Common expressions heard today are: “One does not have to be a member of the church to be saved; the church doesn’t save anyone; one can be a Christian and not be a member of any church.” We must examine the Scriptures to see if these expressions are true.

The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord saves. “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matt 1:21 NAS). However, the question is, where does the Lord save—in the church or out of it?

God has always placed certain restrictions or requirements that exclude all » Continue reading “Is Church Membership Essential To Salvation?”

In fulfillment of God’s eternal plan (Eph. 3:10-11) the church was born. Jesus fulfilled His promise to build the church (Matt. 16:18) on the first day of Pentecost after His resurrection. From Acts chapter two on the church that Jesus built almost becomes the center of focus. Churches belonging to the Lord began to spring up in city after city throughout the Roman Empire. How was this church designated in the Scriptures?

A careful reading of the New Testament will reveal designations that can be divided into three groups. These designations were used with real meaning, expressing function, ownership, and relationship. These designations were given by divine direction and fulfill a divine purpose. Let’s take note of them. » Continue reading “Does God Care How The Church Is Designated?”

Christian unity is not achieved by accident. It is achieved with diligence, purpose and commitment. The inspired apostle declared, “Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3 NAS).

Often the question is asked, “How can unity of God’s people be obtained and secured?” The Bible is the answer. Never has God’s word caused division! People are not divided over what the Bible teaches. They are divided by what the Bible does not teach; or by ignoring, or violating what the Bible does teach.

There is a way for unity; a way so right that it cannot be wrong; that is God’s word and God’s way. This way that cannot be wrong is found in Ephesians. » Continue reading “Does God Have A Plan For Unity Among All Believers?”

Can we today be identical to the New Testament church in all essential matters? This question is often asked when we point out that the church of Christ is identical to the church of the New Testament. It must be remembered that restoration is at the very heart and soul of God’s work in human history.

Man has the tendency to drift away from our Creator (Rom. 1:18-32). While this was spoken of the Gentiles, Paul continues in the second chapter of Romans to show that the Jews likewise had drifted away from God and then concluded that none is exempt because “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23 KJV). Solomon wrote, “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who {continually} does good and who never sins” (Eccl 7:20 NAS). Solomon continued by saying, » Continue reading “Can The New Testament Church Be Restored Today?”

Unless the church of Christ is different from all other religious institutions it has no lawful right to exist as a separate body. To establish another church and create more division among professed followers of Jesus Christ is both foolish and wrong. There are therefore certain distinct factors that distinguish the church of Christ from all others and we believe that these differences are absolutely essential.

One of the significant features of the church of Christ is its attitude toward the Holy Scriptures in terms of the nature of the Bible, and the authority inherent in this sacred Book. We believe the Scriptures are from God, and through them the divine Mind has been revealed. » Continue reading “What Makes The Church Of Christ Different?”

Denominationalism is inherently sinful and stands in opposition to the will of Christ. This is not an indictment against the sincerity of those who are members of denominations because we believe the members of all denominations sincerely believe they are following Jesus Christ. However, denominationalism is not a solution to our religious problems, but is in reality a part of the problem. Denominationalism does great harm for several reasons.

Underlying the problem of denominationalism is the question of authority. When religious leaders modify, change and alter the Scriptures then the authority of Christ is rejected and confusion reigns. The rejection of Christ’s authority and the Scriptures as the rule of faith and practice allows denominationalism to minimize the » Continue reading “Do Denominations Do Any Harm?”

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He {began} asking His disciples, saying, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some {say} John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” –Matt 16:13-16 NAS

The tendency was to give Jesus a label, to put Him into some category and to dismiss Him from their thoughts. This saved them the trouble of really looking at Jesus and making a fresh, independent evaluation of Him. However, the different categories into which the people put Jesus were all wrong. Jesus was not John, Elias, » Continue reading “Can One Be Just A Christian?”

Denominationalism is so prevalent that people usually find it hard to understand how there could be a church that is not a denomination. Therefore, they see the church of Christ in a context of numerous “churches” and they assume that it is simply another one among the many. This concept of modern denominationalism is foreign to the Bible.

A denomination is by definition a part of the whole, hence a party among parties. The theory of denominationalism is that one may be a Christian and a member of the universal and “invisible” church, but by choice may be also a member of a particular segment (party) of “Christianity.” That segment or party will have certain features which distinguishes it from other “Christian” segments or parties. » Continue reading “Is The Church Of Christ A Denomination?”

Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). The word “church” in this passage is in the singular. Our Lord did not say “churches,” or “one of the churches,” or, “a church.” Rather, Jesus said, “church” (singular). To illustrate, if there is a vacant lot (absolutely empty of everything) and I say to you “I will park my car in this lot.” How many cars would be in this lot? Suppose I then say to you, “Take the car of your choice.” You would respond by saying, “I cannot take the car of my choice, for there is but one car there.” The same applies in the Lord’s promise to build His church. He was not giving us a choice; rather, He was promising to build one church.

Paul told the Ephesian elders to “Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Paul also said that Christ, » Continue reading “Does The Bible Teach There Is Only One Church?”

It is very sad that the majority of people of our day have become so accustomed to thinking in terms of denominationalism that it is a most difficult task to persuade them that the church of Christ is not a denomination. Neither Peter, Paul, nor any other Christian of the first century belonged to a denomination. Yet, all Christians in apostolic times belonged to the church.

The term “church” translated from the Greek word ekklesia appears in the New Testament more than one hundred times. Literally, it means “the called out.” Therefore, the phrase “church of Christ” simply means “the called out belonging to Christ.” Such people are called by the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14; Rom. 1:16) out of the world of darkness into the glorious light of the kingdom of Christ (I Pet. 2:9; Col. 1:13). » Continue reading “What Is The Church?”