THE IDENTITY OF THE CHURCH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, pt 3

Today we conclude the three-part article on the Identity of the church of the New Testament.  We begin by noticing that the church is not to be divided.

The modern religious world is full of denominationalism; the idea that the biblical “church” is actually segmented and divided into several smaller denominations who believe and practice differently. In other words, denominationalists believe the church is like a pie and each denomination is but a slice of that pie. However, nothing could be further from God’s design!

Jude said that those who cause divisions are “worldly people, devoid of the Spirit” Jude 1:19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the spirit.

 Paul said the Christians in Corinth were “people of the flesh” because there were divisions among them according to which preacher each group followed 1 Corinthians 3:1-4  And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to infants in Christ.  (2)  I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are still not able,  (3)  for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?  (4)  For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?  1 Corinthians 1 is a treatise against the practice of partyism in the church of the New Testament.

So, we ask this question, “Is the “church of Christ” a Denomination?” Many people say yes. Many brethren treat the LORD’s church as if it is a denomination. The reality is that we meet in buildings or homes with signs out front that say something along the lines of, “The church of Christ meets here”. There are thousands of these meetings spread throughout the world and the groups of people meeting in them are collectively known as the “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16 ...the churches of Christ greet you). There is a lot of confusion about the identity of this group. Many outside and inside of this group wonder, “Is the church of Christ a denomination?”

But what is a Denomination? Let us also be fair to one another and not misrepresent or slander those who believe differently than what the Bible teaches! Luke 6:31 “And treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”

A denomination is a religious organization who considers themselves to be a “branch of Christ’s Church”, or the church of the Bible.

 In other words, and to be more specific, the Baptist Church considers itself to be a “branch” of “Christ’s Church.” Such a belief is often taken from incorrect view of the following two passages:

John 15:1-4 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-grower.  (2) “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He cleans it so that it may bear more fruit.  (3) “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  (4) “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit from itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.

and

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.  (13)  For also by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.  (14)  For also the body is not one member, but many.  (15)  If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  (16)  And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  (17) If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?  (18)  But now God has appointed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.  (19) And if they were all one member, where would the body be?  (20) But now there are many members, but one body.  (21)  And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  (22)  On the contrary, how much more is it that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary,  (23)  and those members of the body which we think as less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,  (24)  whereas our more presentable members have no such need. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, (25)  so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  (26) And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.  (27)  Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.  (28)  And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.  (29)  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?  (30) Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all translate?  (31) But you earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I will yet show you a more excellent way.

This view is that the various denomination are the different body parts of Christ. Typically, no true denomination considers itself to be the church of the Bible, only a division or part of the biblical church.

 Equally, each denomination must acknowledge the fact that some (if not all) other denominations are also divisions of the true church. Therefore, what makes a man a Catholic, Baptist, or Methodist does not make him a Christian; and what makes a man a Christian does not make him a member of a denomination.

This is not said to be derogatory.  It is simply said to point out the fact that nearly all other denominations teach that becoming a member of their denomination is done separately from becoming a Christian. Almost all denominations agree that one can be a Christian without being a member of their particular denomination.

So back to the original question: “Is the “Church of Christ” a Denomination?”

 And the answer is “no.” A man becomes a member of the church of Christ as soon as he becomes a Christian.  He becomes a member of the church of Christ because the Lord adds Him to His church (Acts 2:47)!

In other words, the church of Christ is not a group you decide to “join” after you become a Christian. You cannot join the church of Christ. If you are a Christian, you have been added to the church of Christ! All Christians should believers everywhere to step away from the division caused by denominationalism and join the body of Christ.

There is no need to take on denominational ways as salvation is found through Christ alone.

The biblical church, the one that every denomination claims to be a part of in their own way, is the church that Jesus built. It is the church that Jesus died for. This church of Christ is what all Christians are added into by God when they obey the gospel. Therefore, the church of Christ is not a denomination, it is simply the body of Christ!

The accusation is frequently thrown about, “the church of Christ thinks they’re the only ones going to heaven.” So, is that true? Is it the position of those in the churches of Christ that we are an elite club that selfishly wants to keep all believers out but ourselves? We must confess the fact that we are not the just judge of all the earth. Therefore, if our Holy God allows people into his heaven who are not a member of the church we have nothing to say about the matter. Further, I would not presume to know what every member of the church believes on any matter, but I will tell you what the Bible teaches about the church:

Only those who are faithful Christians are going to heaven John 14:6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me. Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

When one becomes a Christian, he is at that point added by the Lord to the church of Christ Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

If Christians remain faithful, they will spend eternity in heaven 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; Revelation 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation then days. 

Certainly, the building in which Christian’s meet does not have to be labeled, “Church of Christ” for the group meeting in it to be Christians. Nor does the fact that the building says, “Church of Christ” guarantee that the group meeting there is actually following God’s word.

Whether or not a believer (or a group of believers) is a member of the church of Christ is determined, not by the sign above the door, but by whether or not there is submission to Christ and His word.

I am not, nor is anyone I know, perfectly following Christ and His word. (I sincerely do the best I know but am sure there are shortfalls.)  I am just thankful to be washed in His blood and receiving His grace and mercy. That is why I will not wear the name of a man or the name of a religious idea! I will simply wear the name of Christ. He is the one who died for me and purchased me with His blood. That is why I will simply be a Christian and belong to His church.

Most of those who proudly write upon their meeting house signs, “The church of Christ meets here” are simply proclaiming, “Those who are just Christians meet here!” We are those who have met together, all over the world, for centuries. We are those who are refusing to wear the names, or adopt the doctrines, of men. We are those who just want to be, and plead with others to be, Christians–followers of Jesus Christ!

The church of Christ is “non-denominational” in the truest sense of the term.  In fact, we were nondenominational before it was cool to be nondenominational. Some brethren have taken to using the term “pre-denominational.”

Denominationalism condones, and even celebrates, division. That is not Christ’s goal for His church (1 Corinthians 3). Christ has but ONE body (Ephesians 4:4) and it is to be unified (Ephesians 4:3).

If we are to do away with the divisiveness of denominationalism, we must lay down our man-made traditions, titles, and creeds and be Christians only! This is the identity of the church. May God bless you in the continued study of His word!