The Church of Christ…
The expression "church of Christ" is a descriptive term of possession.
"Church" is a collective noun (like "flock" or "family") which is composed
Of saved souls (Christians, the "called out" ones, Acts 2:41, 47).
"Church of Christ" is used to signify the church which belongs to Christ.
As such, we emphatically state that the church of Christ is not a denomination.
While many promote the advantages of "the church of your choice,"
Jesus' urgent prayer to the Father was for the unity of His believers,
Not their division into religious sects (Jn. 17:20-21).
Denominationalism is the essence of religious division.
We plead for the unity of believers with the truth of Jesus as the basis for
That unity (Eph. 4:3-6; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Others would promote the notion that the church is not important…
Christ is. Yes, Christ is preeminently important (Col. 1:18).
But, we must also acknowledge the importance of His church.
The one does not negate the other. The importance of Christ's church is
Brought into focus by accepting the following facts about His church…
1) It belongs to Jesus, not man. (Mt. 16:18)
Jesus built it. It is His. Man should not construct rivals to it.
2) Jesus purchased His church with His blood. (Acts 20:28)
This is the value Jesus attaches to the saved, His church.
3) Jesus is the Head of the church of Christ. (Col. 1:18)
Since it is His, He exercises supreme authority over it.
That is how valuable it is to Him.
4) The church of Christ is the Body of Christ. (Eph. 1:22-23)
Who wants to believe for a moment that Christ's body of
Believers is insignificant?
5) Jesus is its Savior. (Eph. 5:23)
That is how important the church is to Jesus!
How important is the church of Christ to you?
- Joe R. Price
***
The Church of Christ…
1. The Bible is its only guide …
(Romans.1:16; 1Thessalonians.2:13).
2. Wears a Biblical name …
(Romans.16:16).
3. Established at the right place …
(Isaiah.2:2, 3; Acts 2).
4. Established at the right time …
(Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2).
5. Established on the right person …
(Matthew16:18; Acts 2:36)
6. Saved are in it …
(Ephesians 5:23; Acts 2:47).
7. Its members are enrolled in Heaven...
(Hebrews12:23).
8. Membership in it is obtained by obedience
to God’s commands including baptism …
(Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians12:13).
***
Is my name written there,
On the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom,
Is my name written there?
- Mary A. Kidder, Frank M. Davis
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