THE IDENTITY OF THE CHURCH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, pt 2

Our article last week began with one part of a series of articles about the church of the New Testament. It is our intention to uphold the premise that the New Testament only pictures one church being established. That Jesus Christ is the head of only one church and that all other religious organizations are false and offer false hope.

Today we see that the church belongs to Jesus. Jesus is called the “head” of the body, which is the church.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

 Jesus built the church Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. And he purchased the church with His own blood. Acts 20:28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Here is why that matters. If He is the head of the church, then that means I am not and neither are you. Neither is a group of men. Not a body of Cardinals, Bishops, or Elders. Whatever organization these distinguished bodies may be the head over is not the church found in the New Testament.

Further, the church of the New Testament does not operate by man written creeds or articles of faith. The New Testament church does not have Synods, Councils, or boards. And its only charter is the New Testament.

Simply put we don’t get to decide what the church is and how it should operate, Jesus does! And He has. The church of the New Testament is governed by the New Testament alone.

This leads us to conclude that Jesus only has one church. I realize that may not be a popular statement to make today but Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18 Jesus did not say that he would build His churches (plural), but His church (singular).

Certainly, there are multiple congregations of the one church Romans 16:16...the churches of Christ greet you, there were many congregations in Ancient Rome. And there were many congregations in Galatia; Galatians 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

These were individual congregations. And there are many individual congregations today. But Christ has only one body Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;

The church of the New Testament has no official name it is simply the church. The church of the New Testament has several inspired descriptions. These descriptions most commonly identify the relationship that exists between the church and her LORD.

1.      Church of Christ - Romans 16:16 The churches of Christ greet you

2.      The Church of the First-Born - Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the first born...

3.      he Church of God - 2 Corinthians 1:2To the church of God which is at Corinth.

4.      The Church of the Living God - 1 Timothy 3:15...that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

5.      The Church at (city locations Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) - Revelation 2-3 The Seven churches of Asia Minor

6.      The Way - Acts19:9 But when some believe but spoke evil of the WAY.

7.      The Church Acts 2:47 - And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

There are likely other terms that describe the churches relationship to Jesus. The common theme among all these descriptions is that the Church belongs to Jesus. Whether describing His ownership, the city in which the congregation was located, or simply referring to Jesus’ Way, biblical descriptions focus on the relationship between the Church and Jesus Christ.

When there is only one of something it does not need a name to distinguish it from others of the same type. For example, there are different kinds of trees, so each has a particular name to distinguish it from other trees (palm, coconut, pine, etc.) When I tell you of a tree that is alone, I can say, “Go to the tree.”

However, in a forest, I must describe the tree to you so that you can distinguish it from others. When the church was established, there were no “other churches” and it did not need a name to separate it from false churches.

However, two thousand years later, Christians find themselves in a forest of religious division. How are we to call ourselves or the congregation we attend? The Lord’s church can be described (in advertisements, on signs, etc.) in any biblical way, but we must know, and the world must know that church of the New Testament is simply the church.

So, when we tell someone that we are a member of the “church of Christ”, please remember that this name is one meant to describe the congregation’s relationship with Jesus, and not a denominational affiliation.

If you have questions or concerns, or just would like to know more please contact us via the contact page on this site. We are thrilled to discuss scripture with you.