Jesus came to establish his church during his earthly ministry. There has been much debate over the centuries about what name Jesus gave to his church. Some say it is the Catholic Church, others argue it is a particular Protestant denomination. But what does the Bible say? What name did Jesus actually give to his church?
The Church Belongs to Christ
The New Testament clearly teaches that the church belongs to Christ. Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). The church does not belong to any man or human institution – it belongs to Jesus. Paul confirms this when he tells the elders of Ephesus “to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Multiple times in Scripture the church is referred to as the “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2, 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 3:5,15). It belongs to God and Christ.
The Church is the Body of Christ
The New Testament frequently uses the metaphor of the church as the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23 says that God “gave Him [Christ] as head over all things to the church, which is His body.” Colossians 1:18 calls Christ “the head of the body, the church.” This description emphasizes Christ’s ownership and headship over his church. Just as a head directs and controls its body, so Christ governs his church. The church is an extension of Christ on earth to carry out His work.
The Church’s Foundation is Christ
Not only does Scripture call the church Christ’s body, but it also describes Christ as the church’s foundation. The apostle Paul wrote, “According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). Paul says he laid the foundation of the church, but qualifies that the true foundation is not himself but Christ. The church is built upon Christ as its cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). He is the bedrock on which the church rests.
The Church Was Purchased by Christ’s Blood
As Acts 20:28 states, Christ purchased the church with his own blood. His atoning death on the cross made the church possible. He redeemed and purified the church to be his bride:
“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Christ paid the ultimate price through his blood to make the church his own. The church belongs to the One who paid such a high cost.
The Church Bears Christ’s Name
If the church belongs to Christ, should it not bear his name? In the New Testament, followers of Christ are called “Christians” – those belonging to Christ (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Members of Christ’s church are Christians. But what about the church itself as an institution? What name did Jesus give it?
The Church’s Name Honors Christ
Jesus declared that he came to glorify the Father (John 17:4). As an extension of Christ, the church he established should glorify and honor him. Its very name should exalt the One to whom it belongs. Paul wrote that God has “highly exalted [Christ] and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). The church’s name should reflect Christ’s preeminence.
The Church as the Assembly of Christ
The Greek word translated “church” in our English Bibles is ekklesia. It means “assembly” or “congregation.” The church is the assembly that belongs to Christ – the assembly of Christ. When Jesus said “I will build my church” the expression could be rendered “I will build my assembly.” The church consists of those assembled together under Christ’s ownership.
The Church’s Name in Scripture
While Scripture does not provide an explicit verse stating the full proper name of Christ’s church, it does contain clues:
Churches of Christ
Paul wrote to the Romans, “The churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16). Here he uses “churches of Christ” to describe the congregations under Christ’s lordship. The plural indicates he is not referring to a single institution like the Roman Catholic Church. Rather, these are multiple independent bodies belonging to Christ.
Church of God
As already discussed, the New Testament repeatedly refers to the “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2, 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 3:5,15). The church belongs to God because Christ purchased it with his blood.
Body of Christ
The metaphor of the church as Christ’s body also implies it can appropriately be called the Body of Christ. The church is Christ’s spiritual body on earth (Colossians 1:24).
Christian Church
Since believers in Christ’s church are called Christians, it logically follows that the institution could be called the Christian Church. The church consists of Christians who are following Christ.
What’s in a Name?
Ultimately, the New Testament does not mandate a particular name that must be used to refer to Christ’s church. The emphasis is on the fact that the church belongs to Christ, not what it is called. However, based on the biblical evidence, names like “Church of Christ,” “Church of God,” “Body of Christ,” and “Christian Church” accurately reflect that the church is Christ’s possession and should honor him. The church’s name is not what saves – it is Christ who saves. But the church’s name should glorify its Savior.
The Church Christ Built
Christ said he would build his church, and the book of Acts records the founding and early growth of that church under the apostles’ leadership. The churches it describes in places like Jerusalem, Antioch, and Philippi were simply groups of Christians assembling together – Christ’s church. These churches bore no special denominational label. They were just the body of Christ, the assembly of Christ’s followers in that locale. This pattern continues today. Wherever true believers unite in faithfulness to Christ and his word, there is his church.
Congregational Autonomy
The biblical model is that each congregation is self-governing under Christ as its head. There is no top-down organizational structure beyond the local church level. Each church belongs directly to Christ. This is why the New Testament references “churches of Christ” in the plural rather than a single church. Each congregation is autonomous.
Elders in Every Church
Still, the Bible does provide a blueprint for the organization of individual churches. Each church had a plurality of elders (also called bishops/overseers) who provided spiritual oversight within that congregation (Acts 14:23, 20:17, Titus 1:5). Deacons served under the elders as servants ministering to the church body (Philippians 1:1). Evangelists like Paul helped spread the gospel and plant new churches (2 Timothy 4:5).
Names and Titles are Unimportant
The emphasis is on the function each person fulfills, not titles. Names of positions like Pastor, Reverend, or Father are foreign to the New Testament. What matters is submitting to Christ as head and following the pattern of church government he inspired. The church’s founder and foundation is Christ – it is his church.
The Church’s Identity in Christ
Names and labels are immaterial compared to the church’s identity and relationship with Christ. Is Christ the very foundation and cornerstone of the church? Is his word its absolute authority in doctrine and practice? Does the Holy Spirit dwell in its members? Is God glorified in its worship and Christian service? These questions are far more important than any particular denominational designation. Nevertheless, the names “churches of Christ,” “Body of Christ,” and “Christian churches” accurately reflect the church’s identity in Christ.
Conclusion
The New Testament does not explicitly name Christ’s church. However, based on the descriptions of the church in Scripture, appropriate biblical names include “Church of Christ,” “Church of God,” “Body of Christ,” and “Christian Church.” Most importantly, the church belongs to Christ – it is his possession, purchased by his blood. The church should honor Christ and submit to him as its head. He is its cornerstone and foundation. That identity is far more vital than any formal name. Wherever believers submit to Christ as Lord and adhere closely to Scripture, there is Christ’s true church, regardless of the name on the sign outside. The name is unimportant compared to the relationship with Jesus. Through that relationship, the Church belongs to Christ.