The Church of Christ

by Joe R. Price
via The Spirit’s Sword

The expression "church of Christ" is a descriptive term of possession. The word church is a collective noun (like "flock" or "family"). The church is composed of saved people (Christians, the "called out" ones, Acts 2:41, 47). "Church of Christ" is used to signify the church that belongs to Christ ("I will build my church", Matthew 16:18). "Church of Christ" is not a denominational title.

We emphatically affirm that the church of Christ is not a denomination. While many promote the advantages of "the church of your choice," Jesus' urgent prayer to the Father was for the unity of His believers – not their division into religious sects (John 17:20-21). Denominationalism is the essence of religious division. We plead for the unity of believers, grounded in the truth of Jesus (Ephesians 4:3-6; II Timothy 3:16-17).

Others would promote the notion that Christ is important, but the church – not so much. Yes, Christ is preeminently important (Colossians 1:18). We must also acknowledge the importance of His church, the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18). To diminish the church of Christ is to diminish Christ.

The importance of Christ's church is brought into focus by what the Bible says about the church of Christ:

• It belongs to Jesus, not man (Matthew 16:18). Jesus built it; it is His. Men have constructed rivals to it, but without Christ's approval.
• Jesus purchased His church with His blood (Acts 20:28). This is the value Jesus places on His church, the saved ones.
• Jesus is the head of the church of Christ (Colossians 1:18). Since it is His, He exercises supreme authority over it. That is how valuable the church is to Him. We must submit ourselves to His authority in all things (Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 3:17).
• The church of Christ is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). Who wants to believe for a moment that Christ's body (composed of the saved ones) is insignificant?
• Jesus is the Savior of His body, the church of Christ (Ephesians 5:23). He gave Himself to die on the cross so she could live (Ephesians 5:25). That is how important the church is to Jesus!

How important is the church of Christ to you? (Acts 2:36-42, 47).