The Church Of Christ

In a world where there is a “church” to suit every fancy and whim, I wholeheartedly affirm that I am not ashamed to be a part of the church of Christ.  Sadly, there are some in this world who think that I have the wrong point of view.  Let me take the time to supply Scriptures and comments as to why it is a blessing to be a part of the church of Christ.

          First of all, there are some who wrongfully believe that the church of Christ is one of many “denominations” that make up the “whole church”.  This way of thinking is absolutely contrary to what is found in the Bible.  It is recorded that Jesus said, “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” (Matt. 16:18).  Please carefully examine this verse.  Nowhere in the verse did Jesus claim that He would build many different “churches”.  Instead, Jesus stated that He would build “my church”.  The usage of “my” indicates that the church belongs to Jesus.  It has been purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28).  That is why it is correct to identify as the church of Christ.  It is His, not mine or yours.  Jesus plainly claimed that He would build only one church.  By saying “my church”, Jesus ruled against anyone else “building” another “church”. 

          As many know, the word church is translated from the Greek word ekklesia, which indicates “the called out”.  Jesus does not have multiple “churches” that include His “called out”.  There is only one.  Each time a person obeys the Gospel, Jesus adds that individual to the (singular) church.  “Praising God, and having favour with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).  Again, notice “the church”.  It is the church of Christ that contains the “saved”.  No other “church” can correctly make that statement because the Lord only adds to “the church”, which has been shown to be singular and His.

          To further support these truths, please notice the following verses that equate the terms “church” and “body”.  Paul wrote, “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23).  This was not the only time that “church” and “body” were used as synonyms.  Paul also wrote, “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” (Col. 1:18).  The church is the “body of Christ”.  It is explicitly stated as such in the following verse:  “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Cor. 12:27).  Just like with “the church”, it is also known as “the body”.  Both are singular terms.

          We should not believe that the idea of “denominating” the church is something new.  Unfortunately, there were attempts to fracture the body even in the first century.  Please notice, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you” (1 Cor. 1:10-11).  Christ does not want division, different doctrines, different worship, or different “bodies”.  It is explicitly stated that “…There is one body…” (Eph. 4:4).  God has not left us with a lack of information about the church of Christ.  Unfortunately, some have never examined the Scriptures closely enough to see the errors that exist, or else some defiantly do not care. 

          I hope that the next reference will change the way that some think.  Since there is “the church”/“the body”, it should not surprise us to find that Jesus “…is the saviour of the body” (Eph. 5:23).  He is not going to save counterfeit “bodies”/“churches”.  He is going to save His, the church of Christ.

          I realize that some who read this might find themselves outside of the church of Christ.  I plead with you to accept the truth of God’s Word.  Please do not let others, who are good at perverting the Word of God, deceive you into believing that you can be a part of “the church of your choice”, and still be saved.  If you would like to study further, then I encourage you to do such.  If you would like me to study with you, then please let me know.  Your soul is more valuable than anything, or anyone else, on the Earth (Matt. 16:26).  Make sure that you are a member of the church of Christ!
~ Corey Barnette