“The Churches of Christ”

When one reads the New Testament, it isn’t long before he comes across the term “church.”  The literal meaning of the word in the original language is a “called out assembly.”  Jesus used it in reference to the global association of those who believe in Him as the son of God (Matthew 16:18).  It’s also used regarding a group of believers in a specific place (e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:2 − “the church of God in Corinth) or a group of local churches in an area − “the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2).

It is important to note that the term “church” is never used in scripture to refer to people of different, God-approved “faiths.”  Paul wrote there is one faith (Ephesians 4:5) held by those in the one body (verse 4), a term used synonymously with church (Romans 12:5; I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18).  In spite of this clear teaching about the oneness, or unity, of the faith of believers in Christ and the unity of the body (church), there are literally hundreds of groups, large and small, teaching different things about Jesus and the things He wants us to believe and practice.  This includes differences in belief and application among those in our own immediate fellowship.

In view of this divisiveness among those who claim to be following Jesus, it is important to understand a few things regarding “the church of Christ.”

Ø The church is made up of those who are saved from their sins through obedient faith in Jesus.  Paul addressed Christians at Corinth as “...the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ − their Lord and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2; Note Hebrews 12:23).

Ø The expression “church(es) of Christ” is not a NAME God wants His people to wear; it is simply a designation used by Paul, referring to local assemblies of Christians sending their regards to Christians in Rome.  Christians are not “Church-of-Christers,” and I am not a “Church of Christ” any more than I’m a Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian.  We are to be Christians, pure and simple.

Ø Add to the previous fact that other terms referring to the collective people of God are found in scripture: e.g., “church of God” and, most frequently, “church.”  To single out any one term and use it exclusively as the designation for God’s own is to denominationalize that term.

Ø The church of Christ isn't a denomination or sect of a larger body of religious people known as Christians.  Although this is the way many, including some in our fellowship, think of her, the church of Christ spoken of in scripture (and that is all we should be) is under the command of Christ to be a united body of believers.  Scripture knows only one church of believers in Christ, not many.  Recognizing this doesn’t mean we should be filled with personal pride; rather we should be grateful that God gave His blood to purchase His church (Acts 20:28) and calls men − all men − to be part of it.

There is more to be said on this topic, hopefully at a later date.  Please think seriously about the Biblical teaching about the nature of the people of God. Larry Sheehy

Statesboro, Georgia