Why does the church of Christ believe there is only one church?
If the student of the Bible would remain within the word of God, and obey the commands and examples set forth in scripture, then the one church of the Bible will be visible for all to see. To understand this position, or the idea of the one church, one must first understand what the word church means. The word certainly does not mean a building, as it is defined in Webster’s dictionary. The English word church, is translated from the Greek word,“ekklesia.” We have here two Greek words joined together which forms the one English word church. The Greek word“ek,” means “out of,” the word “klesia” means a calling, or to call. Our English word “Exit,” which means out of, is derived from this word,“ekklesia.” The word church from this setting means, a calling out of. The church of the Bible is a body of spiritually saved individuals who have been called out of the world by the gospel into a blood bought spiritual institution, purchased with the blood of Christ, identified in scripture as the church. Consider the advice of Paul to the elders of the first century church at Ephesus. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood”(Acts:20:2
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Let’s begin our study by showing from scripture that there was only one church in the first century. We will use the New Testament as our standard and source to prove our position of the one church. Remember the word church means “the called out.”The church of the New Testament was composed of people who were called out of darkness and confusion, into the light of knowledge by the teachings of Jesus. When one obeys the gospel of Christ, he is spiritually transferred out of a world of confusion, (darkness) into the light of knowledge, (understanding). This is done by the works of God. “ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians:1:13). The kingdom is the church, the one church of the Bible is from the mind of God, the church was His plan of redemption from the beginning. “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”(2nd Thessalonians:2:13-14). The calling out of the world is done by the one gospel sent into the world by Jesus. If an individual responds to “A” gospel, he becomes a member of a product from the mind of a man, (built on a sandy
tlinefoundation) , “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it”(Matthew:7:22-27). Obedience to the one gospel of Jesus is what saves, and at the same time transfers one into the one church of the Bible. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark:16:15-16). This scripture identifies the two types of people in the world today. Those in the world, and those in the kingdom, or church. Only God can do the transferring. The gospel is the only power God uses to separate the saved from the lost. It takes courage and conviction for one to search for, and identify the one church of the Bible. Yet we all believe there is only one savior. Why is it so hard to believe He delivered only one message? Jesus message is simple, it needs nothing added to it. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith”(Romans:1:16-17).
Identifying oneself by adding to the name Christian does not constitute salvation. Some will say there is nothing in a name, but names is what identifies all of us.
The early church members were called Christians only, without prefix or suffix. Many came from Judaism and others form idol worship. They constituted the church of the Bible, Acts:2:36-47. They were spiritually transferred from one location, (world, darkness and confusion), into another, the church, (light and understanding), by the one method God uses to do so, the gospel. “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians: 1:13). The word, “translated,” as it is used here means to transfer. The transferred heard what God wanted them to do, believed, and obeyed. By doing so they became members of the one church of the Bible. If men today hear what they heard, and do what they did they to will be transferred out of the worlds system of religion, into the government of God. Thus, becoming a child of God, a citizen of the kingdom, a member of the only blood bought spiritual institution on the face of the earth.
If preachers today would preach the one doctrine of the Bible, authorized by God. There would be no question about which doctrine is the correct one. The battle line would be clear, all the saved would be in the one church of our Lord. All else would be a product of this world. Is not this the way it really is? If you are not a citizen of the kingdom of God, you are a citizen of this world. If you are not a child of God, you can only be the child of the devil. If you are not saved, you are lost, if you are not following righteousness, you are following unrighteousness. If the doctrine you have obeyed is not the truth, you are following a lie. “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed, For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds”(2nd John:9-11).
The only church found in New Testament scripture, is the one Jesus said He would Build,(establish). “ and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”(Matthew:16:18b).
The church of the Bible is the church of Christ, (the church that belongs to Christ). Jesus promised the apostle he would establish it, and give unto them the keys, (terms of entrance). “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:” (Matthew: 16:19a). The church Jesus built is the one the 3000 who obeyed in Acts:2:41 were added to. There is none other in the Bible, nor is there another in existence today. The of first key for entering the church, is hearing, they heard the gospel. The next key is believing, they believed what they heard. We know by their actions they believed. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” Acts:2:37-2
. All who hear exactly what they heard, and do what they did, will be added to the same church of which they became members of.“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”(Acts: 2:41-47).
Scripture plainly says the church of the Bible continued in the one doctrine taught by the apostles, v;42. They were together, not divide, v;44, giving glory to God, and new believers were added to the one church, v;47. There is only one church mentioned in scripture. The different denominations in the religious world today exist because man refuses to continue in the one doctrine of our Lord. God is not the author of division. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment”(1st Cor:1:10). Nor is he the author of confusion. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints”(1st Corinthians:14:33). (The term churches as it is used is the above passage is referring to the one body, the church, in different locations.) Any church organization who has as a founder someone other than Jesus, or had it beginning after A.D.33, was not originated in the city of Jerusalem, cannot be the church of the Bible.
Finally, the scripture plainly tell all who will study them there is only one church. “There is one body, ”(Epheasians:4:4). The religious world teach error on the subject of “the body,” and what it is. They would like for you to think all churches are a part of the one body. This cannot be true. The Bible teaches the body to be the church that belongs to Jesus. A body of people here on earth who follow only the teachings of Jesus. He was obedient to God, therefor He was given authority to establish a plan of obedience which distinguishes the saved from the lost. “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, ”(Epheasians:1:22-23). Jesus is the church only head. The church that does not pattern itself after the New Testament church of the Bible, is a body out of step with the head. The fact of the matter is there is one church, one doctrine, one Lord, one heaven, one hell, and one hope, (plan of salvation). Jesus is the only authority in religious matters to the church of the Bible. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence”(Colossians:1:1
. The saved have been added to the one body to whom the head is connected.
The term church of Christ is not the name of the church, it simply identifies who the church belongs to. “The churches of Christ salute you” (Romans:16:16). The church of the New Testament is identified in scripture by several different names. They all refer to the one church of the Bible, the one body of believers, who have obeyed the one saving gospel sent into the world to save souls.
The term “church of Christ” simply identifies the church that belongs to Christ.
We continue to teach and preach the one saving gospel, practicing the one authorized doctrine of our Lord and Savior, meet on the first day of every week and partake of the memorial supper of our Lord as commanded in scripture. “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight”(Acts:20:7)
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LOOKING FOR THE TRUE CHURCH?? The ONLY CHURCH in the BIBLE...
Originally Posted by tripwire
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