"WHAT IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST?"
INTRODUCTION
1. Occasionally I am asked questions like these...
a. "Are you Church of Christ?"
b. "Are you a Church of Christ preacher?"
c. "Are you a member of the Church of Christ?"
2. Rarely do I reply without some hesitation...
a. Not that I wish to be evasive
b. But the inquiry comes from a mindset that precludes an easy answer
c. If I offer a simple response, the inquirer will likely be left
with the wrong impression
3. The difficulty revolves around this question, "What is the Church of
Christ?"...
a. The phrase "Church of Christ" means different things to different
people
b. The term "Church of Christ" must be understood alike to avoid
misunderstanding
[To illustrate the challenge we face in talking to others about the
"Church of Christ", let's review three different "views"...]
I. THE DENOMINATIONAL VIEW
A. EXPLANATION OF THIS VIEW...
1. The Church of Christ is made up of those churches with the name
"Church of Christ"
2. The "Church of Christ" (as such) is but one denomination among
many
3. Together with other denominations, they constitute the
universal church, the Body of Christ
B. THOSE WHO MAY HOLD THIS VIEW...
1. Those in other denominations
a. E.g., Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, etc.
b. Understandably so, because of their denominational mindset
in which they view their own
"church" (denomination) as but a part of the Body of Christ
2. Many in the "mainstream" churches of Christ
a. I.e., the majority of congregations with the name "Church of
Christ"
b. Especially members who came from denominations
1) Bringing their denominational mindset with them
2) Perhaps thinking they simply left one denomination for a
"better" one
c. Including liberal preachers and elders in such congregations
1) Perhaps reacting against a "sectarian" view (see below)
held in the past
2) Perhaps weary of trying to maintain an nondenominational
view of the church
[In a religious environment where denominationalism is presumed to be
the only option, most people have a denominational view of the Church of
Christ which is reflected in their questions. There is another view
that some may have...]
II. THE SECTARIAN VIEW
A. EXPLANATION OF THIS VIEW...
1. The Church of Christ is made up only of those churches with the
name "Church of Christ"
2. Those churches constitute the one, true church, the Body of
Christ
3. People in any other congregations cannot possibly be members of
the Body of Christ
B. THOSE WHO MAY HOLD THIS VIEW...
1. Many in "mainstream" churches of Christ
a. Especially those viewing "Church of Christ" as the official
name for the Lord's church
b. Evidenced by their exclusive use of the expression "Church
of Christ"
2. Many in "non-mainstream" churches of Christ
a. Including some who often identify themselves on the basis of
one issue
1) Who tend to judge a congregation's faithfulness on the
basis of a particular issue
2) E.g., if it is "non-institutional" (opposing church
support of human institutions), then it must be a
faithful congregation
3) E.g., if it is "mutual edification" (opposing located
preachers), then it must be faithful
b. In particular those who identify themselves "International
Church of Christ"
1) Who demand allegiance to one head church, formerly
located in Boston
2) Who view any church that refuses allegiance to be
"apostate"
[This view is often held by those trying to maintain a nondenominational
view of the Church of Christ, yet react to one extreme by going to the
opposite. Then there is what I will term...]
III. THE BIBLICAL VIEW
A. EXPLANATION OF THIS VIEW...
1. There is the Church of Christ in the "universal" sense
a. Composed of all Christians
1) The church to which Jesus referred in Mt 16:18
2) Made up all the saved, both living and dead - cf. He
12:22-24
b. There is just one
1) The universal church is called the "body" of Christ - Ep
1:22-23
2) There is only one "body" (Ep 4:4); therefore, only one
church!
c. Began on the Day of Pentecost
1) In Jerusalem, following the death, resurrection and
ascension of Christ - Ac 2:1-47
2) As Peter later referred to this day, it was the
"beginning" - cf. Ac 11:15
d. Enter only by being added by the Lord
1) One cannot "join" the church by their own volition
2) Rather, they are "added" by the Lord Himself when saved
- Ac 2:41,47
e. The Lord keeps the books of membership
1) There is no agency on earth that keeps the registry of
true members
2) Enrollment is in heaven; only the Lord knows those who
are truly His - He 12:23; 2Ti 2:19
f. Consists of all the saved
1) The Lord is presenting to Himself a church holy and
without blemish - cf. Ep 5:25-27
2) Those in the church who are sinning and refuse to repent
are "cut off", "cast out", "spewed out" - cf. Jn 15:2,6;
Ro 11:19-22; Re 3:16
g. Must be in this to be saved
1) For the Lord is the Savior of the "body" (which is His
church) - Ep 5:23
2) Since the Lord adds one to His church when they are
saved, one cannot be saved and not be in the church
universal!
h. Has no earthly organization
1) The church universal has organization - cf. Ep 2:19-22;
1Pe 2:5
a) What organization exists is spiritual in nature
b) E.g., Christ as the cornerstone, together with His
apostles and prophets as the foundation, and all
Christians as "living stones"
2) There is no earthly headquarters for the church
a) E.g., no telephone number to call to speak with the
"head" of the church
b) For the Head and His headquarters are in heaven!
i. Can't be divided
1) For there is no earthly organization to divide!
2) If division appears to exist...
a) Some unscriptural organization of churches must have
been created
b) Such organizations can have division, but not the
Lord's church universal!
3) Those who would seek to divide the church through
doctrine, conduct, etc., are simply cut off by the Lord
Himself!
4) There is and always will be, "one body"! - Ep 4:4 (we
need to make sure we are remaining faithful to be in it!)
j. Death doesn't affect membership
1) The church universal is made up of the saved, both living
and dead - He 12:22-23
2) When one dies, they are still with Christ! - Php 1:21-23;
1Th 5:10
k. Does not have one official name
1) No one exclusive name or term is used to describe the
universal church
2) Various terms used include church of God, body, kingdom,
etc.- 1Co 10:32; Ep 1:22-23; Col 1:13
2. There are churches of Christ in the "local" sense
a. Composed of Christians in one location
1) A local church is made up of Christians in one
geographical area
2) E.g., the church at Corinth, the church of the
Thessalonians - 1Co 1:2; 1Th 1:1
-- In contrast, the church universal is made up of
Christians everywhere!
b. There are many churches
1) Paul had reference to local churches when he wrote Ro
16:16
2) And again when he wrote Ga 1:2
-- When it comes to the church universal, though, there is
just one!
c. Begins wherever people join together
1) As the gospel spreads and people respond to it, those in
a particular area start a local church when they agree to
work together as one
2) Just as the church in Antioch began later than the church
in Jerusalem - Ac 11:19-26
-- Whereas the church universal began in Jerusalem on
Pentecost, local churches have begun at different places
and different times!
d. Enter by joining ourselves
1) When one wishes to become an accepted member of the local
church, they must "join themselves" to that church
2) Such as Paul sought to do when he came to the church in
Jerusalem - Ac 9:26-28
-- Whereas one is "added" by the Lord Himself to the
universal church, we can seek to "join" a local
congregation (if its members are willing to accept us)
e. Enrolled by human judgment
1) Whether we are accepted into a local church is a decision
made by the leaders or members of that church
2) Sometimes people are rejected when they should be
received - 3Jn 5-9
-- Evil men may succeed in kicking one out of a local
church, but only the Lord determines who stays in the
universal church!
f. Consists of both saved and lost
1) Since enrollment occurs through human judgment, fallible
decisions can be made
2) A local church may therefore have some who are nominal
Christians - cf. Re 3:1-4
-- Hypocrites may become members of a local church; but they
don't sneak by the Lord to become members of the
universal church!
g. Do not have to be in this to be saved
1) One can be saved, and not belong to any local church
2) Such was the case of the Eunuch immediately following his
conversion, and of Paul when he was in transit between
Antioch and Jerusalem - cf. Ac 8:39; 9:26
-- Of course, this should be temporary; in the universal
church, it is impossible!
h. Has earthly organization
1) A local church when scripturally organized will have
bishops and deacons - Php 1:1
2) These bishops were also called "elders" and "pastors",
whose role was to oversee and feed the local congregation
- Ac 14:23; 20:17,28
-- The only role or position ever given men over the
universal church on earth was the apostles and they were
not replaced when they died - e.g., James in Ac 12:2
i. Can be divided
1) Local churches can easily be divided over doctrine or
personalities
2) Such was the case with the church at Corinth - 1Co 1:
10-13; 3:3,4
-- While we can't divide the universal church, we can be
responsible for dividing local churches!
j. Death does affect membership
1) When we die, our membership in a local congregation ends
2) When Stephen died, he was no longer a member of the
Jerusalem church - Ac 8:1-2
-- But our membership in the church universal continues on
after death!
k. May use different scriptural names
a. Showing relationship to God or Christ - 1Co 1:2; Ro
16:16
b. Identifying the location of the members - 1Th 1:1; 2 Th
1:2
-- There is no one official name, but we should use
scriptural names!
B. THOSE WHO MAY HOLD THIS VIEW...
1. Many in "mainstream" churches of Christ
a. Though there is a definite trend toward denominationalism
(cf. Reviving The Ancient Faith, The Story of Churches of
Christ in America, Richard T. Hughes, p. 4)
b. There are those who still call for nondenominational
Christianity
2. Many in "non-mainstream" churches of Christ
a. Especially those who often identify themselves as
"non-institutional"
b. Who oppose that which leads to denominationalism
1) Such as church support of human institutions
2) Such as sponsoring church arrangements where one church
oversees the work of others
3. Many in churches unknown by others in churches of Christ
a. Who may wear other scriptural names (e.g., Church of God?)
b. Yet hold true to the apostles' doctrine revealed in the New
Testament
c. But known and recognized by the Lord as belonging to Him
4. Many in churches that may not be true in other respects
a. Who may have a correct view of church origin and
organization
b. But who may remain ignorant or in error regarding church
worship, work, etc.
CONCLUSION
1. What is the Church of Christ? As I understand and use the phrase...
a. It is not a denomination among other denominations
b. It is not some sect identified by one exclusive name
-- It is the Lord's church, as defined and revealed in the New
Testament
2. The Lord's church is thus spoken of in the Bible primarily in two
ways...
The Church "Universal" The Church "Local"
Composed of all Christians Composed of Christians in one
location
There is just one There are many
Began on the Day of Pentecost Begins when people join together
Enter only by being added by the Enter by joining ourselves
Lord
The Lord keeps the books of Enrolled by human judgment
membership
Consists of all the saved Consists of both saved and lost
Must be in this to be saved Do not have to be in this to be
saved
Has no earthly organization Has earthly organization
Can't be divided Can be divided
Death doesn't affect membership Death does affect membership
Does not have one scriptural May use different scriptural
name names
3. Properly understood, the Church of Christ is...
a. The one Body of Christ, the church - Ep 4:4; cf. 1:22-23
b. Made up of disciples, called Christians - Ac 11:26; 1Co 12:27
c. Who work and worship together in local churches - Ro 16:16
d. Abiding in the apostles' doctrine - Ac 2:42; cf. 1Co 4:17
e. Honoring Jesus' prayer for unity - Jn 17:20-21
f. Deploring religious division in all its forms, including
denominationalism - 1Co 1:10-13
4. So in response to our original questions...
a. "Are you Church of Christ?"
b. "Are you a Church of Christ preacher?"
c. "Are you a member of the Church of Christ?"
5. I would likely respond...
a. "I am not 'Church of Christ', as that reflects a denominational
concept."
b. "I am a preacher of the gospel of Christ, an evangelist."
c. "I am a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, and member of His
body, the church you read about in the New Testament."
d. "I work and worship with a nondenominational congregation of
Christians, known as the Fortune Road Church of Christ in
Kissimmee, Florida."
I strive to serve and follow Jesus without denominationalism. In view
of His prayer for unity (Jn 17:20-21), and Paul's condemnation of
religious division (1Co 1:10-13), I pray that you will too...
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