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The church is found in our New Testament and it has various designations to describe its nature. Notice:

It is the family of God, the house of God (I Tim. 3:15). “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

It is the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 3:16). “Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

It is the church of Christ (Rom. 16:16). “Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.”

It is the church of God (I Cor. 1:1-2). “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours.”

It is the church (Acts 8:1). “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”  

It has various designations to describe the nature of the individuals who make up the church.

They are disciples (Acts 11:26). “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

These disciples were called Christians (Acts 11:26).

They are saints (I Cor. 1:2). “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours.”

They are sons and daughters of God (II Cor. 6:18). “And will be to you a Father, and ye shall be to me sons and daughters.”

They are an elect race, a royal priesthood and a holy nation (I Pet. 2:9). “But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

All such designations of individuals or congregations are divinely named and such names can be worn in honor and with great dignity. Now where does that leave the names of the denominationalist? Completely without divine authority. In fact, to wear any other name than those given by God is to dishonor God! Think about this!  

Andrew Connally, 1990 Bellview Lectureship, Can A Christian Worship Acceptably in a Denomination?

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