Christians have become a bit hesitant these days to refer to the New Testament church as “The Church of Christ.” While I was growing up, a minor debate on the “official name” of the church was going on. It was determined, and correctly so, that there was no one name that could be considered “official.” When it began on the Day of Pentecost, the body of Christ was simply called “the church” (Acts 2:47). This simple designation is found repeatedly in the book of Acts (5:11; 8:1, 3; 11:22, 26; 12:1, 5; 13:1; 14:23, 27; 15:3-4, 22; 18:22; 20:17).

Notably, one time it is referred to as “the church of God” (Acts 20:28), but even there “God” in that context is Jesus Christ Himself! He purchased the church with His own blood. The local church at Corinth was called “the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2). So again, this is another way of saying “the church of Christ.” See also 1 Corinthians 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 3:5, 15.

The first appearance of “church” in the New Testament is when Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18, “…I will build My church…” If we were to say that another way, it would be “the church of Christ” or “the church of Jesus Christ.” This would be most correct because the church found in the New Testament belongs to Jesus. He built it, He is its Founder, and it is Divine!

Thirty-five times in the New Testament the plural is used, such as at Romans 16:16, “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.” Often the phrase “churches of God” is used (1 Cor. 11:16; 1 Thess. 2:14; 2 Thess. 1:4). So why do we not find faithful churches today using the phrase “Church of God”? It would be appropriate and certainly biblical, but not everyone would understand that “God” means “Christ” in this designation. So it would not be the most expedient phrase to use. But a church might still use it.

When we read about the seven churches in Asia (Rev. 2-3), it is abundantly evident that Jesus Christ is the Head of them! Jesus delivers positive encouragement and also rebuke when needed. In each of the seven letters, the churches are encouraged to “hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” But we know that the Spirit is delivering the message authorized by Jesus Christ (see Jn. 16:13-14). Jesus Christ is the One who “searches the minds and hearts” and gives to each one “according to your works” (Rev. 23:23). Jesus Christ is the One who threatens to remove their “candlestick” or “lampstand” of Divine Identity if they do not repent! (Rev. 1:20; 2:1, 5). So whether we refer to the redeemed saints as “the church,” “the church of Christ” or “the church of God (Christ),” the prevailing thought is that Jesus Christ is the Head of His church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22), “He is the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23), and in all things He must have “the preeminence” (Col. 1:18).

With such overwhelming evidence, why are brethren today almost afraid to call the Lord’s body, “the church of Christ”? I fear that in trying to be so scriptural, we have “watered down” the point that there is one, true church, and that the many denominations today which call themselves “church of ____” are not really “churches” that belong to Christ at all! In the words of some pioneer preachers of the past, “in trying to go back to Jerusalem, some have passed it by and landed in Jericho!” I believe it is time to go to the Scriptures, the Creed Book of Jesus Christ, and call the church what it truly is — the church that belongs to  Christ! If we fear driving away visitors, perhaps it is because we are trying to “sneak” them in without proper conviction.  

Wayne Goff

When I study with my religious friends they are quick to respond to the first article by saying, “Well, the church of Christ was started by Alexander Campbell.” Just who is this man? Alexander Campbell was from Ireland. He was born in 1788 and died in 1866. His father, Thomas, was a Presbyterian minister. Alexander rebelled against much of the Presbyterian doctrine.

Alexander wasn’t the only one to object to many denominational doctrines and encourage people to get back to the scriptures. But there is no question that Alexander Campbell was a prominent figure of what is often referred to as the restoration movement.  Encouraging people to cast off the shackles of denominationalism wasn’t a bad thing. However, he is not to be credited with starting the church of Christ.

I personal left a denomination back in the 1970’s. When I started preaching and telling people to get back to the scriptures, I wasn’t starting the church of Christ either. Jesus did that back in 33 AD when He died (read first article). It would be like finding a recipe for homemade bread. If I make it, would that mean I invented bread? Of course not.

Any person today that belongs to a religious sect that was founded upon some man, can teach himself or herself out of it. When they do, they are not establishing anything new. The truth was given by Christ so that all can know (Jn. 8:32). This is why there were faithful Christians belonging to Christ’s church before Alexander Campbell came along. As a matter of fact, even though this man taught many things that were correct, he still clung to some doctrines that were not Biblically correct. This only teaches us again the important lesson that we are to follow no man but Christ Jesus.

Remember, you can claim that Christ is the builder and founder of your religious sect, but that is not true if it was founded upon a man or any man-made teachings. There were churches in Biblical times who were amiss but didn’t think they were (Read- Rev. 2-30). Let’s study the show ourselves approved.

Chuck

Before we answer the question given in the title, let’s first qualify some things. Reason being, everyone has been given free-will. Thus, we can choose to do whatever we want. The question at hand is more of, do I have to be a member of the church of Christ to be pleasing to the Father? Let’s see what the Bible has to say.

What pleases the Lord?

It is vital that we understand that pleasing the Lord is not based upon what pleases us. So often you find religious people doing things for the God that He did not approve of. Consider what Cain did. In Hebrews 11:4, we are told that Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Did you notice it said that Cain offered a sacrifice? And, he offered it to God. This pleased Cain but it didn’t please the Lord. Reason being, the Hebrew writer clearly stated that it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6). The faith we are to have comes from the word of God (Rom. 10:17). All of this simply means, the Father tells us what is pleasing to Him, so we don’t have to guess.

What is the church of Christ?

It would be silly to answer the original question if someone doesn’t even know what the church of Christ is. Just like the previous point where people are guilty of assuming what God wants, people are guilty of thinking they know what the church of Christ is, when they don’t .We are not talking about a denominational church. Are there denominational churches of Christ? Yes. But that’s not what we are dealing with. From a Biblical standpoint, what is the church of Christ? To begin with, it isn’t to be a man-made religious organization. Jesus promised to build His spiritual body, the church, which He did (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23). Those who obey the gospel are the Lord’s special people that have been called out of darkness (I Pet. 2:9; Col. 1:13). So what we are talking about is a people that belong to Christ which He rules over since He is the head of the church having all authority (Col. 1:18; Matt. 28:18).

Who is a member of the church of Christ? 

Just like the previous point, again, man thinks he can control who becomes a member or not. The truth is, man has no say in the matter. No one, not a group of people can vote in, or add anyone to the church of Christ. Why? The church does not belong to the church, it belongs to Christ, it is His. I realize this is foreign to many people. Since the thousands of man-made religious organizations establish their own doctrines, it therefore puts them in control of who they will accept into the church. What everyone needs to know, is that Jesus adds all those who obey the gospel to His church (Acts 2:41-47). Obviously, since Christ promised and built it, it only makes sense that He decides who He will add to it. And those are the saved!

If not a member of the church of Christ, what other choices are there?

I can’t imagine anyone who wants to be saved, and be added to the church that is Christ’s, asking the question: Do I have to be a member of the church of Christ? Every saint in the first century was a member of Christ’s church (Rom. 16:16). Now we see the answer is crystal clear. If someone wants to please the Lord, be part of the spiritual family, Christ’s church, then YES, one must be a member of the church of Christ. No, not some religious sect that uses the Biblical name, but those who became Christians, having the Savior add then automatically to His spiritual family – the church of Christ.

Chuck