Articles
IS THE CHURCH BUILT BY JESUS A DENOMINATION?
IS THE CHURCH BUILT BY JESUS A DENOMINATION?
(By Samuel Matthews)
The King James Version of God's Holy Word, the Bible, says, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).
Loved ones, the answer to our subject question is a resounding NO! The "churches of Christ" that you read about in the New Testament (Romans 16:16) are NOT a denomination. Neither are we inter-denominational. In truth, we are pre-denominational. It is our sincere desire to be non-denominational, to simply be known as Christians (Acts 11:26), members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4). Collectively, we refer to ourselves as the church, the body, the church of Christ, the body of Christ, the Lord's church, the church of God, or other biblical designations (Acts 2:47; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 12:27).
Our emphasis is spiritual. We meet together as the Lord's family here on earth (cf. Ephesians 3:15) for the specific purposes of worshiping God, studying His word, and encouraging one another (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Hebrews 10:22-25). As individual Christians we seek each other's association socially (Galatians 6:10); however, the church is NOT a social club, so the Lord's treasury is NOT used to promote social functions. Our aim is spiritual (1 Peter 2:1-5; Romans 12:1-2).
We strive to be the same church described in the New Testament. It is our purpose to be identified with the Christians of the first century. We believe this is possible for all who hear, believe and are guided by the plain teaching of God's word. In Luke 8:11, Jesus declares, "the seed is the word of God…" He was emphasizing a known fact: A seed, when planted, will always produce after its own kind (Genesis 1:11-12). For example, a wheat seed will only produce a wheat plant. In like manner the word of God (the New Testament seed) when planted in the hearts of honest people, and obeyed, will produce Christians just as it did in the first century (cf. Acts 26:27-28) - nothing more or nothing less.
The churches of Christ are NOT governed by the traditions, doctrines or commandments of man (cf. Matthew 15:6-9). There is no man, or group of men, who legislate for the church. We answer only to Christ through His Holy word, the Bible. Christ is the ONLY head of the church (Colossians 1:18). This leaves no room for human government. As was true in the first century, there is NOT an inter-congregational organization, but rather independent congregations in different locations, with Christ as Lord and Master (John 13:13-14).
When a congregation matures, multiple elders (also called bishops, shepherds, overseers, or pastors) are appointed from among the members to look after the spiritual welfare of the congregation. Such MEN are appointed only when they meet ALL the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. They have the responsibility to "feed the flock", that is, nourish the church with spiritual food from the Bible, and lead by example (1 Peter 5:1-3). Congregations also are to have deacons as qualified by the Scriptures (1 Timothy 3:8-11). These MEN are servants, working under the direction of the elders of the church. Finally, a qualified evangelist (1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:21-26) or multiple of evangelists (also called preachers or ministers) are charged with instructing the brethren on the Way of Christ (cf. 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:1-5).
The church that Jesus built has the 66 books of the Bible as our only guide. The Bible alone governs us in faith and conduct. We have no additional laws or rules to follow. While recognizing the guiding principles and examples of the Old Testament (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:6-11), we seek to conform to the rules and patterns of the New Testament (Hebrews 1:1-2; Hebrews 8:7-13). Because of both internal and external evidence, we accept the Bible as being both verbally inspired and infallible in content (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Consequently, when the Bible speaks upon any given subject, its pronouncement is accepted as final. By its own testimony, no one may alter a single word of it (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19).
We plead for unity among all who believe and obediently respond to the teaching of the New Testament. Such is in harmony with the prayer of Jesus and the pleadings of the apostles (John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6). We consider such unity to be possible, or Jesus would not have prayed for it. Since division has always been the result of a departure from God's pattern, we believe division can be healed by a return to the revealed truth of God's word. For this unity we work and pray.
How do we worship? Our assembled worship procedures are simple, spiritual and orderly, keynoted by the words of Jesus, who said, "true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24). Each element of worship finds its origin in the commands and examples of the New Testament.
The entire assembly joins in worship. Using the "fruit of our lips" (Hebrews 13:15), we all together sing praises to God. There are no mechanical instruments, choirs or special groups, but simply Christians giving all glory to God alone in congregational singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
The congregation is led in prayer by one of the MEN in the assembly. We pray, not only to praise and give glory to God, but also to express appreciation for God's provision for our needs and the needs of others (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-4). Our desire in prayer to the Father is the same as that taught by word and example of our Lord… "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10; cf. 26:42).
God commands that His word be preached to every creature (Mark 16:15; 2 Timothy 4:1-5). The lessons and sermons preached by our evangelist are designed to teach God's word, our light and lamp (Psalm 19:8; 119:105), giving us direction and liberating us from destructive habits (John 8:32). Each lesson is therefore grounded in Scripture and relevant to the world in which we live. Our period of Bible study is designed to learn God's wisdom (cf. Psalm 51:6; 90:12; 111:10; Proverbs 2:6; 3:13; 4:5, 7), rather than share or elevate mere human opinion.
Like the church in the New Testament, we partake of the Lord's supper (communion) each first day of the week (Matthew 26:26-30; Acts 20:7). The supper consists of the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, memorials of the body and the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:20-34). This supper is served at the Sunday morning and evening services.
We do not take up a collection every time we meet, but only on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). We cheerfully and abundantly give back to the Lord's work as a token of our love (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). QUESTION: Should you attend our Sunday service when the collection is taken, are you expected to contribute? No, you are free to, but this is the responsibility of our members, NOT our guests.
The doors of our church building and our hearts swing open to welcome you. Please come and worship with us (cf. Philippians 3:3). When you visit our assemblies you will be warmly greeted. We want you to know that you are our welcomed and honored guest. There are no strangers here, just friends you have NOT met. As you continue to come, we hope you will learn to know us and count us as your friends. May God bless you for coming. The God of Heaven is so Good. We love you all so much.
