<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder A blessed Pentecost to you. Today is the day we celebrate the manifestation of the Holy Spirit to the disciples with the sound of a rushing wind and flames dancing above their heads. Emboldened by the Spirit, and finally understanding all of what Christ had done in relation to God's promises through "Moses and the prophets," they proceeded to proclaim the crucified and risen Savior to the people in Jerusalem. The Spirit still emboldens. He still brings understanding. He still uses God's Law to convict sinners. He still produces and strengthens faith through the Gospel and baptism. He still guides and guards Christ's holy Church. We thank our Savior for sending this most excellent gift from His Father. Q: Why did the Lutherans name themselves after a person other than Jesus Christ? For that matter, why do other churches have the names they do? A: Lutherans are, of course, named for Martin Luther. He didn't set out to start a new church when he posted topics for debate on the church doors in Wittenberg, Saxony. He wanted to address moral problems and questions of belief and practice in the Catholic Church. When a split seemed unavoidable, he urged against naming the new faction after himself. For several years, his followers called themselves Evangelicals (which means, "of the Gospel"). They were, for a time, also called Protestants, because of their protest against royal treatment of themselves. Many catholic theologians continued to call them Lutherans, meaning it as an insult. The Evangelicals decided that the name summed up what they believed and taught, namely "salvation by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith," and kept the title for themselves. The Episcopal Church is named for its form of government. *Episcopos* is Greek for "overseer" or "bishop." The bishops have a strong voice in the theological and other affairs of the church. The Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. is part of the Anglican tradition. Anglican refers to "English," since this body was established in England under King Henry VIII. Another body named for its form of church government is the Presbyterian Church. *Presbyteros* is the Greek word for "elder." Here, the people elect elders, who, in turn meet to determine church policy. Similarly, the Congregationalists were named because their basic unit of government is the local congregation. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest group claiming the title of Christian. Catholic means "universal." It was first used of Christians in a letter written by Ignatius in A.D. 110. Some non-Roman Catholic churches still use the word in their creeds, confessing the universal Christian faith in Jesus Christ as Savior from sins. The term "Roman" distinguishes a specific entity from the entire body of Christendom. Many Eastern European and Asian churches carry the title Orthodox. Among them are the Greek and Russian Orthodox. Orthodox means "right teaching." The Orthodox took this title to distinguish themselves from various heterodox (mixed teaching) and heretical groups and individuals who often taught that Jesus was not truly and fully both God and man, as the Scriptures confess him to be. The Baptist Church takes its name from its belief that only the "believer's baptism" can be accepted. This is usually determined to be a baptism by immersion, so the presence of a large pool (baptistry) or other source of water is usually noted. Methodism started as a challenge by John and Charles Wesley to religious indifference in England. A system, or method, of purposeful change and advancement in Christian faith and life gave this church its name. Even the Jews did not always have this name for themselves. It appears late in the Old Testament, referring to those who remained after the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed. Only the tribe of Judah, part of Benjamin, and some of the priestly tribe of Levi kept their religious and social identity. Jew is a variation of Judah. Before this time, the people would have normally called themselves Israelites or Hebrews. Have a new question? You can mail (or E-mail) "Ask the Pastor" at PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951 or just ask me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas, and coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.