Church of Elohim: The True Name
Preamble
“And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.”
— Isaiah 62:2 (KJV)
“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Yahshua Messiah is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-Messiah.”
— 2 John 1:7 (KJV)
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Messiah, hath not Elohim. He that abideth in the doctrine of Messiah, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
— 2 John 1:9 (KJV)
The name of the true Church is not a product of man-made councils, creeds, or denominational branding. It is a divine identity, proclaimed by the mouth of Elohim Himself, revealed through His Word, and preserved by His faithful remnant. The Scriptures declare twelve times that the early believers bore the name “The Church of Elohim”, a name not of invention, but of inspiration — purchased with the blood of Yahshua Messiah (Acts 20:28).
In the historical record A History of the True Church by A.N. Dugger and C.O. Dodd, this truth rings out with consistency and conviction. Page after page confirms that, though the world has assigned many labels to the saints; Nazarenes, Sabbath-keepers, heretics the remnant never lost sight of their divine identity. As the authors affirm:
“While the name given these people by the world during this period was ‘Nazarenes,’ still they were known among themselves by the Bible name, ‘The Church of Elohim.’” (p. 11)
The Church was to be “called by a new name,” and this name, revealed in the New Testament and embraced by the faithful, WAS NOT Seventh-day Adventist, not Catholic, not Baptist AND NOT all these others names that hundreds of ''Messianic'' splinter groups are using today in Kenya and world over, but the Church of Elohim. It is this name that reflects both ownership and relationship — the assembly purchased, purified, and preserved by the Most High.
As Dugger and Dodd record:
“This also met its fulfillment when Yahshua gave the new name for the church recorded twelve times in the New Testament, viz., ‘The Church of Elohim.’” (p. 2)
Those early saints “clung to the true name,” as page 36 recounts, and ministered with the sacred identity, declaring not a sectarian title, but the original and inspired designation.
Today, in a time of fragmentation and spiritual confusion, the call to return to the true name of the Church is more than a matter of semantics; it is a return to the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, Yahshua Messiah Himself being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
A Doctrinal Lesson with Full KJV Verses and Commentary –– The Bible Name for the Church
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS
1. Was there a church in existence while the children of Israel were in the wilderness?
“This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:”
— Acts 7:38 (KJV)
Explanation:
This verse confirms that the church did not begin at Pentecost, but was already active during the time of Moses. It identifies the children of Israel as the early assembly or "church" under divine instruction. This church was entrusted with the "lively oracles" — the commandments and covenant — establishing continuity between Israel and the New Testament ecclesia.
2. After Yahshua Messiah came, did He establish a church that would continue through the ages?
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
— Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
Explanation:
Yahshua affirms that His assembly would be built upon a sure foundation, and no force, not even the grave (hades), would overcome it. The "rock" is not Peter, but Elohim — the Father (see Matthew 16:17), upon whom the spiritual house is built (Ephesians 2:20). This confirms the church's continuous existence through all generations.
3. Who is the Head of this Church?
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
— Colossians 1:18 (KJV)
Explanation:
Yahshua Messiah, not any human pope, bishop, or committee, is the sole Head of the Church. As the firstborn from the dead, He holds supremacy and spiritual authority over the body — His ecclesia.
4. If Messiah is the Head of the Church, who is the Head of Messiah?
“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Messiah; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Messiah is Elohim.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:3 (KJV)
Explanation:
There is divine order in spiritual headship: Elohim is the Head of Messiah, Messiah is the Head of man, and so forth. Thus, the church that Messiah established operates under the authority of Elohim through Yahshua.
5. By what name is the Church called in Scripture?
“Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of Elohim.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:32 (KJV)
Explanation:
The apostles called the body of believers the Church of Elohim, not by denominations, sects, or man's titles. This name appears repeatedly, always emphasizing the divine origin and ownership of the assembly.
6. Is the Church of Elohim in Yahshua Messiah?
“For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of Elohim which in Judaea are in Messiah Yahshua.”
— 1 Thessalonians 2:14 (KJV)
Explanation:
The true Church of Elohim is in Messiah Yahshua — it obeys His teachings, bears His Spirit (Word), and walks in His commandments. It is not merely organizational, but spiritual in nature.
7. What church did Messiah purchase with His own blood?
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of Elohim, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
— Acts 20:28 (KJV)
Explanation:
The Church of Elohim was purchased by Yahshua’s sacrificial death. It belongs to no man or movement, but solely to Elohim through His Son.
8. What is this Church declared to be?
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of Elohim, which is the church of the living Elohim, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
— 1 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)
Explanation:
The Church of Elohim is described as the house of Elohim and the pillar and ground of the truth. This means it upholds the Word, teaches righteousness, and preserves the commandments of Elohim.
9. What church was located in Corinth?
“Unto the church of Elohim which is at Corinth...”
— 1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
Explanation:
Even local assemblies bore the divine name — not the “Church of Corinth” or “Corinthian Fellowship,” but the Church of Elohim at Corinth, affirming identity with the universal body.
10. What are the members of this Church called to be?
“Unto the church of Elohim which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Messiah Yahshua, called to be saints...”
— 1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
Explanation:
The members of the Church of Elohim are called to be saints — sanctified, set apart, obedient to the commandments and teachings of Yahshua.
11. What governs the lives of these saints?
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Elohim, and the faith of Yahshua.”
— Revelation 14:12 (KJV)
Explanation:
The saints — members of the true Church of Elohim — are identified not only by faith, but by keeping the commandments of Elohim, which grace enables, not annuls.
12. What is the name of the family of Elohim in heaven and earth?
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Yahshua Messiah, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”
— Ephesians 3:14–15 (KJV)
Explanation:
The family of Elohim — both in heaven and earth — is named after Him. Therefore, the Church that bears His name, “Church of Elohim,” aligns with the divine identity.
13. What church did Paul persecute before his conversion?
“For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of Elohim.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:9 (KJV)
“For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of Elohim, and wasted it.”
— Galatians 1:13 (KJV)
Explanation:
Paul persecuted not a man-made institution but the Church of Elohim — the true assembly of the faithful, prior to becoming its greatest apostolic advocate.
Note:
At first, Paul was the most ardent persecutor of the Church of Elohim, but once he received divine revelation, he became a member and teacher in that same church. He went from tearing down to building up, from opposing to upholding.
Just like Paul, many today have been misled by denominationalism and man-made names. But the truth calls us back — back to the name revealed by Elohim, confirmed by Yahshua, and written twelve times in Scripture:
Church of Elohim.
✦ Call to Action: Return to the True Name
Elohim is calling His people in these last days to return to the ancient paths — not just in Sabbath-keeping, holiness, and sound doctrine, but also in bearing the true name of His assembly.
“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”
— Jeremiah 6:16 (KJV)
If you are part of a congregation or fellowship that does not uphold the biblical name given by Elohim, now is the time to examine, to return, and to proclaim it without shame:
We are not just a church. We are the Church of Elohim — purchased with the blood of His Son.
Stand with the remnant. Teach others. Embrace the name that honors the Father and testifies of the Son. Share this message, teach it in your homes, publish it among the assemblies. Do not be ashamed of the name written in heaven.
“And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.”
— Malachi 3:17 (KJV)
➤ Share this blog post. Teach it. Print it.
➤ Return to the name the apostles bore.
➤ Return to the name Yahshua purchased with His blood.
➤ Return to the name Elohim Himself appointed.
By: Mwangi Waite wa Ndeni
===================================================================================================================
