear it in faith. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him, Colossians 3:17.
In order to have the salvation that is in Christ, we must be baptized into his name, Acts 2:38. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ," Galatians 3:26-27.
So, there you have it. Men have become ashamed of the name of Christ, the anointed one of God and our living Messiah. They resort to all types of excuses to deny His name and eclipse His influence. They hide behind names like "Community" churches rather than boldly to proclaim His name. Some no longer identify with the restoration movement that sought to restore the New Testament church in its pristine doctrine. Jesus warns that those who deny Him will be denied by Him in the day when men will give account, Matthew 10:32. Some have a compelling desire to be politically correct and to offend no one--they try to do what the Son of Man could not do when he walked the streets of Palestine, see John 6:60ff. If we really want to emulate the example of Jesus, 1 Peter 2:21, being political correct was not something Jesus practiced nor even cared about. Come on, "Churches of Christ,"[Romans 16:16]--let's get back to the name that is above every name, Philippians 2:9-11--to the name to which all men will bow in heaven and on earth and even under the earth!! That name, "given by divine decree" (crhmatizw--chrematidzo--Acts 11:26) is the name of Christ--God incarnate long ago and now God triumphant!! Let us unite under the victory banner of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just remember, "A rose by any other name would NOT be a rose!" That's what in a name!
Love you all,
Al--"the Horne of Africa"