What Is TheWhat Is TheChurch Of ChristChurch Of Christ

Some concluding thoughts on our Some concluding thoughts on our series.series.

What is the Church of Christ?What is the Church of Christ?

As I understand and use the phrase... As I understand and use the phrase... It is not a denomination among other It is not a denomination among other

denominations denominations It is not some sect identified by one It is not some sect identified by one

exclusive name exclusive name It is the Lord's church, as defined and It is the Lord's church, as defined and

revealed in the New Testamentrevealed in the New Testament

The Lord's church is thus spoken of The Lord's church is thus spoken of in the Bible primarily in two ways...in the Bible primarily in two ways...

The Church "Universal"The Church "Universal" Composed of all Christians Composed of all Christians

There is just one There is just one Began on the Day of Pentecost Began on the Day of Pentecost Enter only by being added by Enter only by being added by

the Lord. the Lord. The Lord keeps the books of The Lord keeps the books of

members.members. Consists of all the saved Consists of all the saved Must be in this to be saved Must be in this to be saved Has no earthly organizationHas no earthly organization Can't be divided Can't be divided Death doesn't affect Death doesn't affect

membership membership Does not have one scriptural Does not have one scriptural

name.name.

The Church "Local“The Church "Local“ Composed of Christians in one Composed of Christians in one

locationlocation There are manyThere are many Begins when people join Begins when people join

togethertogether Enter by joining ourselvesEnter by joining ourselves Enrolled by human judgment Enrolled by human judgment

membershipmembership Consists of both saved and lostConsists of both saved and lost Do not have to be in this to be Do not have to be in this to be

savedsaved Has earthly organizationHas earthly organization Can be dividedCan be divided Death does affect membershipDeath does affect membership May use different scriptural May use different scriptural

name.name.

Properly understood, the Church of Properly understood, the Church of Christ is...Christ is...

The one Body of Christ, the church - The one Body of Christ, the church - Ephesians 4:4;Ephesians 4:4; cf. cf. 1:22-23 1:22-23

Made up of disciples, called Christians - Made up of disciples, called Christians - Acts 11:26; 1 Acts 11:26; 1 Corinthians 12:27 Corinthians 12:27

Who work and worship together in local churches - Who work and worship together in local churches - Romans 16:16 Romans 16:16

Abiding in the apostles' doctrine - Abiding in the apostles' doctrine - Acts 2:42;Acts 2:42; cf. cf. 1 1 Corinthians 4:17 Corinthians 4:17

Honoring Jesus' prayer for unity - Honoring Jesus' prayer for unity - John 17:20-21 John 17:20-21 Deploring religious division in all its forms, including Deploring religious division in all its forms, including

denominationalism - denominationalism - 1 Corinthians 1:10-131 Corinthians 1:10-13

Questions We Sometimes Are Questions We Sometimes Are AskedAsked

"Are you Church of Christ?" "Are you Church of Christ?" "Are you a Church of Christ preacher?" "Are you a Church of Christ preacher?" "Are you a member of the Church of Christ?" "Are you a member of the Church of Christ?" We should respond... We should respond... "I am not 'Church of Christ', as that reflects a "I am not 'Church of Christ', as that reflects a

denominational concept." denominational concept." "I am a preacher of the gospel of Christ, an "I am a preacher of the gospel of Christ, an

evangelist." evangelist." "I am a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, and "I am a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, and

member of His body, the church you read about member of His body, the church you read about in the New Testament."in the New Testament."

DenominationalismDenominationalism

Is wrong because:Is wrong because: It is against the Bible teaching of unity.It is against the Bible teaching of unity. It is against the Bible in doctrines.It is against the Bible in doctrines. It is against the Bible in practices.It is against the Bible in practices. Participation in it is against God’s will.Participation in it is against God’s will.

History of DenominationalismHistory of Denominationalism

The apostasy of the early church.The apostasy of the early church. AD 606. Bishop of Rome claims world AD 606. Bishop of Rome claims world

headship of the church.headship of the church. AD 14-1500’sAD 14-1500’s The age of enlightenment because the The age of enlightenment because the

scriptures given to the common man.scriptures given to the common man. Printing press.Printing press.

History of DenominationalismHistory of Denominationalism

Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, and others tried to reform the church.and others tried to reform the church.

That failed so they pulled away from it.That failed so they pulled away from it. King of England started his own church.King of England started his own church. Episcopalian and Presbyterian grew out of Episcopalian and Presbyterian grew out of

the Anglican church of England.the Anglican church of England. Many continued pulling away from Many continued pulling away from

Catholic church, and started many Catholic church, and started many churches and doctrines.churches and doctrines.

How did we get to the How did we get to the Church of Christ?Church of Christ?

After the reformers failed, and started their After the reformers failed, and started their own groups, own groups,

Some people started the idea that one Some people started the idea that one could follow the Bible only and it would could follow the Bible only and it would produce a Christian only, and not produce a Christian only, and not something else.something else.

Many worked toward this concept and our Many worked toward this concept and our faith heritage emerged.faith heritage emerged.

The Church of ChristThe Church of Christ

Since our group came out of Since our group came out of denominationalism, why do we not denominationalism, why do we not consider ourselves such?consider ourselves such?

The principle of procreation is found here.The principle of procreation is found here. Since plants and animals bear after their Since plants and animals bear after their

kind, if we follow the pattern found in the kind, if we follow the pattern found in the Bible, we will produce true NT Christians.Bible, we will produce true NT Christians.

ConclusionConclusion

““We work and worship with a nondenominational We work and worship with a nondenominational congregation of Christians, known as the congregation of Christians, known as the Eastside Church of Christ in Ranger, Texas." Eastside Church of Christ in Ranger, Texas."

I strive to serve and follow Jesus without I strive to serve and follow Jesus without denominationalism. denominationalism.

In view of His prayer for unity (In view of His prayer for unity (John 17:20-21John 17:20-21), ), and Paul's condemnation of religious division (and Paul's condemnation of religious division (1 1 Corinthians 1:10-13Corinthians 1:10-13), ),

I pray that you will too... I pray that you will too...