During the first century,the believers were know as :
Brethren/brothers,
Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Christians:
Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
The way:
Act 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Saints:
Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Philip 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
There might be others,but these will be sufficient for now.
Yet it seems that after the Reformation,the believrs were being known by other titles,or names which might not be found in the Scriptures.
Protestants:
Anabaptists
Baptists
Presbyterians
Evangelicals
Non-Denominational
Greek Orthodox
Roman Catholic
Catholic
Anglican
Lutherans
Episcopealians
Methodist
Wesleyans
I wonder what has happened since Yeshua prayed for the believers to be united.
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
( This could refute the Rapture).
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
I find this to be sadly funny.
Some will fight and argue for the benefits of Calvinism,
Yet before the reformation at least the believers knew whose they were,
And they knew who they were.
The first century believers has problems,but one of them may not have been with their identity.
Aloha
Mr.Meanie
ps:
I could be wrong,i have been known to be wrong from the time i open my eyes,until i start dreaming.
My friend, Matt, was telling me there's about 30,000 different denominations in the United States. Is that true? I had no idea there were so many. He said there's a "Brethren" denomination. What seems ridiculous to me is that non-denomination has become a denomination! If divisions mean carnality, man, what a carnal state the CHURCH is in!!!!!
