Posted on by Martin Johnson

Identifying the Church: Designation

Lesson 3e in the Personal Bible Study Series

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This is a simple lesson that can be used before, instead of, or in addition to any of the above supplementary lessons.

Lesson 3e: Identifying the Church: Designation (PDF version)

Instructions: Read each passage of Scripture, then answer the questions underneath. For additional Scripture references, refer to the corresponding numbers at the end of the lesson.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF A NAME

1. Isaiah 62:2

Was there to be a name by which the Lord would have His people called?

2. Philippians 2:5-11

What name is above every other name?

3. Acts 4:10-12

Salvation is found only in whose name?

4. Acts 8:12; 9:15, 27, 29

Whose name is emphasized by Christ’s followers?

5. Colossians 3:17

All that we do is to be done in whose name?

 

WHAT SHOULD CHRIST’S FOLLOWERS BE CALLED?

6. Acts 11:26

What were early disciples called?

What is conveyed by this identification?

7. 1 Corinthians 1:9-13

What happens when believers wear different names?

Does this honor Christ?

 

THE CHURCH

8. Matthew 16:16-18

Whose church did Jesus promise to build?

To whom does this church belong?

9. Ephesians 5:23

Who is the head of Christ’s church?

10. 1 Corinthians 12:27

The church is described as the body of whom?

Whose name should the church wear?

 

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING NAMES CAN YOU FIND IN THE BIBLE TO DESCRIBE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST?

  • Catholics 
  • Pentecostals 
  • 7th-day Adventists
  • Protestants 
  • Apostolic 
  • Mormons
  • Anglicans 
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses
  • Presbyterians 
  • Mennonites 
  • Methodists 
  • Quakers 
  • Christian Scientists
  • Lutherans 
  • Congregationalists 
  • Ratana
  • Episcopalians 
  • Greek Orthodox 
  • Salvation Army
  • Baptists 
  • Russian Orthodox 
  • Wesleyans

Which of these names give honor to the Lord?

 

WHICH OF THESE DESCRIPTIVE TERMS CAN YOU FIND IN THE BIBLE?

  • The body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27) 
  • Christians (Acts 11:26)
  • The churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16 )
  • Disciples (Acts 6:1, 7)
  • The churches of God (1 Cor. 11:16) 
  • Believers (Acts 5:14)
  • The church of Christ (Matt. 16:16-18) 
  • Heirs of God (Rom. 8:17)
  • The church of God (1 Cor. 1:2) 
  • Servants of Christ (Eph 6:6)
  • The kingdom of God and Christ (Eph. 5:5)
  • The kingdom of the Son of His love (Col. 1:13)

 Do these designations honor the Lord?

 

CONCLUSION

A. Does the Bible indicate that what we are called as Christ’s disciples is important?

B. Whose name do you want to wear?

C. Are there any man-made religious designations that are important to you?

Note: While the name we wear is important, there are other identifying characteristics of faithful disciples of Jesus. A person or group may wear the name of Christ, but if they are not faithful to all of Christ’s teachings, they are not wearing his name legitimately
(Matt. 7:21; John 8:31).

 

Additional Scripture References

  1. Isaiah 56:5; 65:15; James 2:7; Acts 11:26
  2. Ephesians 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:1-4; Colossians 3:11
  3. Acts 2:38; 10:43; 2 Timothy 2:10; Colossians 3:4
  4. Acts 4:2, 17-18; 5:28, 40, 42; 8:5, 35; 1 Cor. 1:23; 2:2; Phil. 1:18
  5. Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Acts 4:7-10
  6. Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16; James 2:7
  7. John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 3:1-5; 11:17-19; 12:25
  8. 1 Corinthians 1:13; Eph. 4:4; 5:23-29; Col. 1:24; Galatians 1:3-12
  9. Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23; Colossians 1:18
  10. Ephesians 1:23; 3:6; Colossians 1:24; Romans 16:16

 

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).