Acts 11:26 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Acts 24:14 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

Using and Abusing Labels in Doctrinal Differences

Using Labels Are all labels condemned in Scripture? Philippians 3:2 Galatians 5:12 1 Kings 18:27 Are we uncomfortable with some of these labels? Why or why not? Does that make them wrong?

Using Labels Consider some labels Biblically used… “false teachers” – 2 Pet. 2:1-2 “fools” – Matt. 5:21-26 “hypocrites” – Matt. 23:13-36 Can these be used in a way that manifests the fruit of the Spirit? – cf. Gal. 5:22-23 Can these be used to promote and maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? – cf. Eph. 4:1-3

Using Labels Thinking it through… We can make a clear argument that using such labels might indeed be lawful. Can we say that using such labels is always expedient? Can we safely make the same plea for some of the modern, man-made labels we use to identify those we disagree with?

CHALLENGE: T H I N K Before You Label… Is it TRUE? “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath…” ~ James 1:19 H Is it HELPFUL? I Is it INSPIRING? N Is it NECESSARY? K Is it KIND?