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

If you go up to any religious person that belongs to a denomination, and ask them who started the church they belong to, chances are they will say, “The Lord, of course!” The problem is, other than the church that Jesus purchased with His own blood (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28), all other religious sects were started by somebody or body of people. You can google the follow information to verify it, but her is a short list of religious groups when they started and who started them.

The Baptist church – started in 1607 by John Smyth.

The church of England – started in 1534 by Henry VIII.

The Jehovah Witnesses – started in 1874 by Charles Russell.

The Lutheran church – started in 1530 by Martin Luther.

The Mennonite church – started in 1525 by a group of folks.

The Methodist church – started in 1729 by John Wesley.

The Christian Science – started in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy.

The Christian church – started in 1859 by a group of folks.

The Free-will Baptist – started 1780 by Benjamin Randall.

The Assembly of God – started in 1914 by Roger Williams.

The Presbyterian church – started in 1535 by John Calvin.

The Holiness church – started in 1907 by Howard Hoople.

The Mormon church – started in 1830 by Joseph Smith Jr.

The Nazarene church – started in 1895 by P.F. Bresee.

The Church of God – started in 1880 by D.S. Warner.

The Pentecostal Holiness – started in 1898 by a group.

The Plymouth brethren – started in 1829 by a group.

The Salvation Army – started in 1865 by William Booth.

The Seventh-Day Adventist – started in 1846 by Ellen G. White.

The Unitarians – started in 16^th Century, by Faustus, Scoinus.

The Quakers – started in 16:50 by George Fox.

(Chart information copied).

The church you read about in the Bible was not a denomination, if wasn’t in part – it was complete. It was prophesied about by Isaiah (Isa. 2:2-3). This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ came and died on the cross. Prior to His death, the kingdom to come, was proclaimed  (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 6:10; etc.).

After Christ died and resurrected, the church/kingdom was now present (Acts 2:47; Col. 1:13). This church belongs to Christ of which He is the only head (Eph. 1:22-23). This makes sense since not only is He the builder, but He has all the authority (Matt. 28:18). It is wrong on so many levels to have religious groups claiming to be Christ’s church, when they have been started by some man built upon doctrines from man. Whereas the Lord’s church abides solely in His doctrine (II Jn. 9). Logic tells you, if all those religious sects belong to Christ then they were all started by Christ and teach the same things. But we know that’s not the case.

Chuck

There is no question that our Lord does not want anyone to perish (II Pet. 3:9). Even so, if you read that passage in Peter, you will note that it ended by saying “…but that all should come to repentance.” Was this talking about those who are not Christians?  No, he is talking about all people.

There is not enough space in this bulletin to list all the Biblical references that deal with the need for Christians to repent, but here are a few to read carefully: Rev. 2:5, II Cor. 7:9, Acts 8:22. Seeing that the Bible obviously requires Christians to repent, we can logically conclude that it would be wrong to say that a group of religious people are okay with God just because they call themselves a church.

We cannot consider all religious groups faithful because there is a God-given standard. Without a standard, churches would never need to be rebuked. Everybody can recognize that there are differences between today’s sects. Therefore, these differences mean that someone is wrong or all are wrong. They logically cannot mean that all are right. Because of the God-given standard, we must agree (Gal. 1:6-9; I Cor. 1:10).

As an example of how we must agree, notice what Paul told the church at Corinth. Paul spoke on the subject of giving and mentioned that he was telling them the same thing he taught the other churches of Galatia (I Cor. 16:1). An inspired apostle was not to instruct one church to do something the others were not also expected to do.

If we are adamant about our faith and yet refuse to say that others are wrong, we could be implying that our own group is actually wrong. If we insist that our religious group has the truth and yet still refuse to say others are wrong, we are indicating that we have misunderstood the nature of God’s word.

Nobody can be considered faithful that is not abiding in the doctrine of Christ (II John 9). It may be common to hear the idea, “Let’s agree to disagree” but that is not sanctioned by the Lord. As the head of His church, Jesus demands the church to be the pillar and ground of truth (I Tim. 3:15). Folks might gather to worship God, but their gathering must be right in His sight or else they are gathering for the worse, not the better (I Cor. 11:17-19).

Personally, I have more respect for the denominational church that claims they have the truth and others are wrong than I do for a group that says everyone is okay. To be clear, I am saying that I respect their position – I am not saying they are right with the Lord simply because they took a stand. My point is that we all must be willing to claim we have the truth and be willing to study with those who oppose. However, most groups shy away from controversy by not taking a stand and instead choose to be “politically correct.” Remember, Jesus was crucified because he exposed false teaching (Luke 22:1-2).

This article is not to be construed as permission to hate people or religious groups. There is no room for self-righteous attitudes. We are to love all people just as the Father and the Son did (John 3:16). Exposing error is NOT the same as constructing walls. We are ty identify the walls that already exist whether or not people want to acknowledge them. There is a big difference between having unlawful hate in one’s heart and hating every false way (Psa. 119:104).

It would be wonderful if one church was as good as another. If that were really true though, none of the epistles in the New Testament would have been written. Both warnings and rebukes are necessary to stay true to God’s standard (II Tim. 4:2).

Chuck

This might seem like one of the strangest questions anyone could ask. After all, if a group says they are Christ’s church, then they are His, right? No. I personally do not know of a denomination that does not claim to be a church that belongs to Christ (i.e. Christ’s church). If all churches belong to Christ, then it does not matter which we belong to. But does He accept every church that claims to belong to Him?

Many people been convinced that it does not matter if you attend a Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Nazarene or any other denominational church. Here is a short list of responses to why people think that all churches are Christ’s church.

1. The name does not matter.

Not so. Read: Acts 20:28; Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16

2. What you do in worship does not matter.

Not so. Read: John 4:24; Matt. 15:7-9

3. If some doctrines are not Biblical it is okay.

Not so. Read: Gal. 1:6-9

4. God is more interested in you being sincere.

Not so. Read: Rom. 10:1-3

5. As long as you have love that’s all that matters

Not so. Read: Rev. 2:2-4; I Cor. 13:1-7

6. It would be wrong to say others are wrong.

Not so. Read: I John 4:1; Rom. 16:17

7. Doctrine really does not matter to the Lord.

Not so. Read: II John 9; Rev. 2:15

8. There are many roads that lead to heaven.

Not so. Read: John 14:6; Rom. 1:16

9. No church can be 100% right.

Not so. Read: John 8:32; I Tim. 3:15

10. How one feels is all that matters.

Not so. Read: Matt. 7:21-23; Acts 19:1-5

Finding the church you read about in the Bible requires you to seek in order to find (Matt. 7:7).

                                                                                             Chuck 

What church would Christ attend?

Although the title’s question is hypothetical, our Lord is present when His followers gather to worship Him (Matt. 18:20). Moreover, we know that Christ dwells within the hearts of the faithful (Eph. 3:17). Knowing these things, the Scriptures provide enough information for us to answer the question.

If Jesus were to walk the face of this earth, where would He go to worship on Sunday? The answer can be found in Eph. 2:19, which describes God’s people as being part of a household. Christians belong to the family of God. When someone goes away on a trip and comes back, which family will he spend time with? That might seem like a silly question, but it will help us understand which church Jesus would worship with. Logically, He would spend time with His family and thus worship with His church.

Jesus said He was going to build His church (Matt. 16:18). This happened when He died on the cross and purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). When someone is covered by His blood and becomes a Christian, the Lord adds them to His body – the church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; Rev. 1:5). This is why Christ calls them His own special people (I Pet. 2:9).

If Jesus returned to earth, would He assemble with the church that He is the head of (Col. 1:18) or some manmade religious organization? The answer might seem obvious. But would Christ show His love by visiting every denomination? This is an interesting question.

This should cause us to ponder a few things. I expect that Christ would visit every religious sect. He would not visit to worship though – He would visit to correct and admonish, telling them they need to abide only in His doctrine (II John 9) and that there is only one gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). Consider Revelation chapters two and three – the deeds of every congregation were recognized, but they were not all praised.

Let us return to the original question; which church would Christ attend? It would be His. We should not expect Christ to choose to worship with us if we designed worship for our own preferences rather than for His (John 4:24). Furthermore, why would anyone think that Christ would gather where He is not recognized as the head? Paul called the faithful who gathered in certain cities as churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16) because they belong to Christ.

Would Christ be pleased and willing to worship at any place that called themselves a church that is Christ?  Not at all. Again, He may go there to rebuke and admonish them to repent, just as He did with the seven churches of Asia in Revelation chapters two and three. Five of those churches were told to repent or else their candlestick would be removed. Jesus could say these churches belong to Him!

Let me make this perfectly clear – Jesus is not coming back to live on the earth again. But He is coming back, and everyone will be judged (II Cor. 5:10). It will be at a time when not expected (II Pet. 3:9-10). It is therefore important to be found faithful. If Christ would not be found worshipping at a manmade church, why would He be pleased to find you at one?

People who claim it does not matter which church we go to should look to the Scriptures and see how Jesus addressed His church. Remember, there will be many in the last day who will think they are going to be received into heaven but will instead hear the Lord say, “I don’t know you” (Matt. 7:21-23). Which church will you belong to?

                                                                                              Chuck