Don't Be Afraid of a Label

I recently read a book by a Christian author whom I respect both before I read the book and after. But at one point he commented how several years ago he led his church in changing its name from such and such Baptist church to such and such Community church. He felt the label Baptist was no longer appropriate, even though there was no change in the doctrinal positions of the church. The implication of his statement was that the word Baptist would turn some people away from attending his church.

More than a decade ago, the seminary from which I graduated in 1970 changed its name from a name which included the word Baptist to a name which did not contain any denominational label. The school felt this was more appropriate, even though there has not been major changes in its theological positions, at least not so far.

What is there about the name Baptist that even some Baptists don't like? Lutherans are content to call themselves Lutherans. Catholics are content to call themselves Catholics. Presbyterians are content to call themselves Presbyterians. But Baptists seem to want to get away from the name they have historically taken. They seem to prefer names that are generic, like Fellowship, or lukewarm, like Community, or ambiguous, like Union.

The purpose of this article is not to chastise Baptists who forsake the name of their forefathers. Their decision is between them and the Lord. They didn't consult me, and I am not involved in their decision to do so. They have a right to call themselves anything they believe God wants them to call themselves.

My point is simply this. There is nothing wrong with the name Baptist and there is nothing wrong with wanting to be labeled as a Baptist.

Some object on the grounds that there will be no labels in Heaven, and that certainly is true. In Heaven everyone who is there will be known to be a true believer in Jesus Christ. No one else will be present. No one needs an identifying label in Heaven.

But I am not in Heaven yet. I live in a world full of labels. Labels are important in this world because there are so many choices, and the labels help us sort things through. When I go to the grocery store with my wife, she looks at the labels. She chooses suitable products for our food supply based on information she finds on the labels.

So, what does the label Baptist suggest to others? I think there are several things.

First, it suggests one who believes the innerrancy of the Scriptures. Baptists have traditionally been indentified with taking the Scriptures seriously and basing their doctrine, practices and hopes on the innerrant Word of God.

Second, it suggests one who has a faith relationship with Jesus Christ for salvation. It suggests one who is evangelistic in wanting to share the good news of the Gospel with others.

Third, it suggests one who believes the Scriptural method of baptism is by immersion. In fact, it is this doctrine that earned the group its name in the first place. It also suggests one who does not depend on baptism as the entrance to Heaven. Salvation is by faith in Christ, not by baptism.

Fourth, it suggests one who tries to be responsive to the needs of others. People who study the Word of God regularly and who pray regularly have a difficult time ignoring the real needs of others. Baptists have long been the source of people having their needs met.

It seems to me these are all good things. Why would I object to being identified with the label of a group that stands for all these things? I don't. I think it is a good thing to carry the label Baptist.

Does this mean I think Baptists are perfect? No. I am a Baptist, and I am not perfect. I know lots of Baptists, and none of them are perfect. But I know former Baptists who changed their names and dropped this label. Guess what! They're not perfect, either.

Does this mean all Baptists have correct doctrine? No. I have been in some Baptist churches where I was definitely not comfortable with the doctrines taught. There are groups of Baptists who have strayed from Biblical correctness. The label is, after all, a human label designed for use in this world. But a church that changes its name to Community or some other generic name might stray from the truth as well. Some have. There are no guarantees here.

I suppose the purpose some have for dropping the label Baptist is that they feel more people will come to them to hear the Gospel. I really don't know if that is true or not. There are some very large Community churches out there. There are also some very small ones. There are some very large Baptist churches out there. There are also some very small ones. The fact is, people are attracted more by what we as Christians say, do, and how we live than they are by a generic name, or by a literal name.

But at least the name Baptist suggests things that I as a believer want to be known by. The word Baptist over a church's door says much more to me than the word Community or Union does.

I am not ashamed, afraid, or reluctant to be identified with the label Baptist. It represents the things I stand for as a believer in Jesus Christ.