Should Christ's Followers Call Themselves "Baptists"?
This originally appeared in a special issue of The Preceptor, January 1990. The subject of the special was "To Our Baptist Friends." Please study this carefully.
Why Is The Name "Baptist" Used
"Baptist" designates those religious groups who adhere to a certain body of religious doctrines. The common reason given for using the name "Baptist" is that Jesus was baptized by John the baptist (Mark 1:9). Baptists reason that since John was a "baptist," that his baptism of Jesus made Jesus a "Baptist" and thus the followers of Jesus should be "Baptists" also.
However, John was not a "Baptist" in the sense that Baptists would like him to have been. John was a baptist only in the sense that he baptized people. John was literally called "John the immerser." The term "baptist" is used to describe the workthat John performed, just as the word "evangelist" described the work of Philip (Acts 21:8). John baptized, thus he was called "the baptist," Philip evangelized, thus he was called "the evangelist." These terms were not titles to be handed down to others, but descriptions of their work.
A Particular Name?
Is there a particular name that should be used by followers of Christ? Let us spend some time searching the scriptures to see if such is the case. If there is a particular name, then it must be used with great confidence by all Christ's followers.
A New Name Prophesied
Some important points about the name to be worn by Christ's followers are found in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah prophesied that there would be "a new name" given to God's people. The fact that it would be "a" new name indicates there would only be one name given Consider these passages:
…I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off (Isaiah 56:5).
…for the Lord shall…call his servants by another name (Isaiah 65:15).
…thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name (Isaiah 62:2)
These passages describe the type of name we should look for Christ's followers to wear. The name must be a new name, an everlasting name, a name chosen by God and a name brought forth by inspiration.
Names Previously Used
Since the name to be used by Christ's followers must be a new name, any names previously used by God's people will not fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah. Names previously used by God's people include "disciples" (Isaiah 8:16), "priests"
(Exodus 9-16), "saints" (Psalms 116:15), "elect" (Isaiah 45:4), "brethren" (Psalms 133:1), "children" (Psalms 82:6) and "sheep" (Psalms 79:13)· None of these names can be the "new name" for God's people. The new name must be different from any previously used name of God's people.
The Prophecy Fulfilled
In searching for the new name that fulfills Isaiah's prophecy, we should turn to the early development of the Lord's church as told in the book of Acts. In Acts 11:26 we read, "And the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch"
This short sentence contains the new name for God's people and the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.
Please notice the following:
1. The name "Christian" had never been used before by God's people and it is therefore "new"
in the sense foretold in Isaiah 62:2.
2. The use of the word "first" carries with it the idea of "and afterward." In other words, the name "Christian" was first used at Antioch and the name continued to be used thereafter. This fulfills Isaiah 56:5 that the new name would be an "everlasting" name.
3. The Greek word CHREMATIZO is translated "were called" in Acts 11:26. CHREMATIZO means "to be called by God" (See, Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)
So the name "Christian" was chosen by God and given by inspiration. This fulfills Isaiah 65:15 and Isaiah 62:2. The name "Christian" is a new everlasting name given by God and it is the name that all followers of Christ should use. The fact that this name was mentioned by Agrippa, who was not a Christian (Acts 26:28), helps illustrate that this name for Christ's followers was commonly known by all, even unbelievers.
Paul's Remarks To The Corinthians
In his first epistle to the church at Corinth, Paul addressed the problem of division cause by allegiance to mere men (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). There very well may have been "Paulians," "Apollosites," or "Cephasites" at Corinth in addition to those who called themselves just "Christians." Paul plainly states that this kind of division is not to be (1 Corinthians 4:6).
Quite simply, if it was wrong to wear the name of Paul or Apollos or Cephas, it is just as wrong to wear the name of Wesley or Luther or even John the Baptist today.
Problems Using Different Names
When one uses a name different from that name found in the New Testament, he is showing allegiance to some man or to some man-made desire. This denies the will of Almighty God who desires man to reject all and follow His Son (Matthew 6:33; 17:5).
We should call New Testament things by New Testament terms. Using terms and names devised by men falls short in complying with the will of God (Isaiah 55:8-9). Let us not use any more or less than what the New Testament uses.
Conclusion
Should Christ's followers call themselves "Baptists"? Based on God's Word, followers of Christ should not be called "Baptists." This is not the name given or desired by God. The name "Baptist" is actually a misuse of a descriptive term for the work of one who baptizes. Further, the name "Baptist" does not fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah of a new name to be given to God's people. When one wears the name "Baptist," he is showing an allegiance to John the baptist, rather than to Christ.
There is a name which was given by God and complies with his will, that name is "Christian." The name "Christian" fulfills the prophecies of Isaiah. This name shows allegiance to Christ the King. It shows membership in His kingdom. This name is an emphatic statement of obedience to His law on the part of the one who wears it.
By refusing to wear any other religious name, the wearer of the name "Christian" expresses the value of the name he bears. The followers of Christ should wear no other name but this name. It is my hope and prayer that all would do exactly that.
Terry Sanders~