Christians Only — the Case to Be Made

2026-10-18 · namesunityidentity

This essay is a placeholder — a writing plan. The full case is being written.

Placeholder essay. This page is a writing plan. Replace it with the full essay when ready, then set placeholder: false in the front matter at the top of the file.

What this essay will cover

Why the name “Christian” is sufficient, where party names come from, and what it costs and gives up to refuse them.

Primary evidence

The name given at Antioch. Acts 11:26 — the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Wearing the name honorably. 1 Peter 4:16 — “if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.”
Paul’s rebuke of party names. 1 Corinthians 1:12–13 — “is Christ divided?”

Secondary evidence

“Christian” used by outsiders (Agrippa, Acts 26:28) and adopted by the church as its own confession.
The historical rise of denominational labels in the sixteenth century and after — a record of division, not mission.

Objections and replies

“Names are just descriptions; nobody means division by them.”
“A shared label helps people find like-minded congregations. Isn’t that practical good?”

Sources to cite

Primary text first; then historians of the early church; then the strongest opposing voice, quoted fairly.

This essay is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 — share it freely with credit, unaltered, non-commercial. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain).