The Choosing of a Name

Names are far more meaningful than we usually realize.

Dale Carnegie suggested that “a person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” But the fact of the matter is that some people like their names, but others do not like them and even try to change them. Thus, much care should be taken in choosing names for our children, a new company, and even a new church. Early Sabbath-keeping Adventists were reluctant to choose a name for their new denomination. Up until 1860, they referred to themselves as the “little flock” (Luke 12:32), the end-time “remnant” (Revelation 12:17, KJV), the “Sabbath and shut door believers,” “God’s Peculiar People That Keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12), “God’s covenant-keeping people,” “the church of God who keep the Sabbath—the seal of the living God,” and the “Philadelphia Church” (Revelation 3:7–13).

But there was no consensus about one specific name.

When Adventists decided to incorporate their publishing work under the laws of the state of Michigan, they had to choose an official name.

On October 1, 1860, at the 1860 General Conference Session in Battle Creek, Michigan, the discussions on the subject revolved around the names Church of God and Seventh-day Adventists. Upon considering the first name to be too generic and presumptuous, the final decision was, “Resolved, That we call ourselves Seventh-day Adventists.” In 1861, Ellen White declared, “The name Seventh-day Adventist carries the true features of our faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind.

Like an arrow from the Lord’s quiver, it will wound the transgressors of God’s law, and will lead to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” In many places around the world, Seventh-day Adventists are known as honest and trustworthy Christians. As members of this denomination, we are carrying its name too.

So, what have we done to preserve the good reputation of this denomination among our neighbors, coworkers, schoolmates, and friends? Remember that many people will judge the whole denomination by our behavior.