Here in the Oklahoma City metro area, I have seen churches called “The Rock”, “Revive church”, “The Well”, “Cathedral of Praise”, “Church of the Harvest”, “Crossings Community church”, “Eagle’s Crest Fellowship”, “Grace Fellowship”, “Life Church” and a whole bunch more. You’ve seen’em I’m sure.

Jesus said he would build his church, and he did just that. But did he give it a name?

We should know that he likened himself to the groom, thus the church is his bride (Matthew 9:14-15). He also called himself the Good Shepherd, and his disciples the sheep of his fold (John 10:11-16). Other inspired references to the church are:

The Way – Acts 19:9 & 23 (of course Jesus is the way, John 14:6)

Church of God – Acts 20:28

Churches of Christ – Romans 16:16

Christ’s body – Ephesians 1:22-23

The kingdom of God’s beloved Son – Colossians 1:13

Church of God in Christ Jesus – 1st Thessalonians 2:14

The household of God – 1st Timothy 3:15

The church of the Living God – 1st Timothy 3:15

The pillar & support of truth – 1st Timothy 3:15 (Jesus is the truth, John 14:6)

The general assembly & church of the firstborn – Hebrews 12:23

I may have missed a few, but the one thing I have noticed every time the church is “named” in scripture is that reference is always made to the church’s connection with the Father or the Son.

And yes, I know that there is much more to being Jesus’ church than calling ourselves something that reflects his ownership. That being said, since we have so many examples of titles reflecting his ownership as noted above, shouldn’t we at the very least, do the same?