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What Is The "church of Christ"?
The word "church" means the "called out ones." The church is composed of those who have been "called out" of the world by the gospel unto Christ, (2Thess.2:14). Thus, these "called out ones" are simply Christians trying to be just what the followers ofChrist were in New Testament times (1Thess.1:5,6). In New Testament times each local congregation of God's people was a church of Christ. For example, there was a church of Christ at Philippi, a church of Christ at Corinth, a church of Christ at Jerusalem, etc. (Phil.1:1) (1Cor.1:2) (Acts8:1) (Romans16:16).
What We Are
We are:
1. The saved. The church is the saved, (Eph.5:23). The church is Not the
Savior; Jesus is. The church is the body of Christ,with Jesus as its head (Eph.1:22,23).
ALL who believe in Jesus and are baptized are saved, (Mark16:16); that is, they are
"added to the church" by the Lord, (Acts2:38,41,47). The church at Samaria
consisted of the saved, those who had believedand been baptized after hearing the things
concerning the kingdom of God (i.e. the church of God), and the name of Jesus Christ
(Acts8:5,12).
2. Subject to Christ. Jesus is "the head over all things to the church,"
(Eph.1:22,23) (Eph.5:24). We have no synods or conventions to guide us. We are not part of
any amalgamation or
association of churches. We are subject only to the authority of Christ, (Matt.28:18)
(Col.3:17)
What we are NOT
We are not:
1. A denomination. We are not associated or affiliated with denominationalism. The creeds
of denominations are foreign to the Bible teaching on Christ's church. The only church
founded by God is the one mentioned in the Bible (Matt.16:18).
2. Catholic or Protestant. We are not a Catholic Church. We honor and revere no man or
human authority such as the Pope(Matt.28:18). We are not a "Protestant" church
in the popular sense. We "protest" sin, false doctrine, ungodliness, and
immorality, but we are not allied with Protestant denominationalism. Catholics and
Protestants are not referred to in the
scriptures; Christians are. (Acts11:26).
3. A social Club. The church was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts20:28). The Son
of God did not die for a social
organization, but for a "spiritual house" (1Pet.2:5). We are not a glorified
social center. We are the church. We worship God"in spirit and truth"
(John4:24), not fun, food, and frolic (Romans14:17).
Why The Name "church of Christ "?
In New Testament times, the church was called:
"the church" (Acts 2:47; 5:11; 8:1)
"church of God" (1Cor. 1:2; 1Tim. 3:15)
"body of Christ" (Col. 1:24; Eph 4:12)
"churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16)
"church of the first-born" (Heb. 12:23)
Individual members of the church were called:
"Disciples" (Acts 11:26)
"Saints" (Rom. 1:7; 1Cor. 1:2)
"brethren" (Acts 11:26; 26:28)
"Christians" (Acts 11:26) (1Peter 4:16).
Whatever we do in word or deed must be by the authority of Christ (Col.3:17).
What Is The Creed Of The church?
Jesus Christ is the only creed of the church, (Matt. 16:16,17). Anything more or less is of human origin (2Timothy 3:16, 17).
As Christians, How Do We Worship The Lord?
The New Testament says "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9). Christians must conduct worship consisting only of those elements found in the New Testament church (John4:24). These are: prayer (Acts2:42), singing (Col3:16), gospel preaching (Acts20:7), observing the Lord's Supper (1Cor.11:23-26) (Acts20:7), and contributing of our means (1Cor.16:1,2), for the work of the church (Eph.4:12). All of these actions of worship are privileges of the members of the Lord's church and in no way will be forced upon our visitors.
How Can I Tell if A Congregation is Of Christ?
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye
continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and
ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free..." (John8:31,32). We live
in a world where there are hundreds of different kinds of so-called churches, all of them
differing in name, in creed, and in practice; And yet all of them claim to be Christian
and headed by Christ. How can one be sure which church, creed, or practice is what Jesus
wants and which is of man? By examining what is taught and practiced against the only
standard available... GOD'S WORD (1John4:1).
How Does One Become a Member of The Church?
The Lord adds to the church those who are being saved, (Acts2:47). One does not "join" the church. To be saved, one mustdo the will of God, (Matt.7:21-23). The will of God, as expressed by the New Testament, for the sinner outside the body of
Christ, is that he:
HEAR the Gospel
(Rom. 10:17)
BELIEVE in Christ
(John 8:24)(Heb. 11:6)
REPENT of his sins
(A change of mind, involving action)
(Acts 17:30,31) (Acts 26:20)
CONFESS faith in Christ
(Matt. 10:32; Rom 10:10)
BE BAPTIZED for the remission of sins
(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)
People are saved and added to the Lord's church today in the same manner that they were in
New Testament times
(1Cor.12:13) (1Peter1:23-25).