Introducing the Church of Christ

"...upon this rock I will build my church..." (Mat. 16:18)

Our currency system is divided into various denominations: one dollar, ten dollars, twenty dollars, etc. Our political system is also denominated: Republican party and Democratic party. The point of these illistrations is that the word "denomination" signifies a division, or a segment; thus in the religious sense, a sect or a party. A denomination is larger than any local congregations (1 Corinthians 1:2) or the church embracing all of the saved (Ephesians 1:22-23). Therefore, the New Testament church is not nor can it be made to fit any denominational mold.

The church defined. The word "church" is from the Greek word ecclesia, and means "the called out". Thus, the church is that body of people who have been called out of the world by the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14), by obedience thereto (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Christ rules as the singular head of the church (Colossians 1:18), and the Spirit dwells within her (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

The church is singular in number. There is one fold (John 10:16). The church is that fold (Acts 20:28). There is one body (Ephesians 4:4); thay body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). The Lord taught the monogamy (oneness) of marrage (Romans 7:1-4) and the church is his bride (Ephesians 5:22-33).

Hence, the Church of Christ is not a denomination. It is observed that the Church of Christ is not a Jewish synagogue. The Old Testament, the foundation of Judasim, has been done away (Romans 7:1-4; Colossians 2:14,17; Hebrews 8:8-13). Further, the Church of Christ is not a Protestant denomination. All the denominations of our day were established by men, hundreds of years after the church of our Lord was established on Pentecost. The case is (Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4,47). Denominational marks and stigmas are conspiculously absent in the Church of Christ: such as, prayer altars, voting on baptismal candidates, mechanical instruments of music in worship, universal and territorial organizations, etc. The Church of Christ is not the Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church did not come into existence in a fullgrown state until 606 A.D., nearly 600 years after the Lord's church was established about 33 A.D.

Therefore, the Church of Christ is that one, true New Testament church which existed in the first century. Such can be seen by the fact that it possesses the same identifying features. The Church of Christ is not a denomination. If she were, she would surrender her right to exist (Mathew 15:13). Our Lord was undenominational and antidenominational. His church cannot afford to be otherwise. Her plea is for pure, New Testament, undenominational Christianity. And, how encouraging it is that many are being attracted thereto.