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The Church of Christ

Sep 29, 2021 | Culture, Devotional

I am so thankful to be a member of the church of Christ.  Let us examine some points about the great body of Christ, His church.

 

  • Scriptural in Name. The church of Christ is called by this name, because the church belongs to Christ.  Romans 16:16 says, “The churches of Christ salute you.”   The church is the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), the house of God (I Timothy 3:15), the temple of God (Ephesians 2:19-22), the Kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13), and the Bride of Christ (II Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 22:17).
  • Scriptural in Founding. The church of Christ was founded by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18).  Daniel 2:44 tells us that this kingdom would come during the fourth world empire, the Roman Empire, and during the days of that empire, the church began on the first Pentecost after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:1-47).  The church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ being the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22).
  • Scriptural in Organization. The church of Christ has no earthly headquarters, but rather her headquarters are in Heaven where Christ, the Head, sits on the right hand of the throne of God (Ephesians 5:23).  The nature of the Church is that of a monarchy.  King Jesus has all power to judge, John 5:27.  The Apostles from the First Century still guide the church through the Holy Scriptures (Matthew 19:28), and the Prophets from the First Century still influence the church through the Holy Scriptures (Ephesians 2:19-22).  In each Scripturally organized congregation, Elders oversee (Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28) and Deacons serve the church (I Timothy 3:8-13).  Evangelists (II Timothy 4:5) and teachers (Hebrews 5:12) also explain the Scriptures. 
  • Scriptural in Beliefs and Teaching. The faith of members of the church of Christ comes from the Holy Scriptures.  All things that pertain unto life and godliness were revealed in the First Century, and these are in the Holy Scriptures, which equip us for every good work (II Peter 1:3, II Timothy 3:16-17). Everything taught and preached must be from Scripture (Revelation 22:18-19).
  • Scriptural in Membership. In order to enter the church, a person must hear (Romans 10:17), believe (Mark 16:16), repent (II Peter 3:9), confess (Matthew 10:32), and be baptized (Acts 2:38).  Christ then adds that person to the church (Acts 2:41, 47).  A person must then live faithfully unto death (Revelation 2:10).
  • Scriptural in Worship. Christians assemble on the first day of every week to observe the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7), give (I Corinthians 16:1-2), hear preaching (Acts 2:42), pray (I Corinthians 14:15), and sing (Ephesians 5:19). 

-Jason Gann