Is The Church Of Christ A Denomination? (Part Three)

Introduction As we continue this study, we see that there are many in the world who participate in religious groups. We have shown that many in the Church of Christ are included in this division. But for true followers and those trying to be the ONE TRUE CHURCH that we read about in the Bible, We deny that this group is a denomination. Now, how do we show it to others. There are many ways to determine what is according to Scripture and what is not.

What Does God Call His Church? To answer such a question, we must go to the Bible and see what God called His church and the names or descriptions of the members of His church. Study need only be made of the terms used by God to designate both His kingdom/church and His followers that we read in the Bible: Any name, description used that is not found in the Bible is wrong. It is wrong to wear a name that is not found in the Bible.

Names/Descriptions Of The Church The true church was built by Christ. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said that He would build His Church. It is His church because He built it (Matthew 16:18). It is His church because He died for it (Acts 20:28). It is His church because He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28). It is His church because He loves it (Ephesians 5:25). It is His church because He Is the Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18).

It is His church because He is to have first place in all things to the church (Colossians 1:18). This church is referenced as being the body of Christ. It is referenced by individual congregations, It is referenced by a number of congregations in a region, It is referenced by a collective of all churches (Romans 16:16). It is sometimes call the church of God (Acts 20:28).

That is because God gave Christ the authority to be head of the church (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23). Some terms the Bible uses to describe the church as it relates the relationships involved. The Body with Christ as head. Many members, yet ONE body (Romans 12:4). The church is described as a kingdom. One with a ruler and subjects.

The church is described as a bride because of its purity. The church is described as a household (1 Timothy 3:15). The church is described as a building of God (Ephesians 2:21-22). The church is described as the temple of God (as in, where God dwells on earth)

Sometimes it is referred to as simply as “The church”. Mt 16:18-19; Col 1:13) The churches of God In Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 2:14) A bride (Ephesians 5:22ff; Revelation 19:7ff), God's church (1 Corinthians 1:2), The Way (Acts 9:2; 19:9; 19:23; 24:14)

The household of God (1 Timothy 3:15) A building of God (1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4ff) A temple of God and of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16) The church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23) A city of God (Hebrews 12:12:22; Revelation 3:12, 21:1ff) and there are more designations and names found in Scripture.

What Are The Members Called In The Bible? Members of Christ's church are called His brethren (Hebrews 2:12; Romans 8:29, 12:1), In the great commission Jesus instructed His apostles to go into all the world and make Disciples(students; learners) (Matthew 28:18) These disciples would become known as Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), These would be children of the kingdom (Matthew 13:38),

They would be known as children of the Father and sons, or sons of God and heirs of God (Romans 8:14; 1 John 3:1; Galatians 4:5-6) They are heirs of the promise and Abraham's seed (Galatians 3:29) They are THE faithful (Ephesians 1:1) They are also known as saints (Ephesians 1:1)

Considered “beloved” by Paul and other NT writers. The scripture speaks of Christians with many descriptive terms. Certainly these designations, in addition to the references from Ephesians, indicate the true nature of the church, or body, of Christ. It is not now, nor has it ever been, referred to as a denomination with divine approval.

Don’t The Denominations Do The Same? Don’t many of them consider themselves Christians? Of course they do. But what is a true Christian? One who obeys ALL that Jesus and His designated apostles gave us through the Bible. James 2 tells us one only has to be wrong in one point to be guilty of the law (James 2:10). They may have a scriptural name, but their practice and doctrine are different.

CONCLUSION To represent the church as a denomination, either willfully or ignorantly, is to misunderstand and/or misrepresent God and His inspired word. Let us strive to do our best to speak of the church in scriptural terms and refer to it using scriptural ideas (cf. 1 Peter 4:11). In doing so we bring glory to God who planned it, and to His Son who died for it. We will also help those around us, young and spiritually immature Christians, and the world as well, come to a better understanding of this glorious body.