Perceptions for February 2006
What Is The church of Christ?
~Roger Johnson
The definitions of words and phrases are critical to good communication. It is often the case that words translated from one language to another lose something in the translation. An example of this is the explanation an American provided a foreign news correspondent regarding the fact that he
missed a plane that was hijacked after take-off. He told the reporter that he guessed the man upstairs was looking after him. The newsman
recounted the story with these words in his report: "The lucky American had an accomplice stationed on top of a nearby building who was able to
warn him of what was taking place so that he could avert getting on the plane."
Some brethren among us have used poor terminology with reference to their own identity. They have described themselves with such language as, "I ’m a church of Christ-er," or have referred to a minister of the gospel as a "
Church of Christ preacher." Even though one may do so innocently, such language places the Lord’s church in the position of being
one denomination among many. The identity of the Lord’s church is discovered by properly employing biblical teaching to the research.
Reflect on the negative parameters. The Lord’s church is not a material building composed of brick and mortar
(Acts 17:24-25; 1 Peter 2:5). The church is not an extension of Old Testament practices. Jesus’ death on the cross took away the old law
and established the new covenant (Galatians 3:22-25; Colossians 2:14). Neither is the Lord’s church a denominational part of the whole of
Christianity; that is, it is not a fragmented part of the whole. The church of our Lord IS Christianity (1
Corinthians 1:10-13). Jesus promised to build only one church (Matthew 16:18) and only one was constructed (Ephesians 4:4; 1:22-23). The
various denominations that have arisen over the years are the result of man’s efforts, not God’s!
Examine the biblical comparisons that are made. The church is described as a body
(Colossians 1:18). Christ is the head of the body and all members are subject to Him (Ephesians 5:23). Within the body there is diversity (1
Corinthians 12:4-6) as well as coordination (1 Corinthians 12:15-17). Likewise, members of the body have a mutual concern for each other (1
Corinthians 12:25). The church is called a family(1 Timothy 3:15). Since the church is God’s house, is it possible for one to be a child of God and not be in His church? To ask the question is but to answer it. Furthermore, the church is
described as the bride of Christ(Romans 7:1-4; 2 Corinthians 11:1-2). Do you suppose Christ would be married to more than one bride? If denominationalism were true, wouldn’t He be guilty of spiritual adultery? Perish the thought! The church is also described as a kingdom. The synonymous use of the terms churchand kingdom prove this (Matthew 16:18-19). Jesus said His kingdom would be established in the lifetime of the generation
contemporary with Him (Mark 9:1). In the early 60’s A.D. Paul wrote that he was in the kingdom (Colossians 1:13). All who presently obey
the same gospel Paul obeyed can likewise be in the same kingdom of which he was a part. Hence, the kingdom is not something yet to be established as
advocated by pre-millennialists, but is now in existence. The church is called the flock of God (1 Peter 5:2).
In his touching speech with the elders of the Ephesian congregation, Paul stated that the church (God’s flock) was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). Here’s a question for consideration: Can the blood of Jesus save one without being a part of the group His saving blood
purchased?
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