“Church of Christ” – More Than Just a Name!

Recently I was having lunch with a friend, and he asked me, “Cory, does a church have to be ‘Church of Christ’?” This is a very important question, and I am so glad that he raised it. I’ll do my best to respond to it.

Unfortunately, many people today think of the phrase “Church of Christ” in denominational terms rather than in biblical terms. They assume that there is some official “Church of Christ” organization, with “Church of Christ” beliefs, “Church of Christ” practices, “Church of Christ” schools, “Church of Christ” preachers, “Church of Christ” members, etc.

They may infer, for example, that worshiping in song without instruments is a peculiar “Church of Christ” doctrine or tradition. Or they may believe that having only men lead in congregational worship is an antiquated, denominational, “Church of Christ” practice.

They may conclude that “Church of Christ” ministers are all trained and approved by some overseeing “Church of Christ” authority. They may reason that what happens in one “Church of Christ” congregation is indicative of every other congregation in the “Church of Christ” denomination.

Many go a step further. They think that “Church of Christ” members believe that, unless you join their denomination, you are in the wrong denomination. These condescending “Church of Christ” members must think that they are smarter, better, or holier than others.

What shall we say to all of this?

First, no human being, congregation, or religious group owns or controls the phrase, “Church of Christ”. Anyone can use those words. For example, I personally know a “Church of Christ” that has several female elders (pastors or overseers) and a female pulpit preacher. Another “Church of Christ” has a band at one service, organ music at another, and a vocal music team at another.

Because there is no copyright or patent on the phrase, “Church of Christ”, and because there is no denominational hierarchy, churches such as these are able to be and do whatever they choose without needing the approval of any higher authority. They can call themselves “Church of Christ”, and no one can stop them. There is no “Church of Christ” convention or council that can award that phrase or take it away.

Second, from a purely biblical point of view, “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16) is just one of several New Testament designations for followers of Jesus Christ. Of course, Jesus spoke of the one church as “my church” (Matthew 16:16-18), so it is the Lord’s church or Christ’s church, and the designation is accurate. However, at the same time, the phrase “churches of Christ” biblically refers to the same people called elsewhere the “body of Christ”, the “bride of Christ”, or the “household of faith”.

So, what did I want to tell my friend? Our time was limited, but I wanted to say …

The church described in the New Testament was not a denomination.

That church belonged to Christ. He called it, “my church”. It was and is Christ’s church.

All of the apostles and early disciples were part of that same, one body.

When I believed the gospel, repented of sin, confessed Christ, and was immersed for the forgiveness of my sins, the Lord added me to that same one original church.

Anyone today can do the same thing and be added to the same church to which the apostles belonged and to which I belong.

I have never joined any denomination or human religious organization.

The New Testament does not authorize Christians in God’s church to join anything else. No one is ever taught to become a hyphenated follower of Jesus. Manmade religious organizations that require membership beyond following Jesus are by their very nature divisive and opposite to the unity for which Christ prayed in John 17.

No, the New Testament does not authorize manmade names for God’s church. The church in the Bible was never called Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Keystone, Faith Fellowship, Northwood, Gateway, Grace Community, etc. It was always described in ways that honored its founder, savior, and king.

I am not a “Church of Christ” preacher. I am a Christian who preaches the gospel. The church belongs to Christ, and he added me to his body, his church.

If a church does not wear the name of Christ, there’s typically much more to the situation than just the difference in the name.

If a church wears a manmade name rather than a God-given name, there is a reason. It is fair to ask the members of that church why they chose their own name and by what authority. Ask them why they do not put a biblical descriptor on their sign.

It is fair to ask who started that church and why. Ask what if anything makes that church distinctive. Also ask if the church is in fellowship with other churches and if they join in worship services with other churches. Ask which churches and why or why not.

Practices such as baptism by immersion for the forgiveness of sins, weekly observance of the Lord’s supper, a cappella singing without instruments, leadership by male elders, etc., are not “Church of Christ” doctrines or “Church of Christ” traditions. They are matters of biblical teaching, supported by book, chapter, and verse.

With today’s technology, you can probably watch this or that church’s services online to see what they preach and what they practice. You may also see their statement of faith. Compare their teachings carefully to scripture. If in doubt, ask questions.

Look especially for their teachings on …

How one initially responds to the gospel so as to become saved.

The necessity and urgency of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

The possibility that a saved person can abandon the faith and become lost.

The observance of the Lord’s supper on the first day of each week.

The leadership of the church by male elders.

The distinctive roles of males and females in the church.

Every Christian worshiping God by offering vocal praise.

Back to my friend and his question …

It’s fine to ask, “Is this the church of Christ as described in the New Testament?” But don’t stop there. Ask, “How does this church recognize and implement the teachings and practices of the church as described in the New Testament?”

Because “Church of Christ” is more than just a name.

 

Was THAT God’s Will?

Is everything that happens God’s will, what God wants? An expectant mother has a miscarriage. A teenage driver is killed when a drunk trucker barrels through a red light and T-bones his car. A dear friend or relative develops dementia or cancer or ALS (“Lou Gehrig’s Disease”). Did God personally intend each of these outcomes?

Some will say, “Yes. Because God is in control, whatever happens is just what God wanted to happen.”

Perhaps such interpreters read Ephesians 1:11, which reads, “In [Christ] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will …” They take that text to mean that God directly predetermines every intent, every word, every action, and every apparent accident in human experience.

Even when a flood takes hundreds of lives, or a foreign army invades a neighboring nation, they conclude, “That was God’s will. God is in control.” When one dies, no matter the circumstances, they say, “It was just his predetermined time to go. God called him to die when and how God wanted.”

Yet even a cursory reading of scripture reveals that such is not the case in every situation. On the one hand, for example, it was God’s will or desire that Jesus would go to the cross. However, Jesus agonized over his own decision, the conflict between his will and his Father’s will. In other words, God the Father granted Jesus the freedom to choose whether to do his will or not.

Mt 26:38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Notice what else Jesus said about his freedom to choose or reject the cross.

Mt 26:53 “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”

Jn 10:17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Jn 12:27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Here are a few other quick examples of God’s will allowing free human will.

It was God’s will for the Pharisees and lawyers to be baptized by John, but they rejected that purpose and refused to be baptized (Luke 7:30).

It was Jesus’ will for Jerusalem to come “under his wings” and be saved from the coming Roman destruction, but the people were not willing (Matthew 23:37-39).

No one in the Bible ever escaped their personal responsibility for sin by claiming, “It was just God’s will that I sin.”

It is God’s will that no one will perish, and yet those who choose to continue in sin actually will perish (2 Peter 3:9).

A study of God’s will must include three elements:

God’s Decrees – those “no-matter-what” guaranteed promises, purposes, and outcomes.

God’s Desires – those things that God wants us to do or not do, but that he does not force us to do or not do against our own free will.

God’s Directions – those matters in which God has given us instructions as to how to please him, again without coercion.

We must be careful not to oversimplify the will of God. As the scripture says …

Ro 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.