Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin
Conclusion: Denying the Lord's name is a common theme in the New Testament. If you are ashamed of Him in this age He also will deny you to His Father (Matt. 10:33). Likewise, having any other idol other than the Lord is a very serious sin also repeated in the New Testament. To "deny" the name of Christ was related to denying association with Christ in the face of persecution on those who were followers. Not only to save their lives from execution, but to avoid being outcast in society in general. Many Christians during the times of more severe persecution are not ashamed of openly preaching the gospel with boldness in the streets of Philadelphia. But there is nothing that suggests that denying His name is to denominate the church by taking any name other than the Lord’s is spiritual fornication! This is purely an eisegesis!
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I agree that WL's exposition on this verse in Philadelphia is repulsive. Primarily because it distracts us from this very crucial verse in the Bible.
I think it is fair to say that all Christians aspire to be in the church in Philadelphia. One requirement is that "you have not denied my name" and as one of the Bible expositors you quoted pointed out, this implies that there was pressure on the saints prior to this to deny the Lord's name. In my experience this pressure is common, it is ordained by the Lord.
But to the issue you focused on, I wondered how you could avoid "denominating" yourself. "American" is a denomination. "Southerner" is a denomination. "Texan" is a denomination. Likewise, as Christians it is seemingly impossible to not meet in an actual building with a relatively small group of believers (hundred, thousand?) and this will also have to have a name, an address, a phone number, etc. But Peter helped me with this conundrum when he referred to the false prophets saying they would bring in "damnable heresies". A heresy is a "school of thought". It is impossible for us not to be involved in heresies, but the condemnation is not on that, but on "damnable heresies". A heresy that denies the Lord's name would be a "damnable heresy" or one that divides the Body of Christ, or one that condemns brothers and sisters in the Lord. Those would be damnable heresies.