The church is NOT a denomination
Jesus proclaimed, "I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18). A denomination is defined as,
“The system and ideology founded on the division of the religious population into numerous ecclesiastical bodies, each stressing particular values or traditions and each competing with the other in the same community under substantial conditions of freedom” (Jerald C. Brauer, Ed., The Westminster Dictionary of Church History, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1971, pp. 262-263).
From this definition we can draw two very distinct conclusions:
A denomination is founded on division. Jesus prayed, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." Christ prayed that His church would be one, not divided into various man-made denominations.
The Divine Record also says,"Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain." God MUST be the builder of the church, which means that the church must be built according to the truth, His word (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Christ never promised to build anything EXCEPT His church.
A denomination is a group that stresses traditions that compete with other groups. The Lord promised to build only ONE church, putting all other groups OUT of competition with His church. The church of Jesus Christ is guided by His word. Paul wrote, "Whatever you do in word or work, do all in the name of the Lord" (Colossians 3:17). Since Christ has all authority, all things must be done according to His will. (Matthew 28:18) Therefore, Christians ONLY stress the necessity of obeying Jesus Christ, not the divisive traditions of men. (Matthew 15:8, 9)
The church is NOT composed of Campbellites
There is a growing and prevalent misconception that the church of Christ was founded by Alexander about 150 years ago. However, the present-day church of Christ is the same church you read about in the New Testament. The church of Christ is DIFFERENT today, it is NOT the church of Christ.
The Bible teaches that Christ is:
·THE BUILDER of the church (Matthew 16:18)
·THE HEAD of the church (Ephesians 1:22, 23; Colossians 1:18)
·THE SAVIOR of the church (Ephesians 5:23-25)
·THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16; Colossians 1:13)
·BOTH LORD and CHRIST (Acts 2:16)
There is absolutely NO ROOM for Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, or any other man to be the founder or head of the church of Jesus Christ.
The church is NOT a physical building
Often, when people think of the word church, they automatically associate it with a building. They'll say things like, "I've been at the church all day," or, "I've been working at the church all week preparing for VBS," or, "Meet at the church at 2pm for church maintenance." When did the people of God ever become a physical building?
We read that Saul was "ravaging the church" (Acts 8:3). Was he ravaging a building, or disciples of the Lord? As you continue to read the verse, you see Saul, "dragging off men and women." So we can reasonably conclude that Saul was "breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord." (Acts 9:1)
Spiritually, though, the church is called a building. Paul wrote to Christians saying, " For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:9-11; cf. Ephesians 2:20)
Conclusion
Let the message be clear: The church is not a denomination, a physical building, or built by a fallible human being.
May we never use the word church incorrectly!
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