The Church

What image comes to your mind when someone mentions the word, “church"? When many people think of the “church” they picture a grand cathedral or some other building. Sadly, nothing can be further from the truth. The church is made up of people, not bricks, but living stones. “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5).

The word, “church” simply means “the called out.” The church today then is made up of those individuals who have been called out of the world. This call comes from God’s word. “To which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 2:14). This call (if we heed it) will bring us out of the world and into the church wherein all the saved reside. “Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47). What is the church? Collectively, it is all of those who have obeyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The church was established on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. There is only one. Ephesians 4:4 tells us that there is one body while Ephesians 1:22-23 tells us that the body is the church. We believe that the divisiveness of denominationalism goes against the teachings of Christ and His Apostles. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21). Therefore, the church of Christ does not consider itself to be a denomination (all of which were started by various men or women after the day of Pentecost) but simply the New Testament church. We strive to respect Christ’s authority in all that we do. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col. 3:17). Members of the church of Christ are simply Christians, nothing more and nothing less.