What Is The Church Of Christ Some concluding thoughts on our series.

What is the Church of Christ?  As I understand and use the phrase...  It is not a denomination among other denominations  It is not some sect identified by one exclusive name  It is the Lord's church, as defined and revealed in the New Testament

The Lord's church is thus spoken of in the Bible primarily in two ways...  The Church "Universal" Composed of all Christians  There is just one  Began on the Day of Pentecost  Enter only by being added by the Lord.  The Lord keeps the books of members.  Consists of all the saved  Must be in this to be saved  Has no earthly organization  Can't be divided  Death doesn't affect membership  Does not have one scriptural name.  The Church "Local“  Composed of Christians in one location  There are many  Begins when people join together  Enter by joining ourselves  Enrolled by human judgment membership  Consists of both saved and lost  Do not have to be in this to be saved  Has earthly organization  Can be divided  Death does affect membership  May use different scriptural name.

Properly understood, the Church of Christ is...  The one Body of Christ, the church - Ephesians 4:4; cf. 1:22-23  Made up of disciples, called Christians - Acts 11:26; 1 Corinthians 12:27  Who work and worship together in local churches - Romans 16:16  Abiding in the apostles' doctrine - Acts 2:42; cf. 1 Corinthians 4:17  Honoring Jesus' prayer for unity - John 17:20-21  Deploring religious division in all its forms, including denominationalism - 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

Questions We Sometimes Are Asked  "Are you Church of Christ?"  "Are you a Church of Christ preacher?"  "Are you a member of the Church of Christ?"  We should respond...  "I am not 'Church of Christ', as that reflects a denominational concept."  "I am a preacher of the gospel of Christ, an evangelist."  "I am a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, and member of His body, the church you read about in the New Testament."

Denominationalism  Is wrong because:  It is against the Bible teaching of unity.  It is against the Bible in doctrines.  It is against the Bible in practices.  Participation in it is against God’s will.

History of Denominationalism  The apostasy of the early church.  AD 606. Bishop of Rome claims world headship of the church.  AD ’s  The age of enlightenment because the scriptures given to the common man.  Printing press.

History of Denominationalism  Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, and others tried to reform the church.  That failed so they pulled away from it.  King of England started his own church.  Episcopalian and Presbyterian grew out of the Anglican church of England.  Many continued pulling away from Catholic church, and started many churches and doctrines.

How did we get to the Church of Christ?  After the reformers failed, and started their own groups,  Some people started the idea that one could follow the Bible only and it would produce a Christian only, and not something else.  Many worked toward this concept and our faith heritage emerged.

The Church of Christ  Since our group came out of denominationalism, why do we not consider ourselves such?  The principle of procreation is found here.  Since plants and animals bear after their kind, if we follow the pattern found in the Bible, we will produce true NT Christians.

Conclusion  “We work and worship with a nondenominational congregation of Christians, known as the Eastside Church of Christ in Ranger, Texas."  I strive to serve and follow Jesus without denominationalism.  In view of His prayer for unity (John 17:20-21), and Paul's condemnation of religious division (1 Corinthians 1:10-13),  I pray that you will too...