I Do, but I Don’t

by Jim Sasser

• I believe in proper methods, but I don't wear the name "Methodist."
• I believe in baptism, but I don't wear the name "Baptist."
• I believe presbyters (or elders) should oversee the local church, but I don't wear the name "Presbyterian."
• I believe one should be holy, but I am not a "Holiness."
• I believe Jesus was reared in Nazareth, but I am not a "Nazarene."
• I believe that these are the "last days" in which we are now living (Hebrews 1:1) and that we are called saints (I Corinthians 1:2), but I am not a "Latter Day Saint."
• I believe the church should be catholic (universal), but I don't wear the name "Catholic."
• I believe in unity, but I don’t wear the name "Unitarian".

According to some arguments (?) used to justify the religious wearing of human names, I would really have a name. I would be a Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Holiness, Nazarene, Latter Day Saint, Unitarian, Catholic, Christian! WHEW! What a name! However, I don't wear those names that glorify a person, a method, or a doctrine. I wear the name of Him who was crucified for me, and in whose name I was baptized (I Corinthians 1:13). Salvation is in no other name, but the name of Christ (Acts 4:12). That's why I am pleased to wear the name "Christian" (Acts 11:26), the "new name" God gave to His people after the Gentiles had seen His righteousness (Isaiah 62:2), and which glorifies God (I Peter 4:16).

Yes, I do believe in methods, baptism, presbyters, etc., but I don't wear divisive human names, which may honor the teaching, but not the "Author and Finisher of our faith", Jesus Christ. If you obey the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16), you, too, can be simply a Christian and wear the name of Christ, which is embodied in the very word "Christian."