“THE CHURCH” OR DENOMINATIONS
The
church of the New Testament is not denominational. In the first century there
was only one church. No denominations existed at that time. It is just this
simple, from about AD 33 forward for many years denominations
did not exist but the church of Christ existed. The undenominational church of Christ is produced when the gospel of
Christ is obeyed. "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin,
yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were
delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."
(Romans 6:17-18) As people obeyed this pure gospel of Christ they were saved
and added by the Lord to His church. The New Testament church and
denominational churches are far different from one another in origin, purpose,
mission, and destiny.
Denominations
were planned by men; the church of Christ was planned by God and Christ. We read, "To the intent
that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the
principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal
purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ephesians
3:10-11) God planned the church in such a way as to have unity. Unity is
possible when "All speak the same thing." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Denominations promote division instead of unity. The church of Christ promotes unity!
Denominations
exist without blood; the church of Christ was purchased with Christ’s
blood. To the
elders from the church of Ephesus God said, "Therefore take heed
to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own
blood." (Acts 20:28) Christ and His church cannot be
separated because His blood purchased His church. Therefore, His church is as valuable
as His blood. Those that reject the church of Christ do not recognize the connection
between the church of Christ and the blood of Christ.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of
water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not
having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without
blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27)
Denominations
do
not recognize Christ as head of the church, the church of Christ lifts up Jesus as head. Denominations have their heads
and headquarters in different places around the world. Jesus is the head of the
church of Christ. "And He is the head of the
body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."
(Colossians 1:18) Neither the Pope nor anyone else can claim headship over the
church. Jesus is head. He is king over His kingdom. Christians are citizens in
the kingdom and thus must respect Christ's law.
Denominations do not respect Christ as head because they do not respect
His law. Christ, the Head instructs His body, the church concerning what to believe, teach and do.
Denominations
do not teach God’s plan of salvation, the church of Christ teaches the gospel plan of
salvation. Denominations
teach people to go to an altar and pray for salvation, pray the sinner’s
prayer, or to just accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. They do not tell sinners
to hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10),
and be baptized into Christ to wash away sins. (Romans 6:3-5) Denominations
never tell people what Peter told the people on Pentecost. "Repent, and
let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
The church of Christ encourages gospel obedience.
(Acts 2:36-41)
God
has blessed us with the great privilege of being a part of the blood bought,
God planned, heaven promised church. Jesus gave the world His church before and
without denominationalism. Let's go back to the Bible, back to New Testament
Christianity, back to the Bible church. You can be just a Christian! It is a great blessing to be a member of the
undenominational church of Christ.
By Charles
Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box
551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA