Nothing in a name

 by David Long

When talking about the importance of the "name" of the church, people will say, "There's nothing in a name. It doesn't matter what you call the church." If there is nothing in a name then what do these verses mean?

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

"but if (a man suffer) as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name" (1 Pet. 4:16).

There is something in a name. The church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:24-32) and it should wear His name (Rom. 16:16), not a man-made name.