What does "First" mean when it is on a church's name?

Question

Good morning all. Serious question about church names, I have always been a bit confused about the "First" that is found on many protestant church names. Such as:
First Baptist
First Methodist
First Christian
etc, etc, etc

My question is twofold:

First, What is the purpose of the title? What does it mean?

Second, if you are at a church that has this in the name, how do you feel about it, in light of Mt 20:16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last"

Thanks for your toughts, have a great day

Acorn · Accepted Answer

I think Magley is right.  I always thought it meant that they were the 1st Methodist or Baptist or Pentecostal church in that town.

Of course there is a denomination whose real name is "First Christian."  They're also called "Disciples of Christ."  They're a break-off group from the Presbyterian and Anabaptist denominations.

Anonymous · Answer

There may be 12 such churches in town, but the 1st one is the oldest.  The "first" to exist in your town.

Anonymous · Answer

Law. I noticed it a lot while visiting Tenesee, USA.

John 1:17
The law (and lie) was given by Moses ... FIRST
But grace and truth came by JC ... SECOND

Hebrews 10:9
He taketh away the FIRST (law)
that he may establish the SECOND (grace)

The second coming "is come": 1John 4:2.
It "came" over 2000 years ago: John 1:17.
It came for compare-i-son, not mix-tu-are.
For mixture of contrary things = oxy-moron.

Grace --> Mercy --> Peace with you all. Amen.

dewcoons · Answer

It usually means that the church was the first one of that denomination to open in the town.  I assume that there is more than one Baptist church in your town. (Probably more than one in your block)

Anonymous · Answer

We were here first, if one goes up next door, they better be the 2nd...

Sarrafzedehkhoee · Answer

We're # 1!

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What does "First" mean when it is on a church's name?

6 Answers