By Mark Lindley
What does one mean when he says, “I am a member of the church of Christ?” Many who are not members of the church of Christ believe that when one makes such a statement, he is claiming membership in a denomination. In fact, many sincere, religious people believe that all churches are basically the same, because they feel that all are denominations. Please understand, however, that those who claim membership in the church of Christ are not claiming to be members of a denomination. We, members of the church of Christ, feel that it is extremely important that others understand us. Dear reader, this tract is written to clear any misunderstandings there might be concerning the church of Christ. Please read carefully the material presented here.
The Church of Christ is Not a Denomination
On the occasion of Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised to build His church. He said, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Note that Jesus promised to build “a” church. Acts 2:47 reveals that the church promised by Christ was built: “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” To which church were the saved added? Obviously, they were added to the Lord’s church, the church of (the one belonging to) Christ. Therefore, there was a church which existed in the first century which belonged to the Lord, and that church was not a denomination.
Now since it was possible to be a member of the Lord’s church, the church of Christ, in the first century without joining any denomination, why would such not be possible today? The Scriptures teach that it is possible to be a member of the Lord’s church without being a member of any denomination. So when one says, “I am a member of the church of Christ,” he is not saying that he is a member of a denomination; rather, he is saying that he is a member of the church Jesus built””the one that is found in the New Testament.
The truth is, there were no denominations in the first century; there was only the Lord’s church. In denominationalism there are scores of churches, but in the Bible there is only one church. Paul wrote, “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:4). The body is identified in Ephesians 1:22-23: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (emp. Mine ML). There is one body, and the body is the church. Therefore, there is one church. Consider this illustration. If there were one animal in the field and that animal were a mule, how many mules would there be in the field? Very obviously, the answer is “one.” By this same logic, the Scriptures teach that there is one body and that body is the church. So, according to God’s inspired Word, there is only one church. Again, when I say, “I am a member of the church of Christ,” I am referring to that one church of the New Testament.
Additionally, the position that all the denominations make up the one church of Christ will not stand in the light of God’s Word. Each denomination comes with its own set of doctrines, and many denominational doctrines contradict one another. But the Lord’s church is to be united doctrinally. Paul wrote, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Since the Lord’s church, the church of Christ, is to be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgment” and the denominational world is fractured and divided, then, the denominations do not comprise the true church of Christ.
Furthermore, that Christ’s church existed in the first century before there were any denominations, proves that the Lord’s church is not made up of denominations (Acts 2:47). Simply put, the Lord’s church could not be a conglomeration of denominations, because His church was built before there were any denominations!
Church of Christ defined
The church of Christ is not a denomination, but what is it? The word church simply means, “the called out.” The term is used in the New Testament to refer to the people who have been “called out” of the world into a relationship with Christ. God calls us by the Gospel, for Paul wrote, “Whereunto he called you by our gospel” (2 Thessalonians 2:14). Those who hear and obey the Gospel are “delivered from the power of darkness” and are “translated into the kingdom (the church)” of Christ (Colossians 1:13). This means that those who are in the church of Christ have been delivered from sin and have entered into a spiritual relationship with Christ. This is why it is so important to be a member of the Lord’s church””those of the church have been “called out” of sin and into Christ. Can one be saved outside the church which Jesus built, the church of the New Testament, the church of Christ? What does the Bible say? Paul wrote, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body: (Ephesians 5:23). It is clear from this verse that Christ is the Savior of the body, and, remember, the body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Thus, since Jesus saves the body and the body is the church, one must be in the church to be saved! Another way of saying this is that when one is saved, the Lord adds him to the church (Acts 2:47). So the church is made up of those who have been saved from sin.
Requirements for Entering the Church of Christ
The church of Christ today requires nothing more or less to be a member of the church than what was required in the first century. On the day of Pentecost, the day the Lord’s church began, sinners asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter then told the people to “repent and be baptized”¦for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Acts 2:41 confirms that about 3,000 were baptized, and verse 47 shows that they were “added” to the church. The same process by which sinners were saved is the very process by which they became members of Christ’s church. It should also be noted that the New Testament nowhere authorizes voting to see if one can become a member of the church. Voting on church membership did not originate with God, but with man. The New Testament teaches that when one hears the Gospel (Romans 10:17), believes the Gospel (Acts 15:7), repents of sins (Acts 2:38), confesses faith in Christ (Romans 10:10), and is baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 22:16) he is added to the Lord’s church. This does not make one a member of a denomination; this makes one a member of the church of Christ!
What to Do After Becoming a Member of the Church of Christ
When one becomes a member of the Lord’s church, he has only begun the Christian life. He is then to begin growing in Christ. Peter wrote, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). The New Testament, the sole authority for the Lord’s church, teaches that members of Christ’s church are to worship (John 4:24). It is for this reason that churches of Christ meet every first day of the week to sing (Ephesians 5:19), partake of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-29), give (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), pray (Acts 2:42), and to study God’s Word (Acts 20:7). For one to forsake worship is a clear violation of Scripture: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
Members of the Lord’s church are also to evangelize. Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20). This passage shows that one must be taught how to become a Christian. Therefore, those who are members of Christ’s church have the privilege and responsibility to share the Gospel with others.
The word faithful summarizes all that one should do who becomes a member of the Lord’s church. Jesus said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Faithfulness involves worshipping, studying, growing, evangelizing, etc. Those who are faithful are promised “a crown of life.” This means that the faithful will enjoy eternal life in heaven. Certainly, this is motivation to live a faithful Christian life.
Dear reader, are you a member of the Lord’s church? I am not asking whether you have joined a denomination. Are you a member of the true church, the one that was built by Christ? If not, you are encouraged to obey the Gospel that the Lord might add you to His church. Then, if you will be faithful to the Lord, heaven will be your eternal home!