What follows also answers the question “Why am I a member of the church of Christ?” and in doing so answer the question “Why should you be a member of the church of Christ?” The fact that a religious body exists is proof that it was founded by someone. Did you know here are at least 3,000 different religious groups in the world today. Since there are so many religious groups in existence, does it matter which one I should be a member of, or should one just “join the church of your choice”? Friends, I am a member of the church of Christ because…
The New Testament church was founded by the right person, at the right time and at the right place. The New Testament teaches the One who built the New Testament church, and when, and where. The church was built by Jesus Christ, Matthew 16:18-19, in the 1st century on the first Pentecost after the Lord’s resurrection, Acts chapter 2. Christian denominations were built by the wrong person (man), at the wrong time, and the wrong place, centuries after Jesus built His church.
Jesus built only one church. Did Jesus build one church, many churches, or all churches? Scripture teaches that Jesus built only one church. The Bible teaches there is one body. See Ephesians 4:4. The Bible teaches that the body is the church. Colossians 1:18 says, “And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church”. Since the body and the church are the same and since there is only one body the unavoidable conclusion is there is only one church. Also, the church is described as the bride of Christ. See 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7, 22:17; Ephesians 22-23. How many brides does Christ have? Is He guilty of polygamy? No friends. Christ has one bride and that is the church of Christ.
The church Jesus built is undenominational. To say we are undenominational we do not mean all-denominational (non-denominational) that is, looking with favor upon all denominations. The church of Christ is undenominational in that it is not a denomination and that it stands opposed to denominationalism. Denominationalism is completely foreign to the Bible teaching of the oneness of the body of Christ. The very fact that Christ’s church is designated a “body” rule out the idea of division which is the mark of denominationalism. Consider just a few reasons the church of Christ is not a denomination: 1) Denominationalism is contrary to the Lord’s prayer for unity – John 17:20-21; 2) Denominationalism is opposed to Paul’s plea for unity – 1 Corinthians 1:10; 3) Denominationalism is contrary to Christ because Christ is not divided – 1 Corinthians 1:11-13. There is not a single denomination on earth that was built by Jesus Christ. Denominationalism is a counterfeit of the one true church.
The church Jesus built gives a scriptural answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” The Lord’s church preaches the one true Gospel of salvation provided by God’s grace and tells people plainly and clearly what the scriptures require for one to be saved. There is but one true Gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) and it is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16). The denominations preach “saved by grace alone through faith alone”. Time after time one will hear a denominational preacher tell people to “accept Christ as their personal savior” by just “saying the sinner’s prayer” or even the vague urging to “receive Christ into their hearts as Savior”. Such teachings are not part of the Gospel. One Must Hear The Gospel: Romans 10:17; Acts 16:14 John 6:44-45; Believe The Gospel: Hebrews 5:8; John 8:21, 24; Repent of Sin: Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, 17:30-31; Confess The Deity Of Christ: Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10; Be Baptized (Immersed) For The Forgiveness of Sin: Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21.
The Lord only built one church. If the church of which I am a member, when held to the Light of God’s Word: was founded by the right person, at the right time and at the right place, is undenominational, and gives the scriptural plan of salvation, it must be the right church, the church of (belonging to) Christ. As we begin the new year, won’t you seek the one true church?
-Jerry D. Sturgill
Zakai Ghambi says
The church of Christ is a pillar of the truth and is where only salvation found still we need your help and post more lessons to study to us.