“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1

“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” Proverbs 22:28

“And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Acts 11:26b

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Philippians 2:10

A recent survey in our secular culture indicated that the name “Christian” is not as positive a name as it was a generation ago. No matter what our culture says, none of us will abandon the name “Christian.” It is a “good name” an “ancient landmark” and honors our Lord. Another good name is “Baptist.”

The names “Christian” and “Baptist” are good names and “ancient landmarks” which must not be discarded. Believers were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26). “Christian” means “Little Christ” and was at first a label, even derogatory. But this label became a “good name” which marks our commitment to the Saviour.

The good name “Baptist” was a label at first, too. In the beginning days of the Protestant Reformation, when men rediscovered the Bible, new believers were immersed, baptized. These radical new Christians were labeled “Baptists.” This label became a “good name.” We have proudly worn the “good name” of Baptists for nearly 500 years. “Christian” and “Baptist” are good names, “ancient landmarks” and must be worn joyfully and boldly. We can be thankful we are Christians. We can be thankful we are Baptists.

We are members of the Tennessee Baptist Convention; an expression of ministry as members of local Southern Baptist Churches. We are the body of Christ united for worship and ministry. We are Baptist Christians.

In January 1969 as a teenage preacher boy at Belmont College, I attended the Tennessee Baptist State Evangelism Conference in Nashville. What a life changing night it was! First, Roy Roberts, Executive Director of Ohio Baptists preached. He was a soul winning, on fire, Church planting, Baptist leader. He related story after story of winning souls to Christ in Ohio. What a motivation it was to my young heart.

R. G. Lee, retired Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis preached next. I had first heard Dr. Lee as a little boy when he preached on his favorite subject “Jesus.” This “Prince of preachers” gave several names for Jesus using all the letters of the alphabet. It was wonderful and touched my young heart as a boy.

In the sermon at the State Evangelism Conference Dr. Lee said, “Be proud you are a Baptist!” That sentence went to my heart like an arrow. “Be proud you are a Baptist.” “Baptist” is a good name. We should be proud we are Baptists.

Being a Baptist means we believe in Verbal Inspiration, the Virgin Birth, the Vicarious atonement, the Victorious Resurrection, and His Visible Return. Being a Baptist means we believe in salvation by grace, the local Church, world missions, the Cooperative Program. Yes, we should be proud we are Baptists.

In this Laodicean age some have become ashamed of the good name “Baptist.” Churches hide the name Baptist and do not use it on their signs, advertising, or literature. The name Baptist is in their By-laws, but they are not “proud” they are Baptists.

Churches do this out of fear. They are afraid lost people will not come if they see the word “Baptist.” But lost people know nothing about names of Churches! Surveys show that “Baptist” is a neutral term to the lost man. God is not dead! The Holy Spirit will reach lost people in a Baptist Church. If God’s Word is preached from a Spirit anointed pulpit, people will come to Christ in a Baptist Church. Our Saviour said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32

Pastors and Churches must be unashamed Baptists. The Tennessee Baptist Convention needs to be proud we are Baptists. Our Colleges, Universities, and institutions must be proud we are Baptists. New Mission Churches we help establish must be proud we are Baptists.

No Cooperative Program funds should be given to start generic Churches; only Baptist Churches. New missions that receive TBC funds must have Baptist in their name, the sign out front and their publications. Baptist is a good name. Each new mission should give 10% to the Cooperative Program from inception.

By starting and funding generic Churches, the TBC is sowing the seeds of its own demise. Remember the wisdom of Dr. R. G. Lee, “Be proud you are a Baptist.”

The best name of all is JESUS, the name above all names. His is not only a good name, but His name is Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” A “good name” is to be chosen over great riches.

We have been blessed by God with good names like “Jesus,” “Christian,” and “Baptist.” Be proud of these names! The Holy Spirit will honor the honest and powerful proclamation of the Gospel of Christ and the Word of God in the Baptist Churches which God ordained.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16