by Wayne S. Walker<\/p>\n
\n\u201c… The churches of Christ greet you<\/em>\u201d (Romans 16:16).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Non-denominational, New Testament churches of Christ are different from other religious organizations.\u00a0 Even the very terms by which they identify themselves are different.\u00a0 It is clear that congregations of Christ\u2019s followers in the first century were known as \u201cchurches of Christ.\u201d\u00a0 Thus, each congregation would have been a church of Christ. This term best explains precisely what it is \u2014 a church<\/strong> or called out body of people, of<\/strong> or belonging to, Christ<\/strong> or Jesus our Lord and Savior.\u00a0 Such congregations reject any and all human-given names because they do not glorify the name of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 \u201cNor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved<\/em>\u201d (Acts 4:12).\u00a0 \u201cAnd whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him<\/em>\u201d (Colossians 3:17).\u00a0 Also, the only religious name that members of these churches wear is \u201cChristians\u201d because it glorifies their Master (Acts 11:26).\u00a0 It is not \u201cthis kind of Christians\u201d or \u201cthat kind of Christians\u201d but simply Christians.<\/p>\n
Churches of Christ are also different in their organization.\u00a0 They are not a denomination nor are they part of any denominational structure.\u00a0 The only organization that God planned for His church in the universal sense is that He gave Jesus Christ \u201cto be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all<\/em>\u201d (Ephesians 1:22-23).\u00a0 However, local congregations do have an organization, being made up of \u201csaints in Christ Jesus …, with the bishops and deacons<\/em>\u201d (Philippians 1:1).\u00a0\u00a0 Bishops are overseers.\u00a0 They are also known as elders or pastors.\u00a0 In Acts 20:17-28, Paul called for the elders of the church in Ephesus and told them to \u201ctake heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers<\/em> [bishops], to shepherd [pastor] the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 It is God\u2019s plan that there be elders in every church (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5).\u00a0 To be chosen by the congregation for the work of being bishops, they must meet certain qualifications (I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9).\u00a0\u00a0 These elders are instructed to \u201cShepherd<\/em> [pastor] the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers<\/em> [bishops]\u201d (I Peter 5:1-4).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Notice the extent of their authority \u2014 \u201cthe flock of God which is among you.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 The elders of one church have no right to tell any other church what to do, nor does any other outside authority have the right to tell them what to do.\u00a0 Each congregation is to be completely independent and autonomous.\u00a0 Deacons are simply servants (I Timothy 3:8-13).<\/p>\n
Again, churches of Christ are different in their doctrine.\u00a0 The word \u201cdoctrine\u201d simply means teaching.\u00a0 The source of teaching for most denominational churches is some creed, catechism, manual, discipline, statement of faith, articles of belief, or other such document devised and written by mere men.\u00a0 However, churches of Christ have nothing of this sort because, as is true of denominational organizations, none of these denominational documents existed in the first century.\u00a0 What was the source of doctrine or teaching in the early church?\u00a0 \u201cAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work<\/em>\u201d (II Timothy 3:16-17).\u00a0 The primitive church had only the inspired Scriptures given by God through His Son who sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into revealing it (see Ephesians 3:3-5).\u00a0 Can you imagine what it might be like if today a church determined to teach only that which is found in the Scriptures without any additions of human opinion, subtractions of vital information, or other alterations?\u00a0 That is exactly what faithful churches of Christ seek to do.\u00a0 \u201cSola Scriptura\u201d is not just a platitude to which they give lip service but their practice in all matters.\u00a0 \u201cIf anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God<\/em>\u201d (I Peter 4:11).<\/p>\n
The work done by churches of Christ is different as well. The Lord gave His church work to do.\u00a0 \u201cAnd He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ<\/em>\u201d (Ephesians 4:11-12).\u00a0 Paul calls it \u201cthe work of ministry.\u201d\u00a0 It is not providing for the physical, material, educational, or social needs of mankind.\u00a0 \u201cFor the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit<\/em>\u201d (Romans 14:17).\u00a0 These kinds of things are functions of the home, not the church (I Corinthians 11:22, 34).\u00a0 Rather, God\u2019s work for His church is spiritual in nature.\u00a0 \u201cBut if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth<\/em>\u201d (I Timothy 3:15).\u00a0 Jesus did not tell His followers to go into all the world and feed or educate or entertain or recreate people, but to \u201cGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature<\/em>\u201d (Mark 16:15).\u00a0 That is the primary goal of the Lord\u2019s church.<\/p>\n
Another characteristic that makes churches of Christ different is their worship. Their aim is to \u201cworship in spirit and truth<\/em>\u201d (John 4:24).\u00a0 They accomplish this when they assemble together (Hebrews 10:25).\u00a0 At such times, they engage in \u201cspeaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord\u201d (Ephesians 5:19).\u00a0 In addition, they pray together (I Timothy 2:1-2, 8).\u00a0 Then they study God\u2019s word through teaching and preaching (Acts 5:42; I Timothy 4:6, 13; II Timothy 4:1-22).\u00a0 And upon the first day of the week, they come together to \u201cbreak bread\u201d or observe the Lord\u2019s supper (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-26).\u00a0 Also upon the first day of the week, they lay by in store or give of their means (I Corinthians 16:1-2).\u00a0 The purpose of worship is not to entertain or make people \u201cfeel good.\u201d\u00a0 For this reason, there are no instruments, bands, orchestras, choirs, soloists, or other similar performance types of activities.\u00a0 Rather, the aim of all joining together in these simple acts of worship is to be edified while honoring and praising God. \u00a0\u201cHow is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification<\/em>\u201d (I Corinthians 14:26).<\/p>\n
Finally, the plan of salvation promoted by churches of Christ sets them apart as different. Undoubtedly, one of the most important questions ever asked was \u201cSirs, what must I do to be saved?<\/em>\u201d (Acts 16:30-31).\u00a0 Unfortunately, in today\u2019s religious world, one will get many different answers to that question, depending on whom he asks.\u00a0 What does God\u2019s word tell us to do to be saved?\u00a0 \u201cBelieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household<\/em>\u201d (Acts 16:31).\u00a0 However, that is not all it says.\u00a0 It also tells us, \u201cRepent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord<\/em>\u201d (Acts 3:19).\u00a0\u00a0 Again, that is not all it teaches.\u00a0 \u201cFor with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation<\/em>\u201d (Romans 10:10).\u00a0 And that too is not all it reveals.\u00a0 It commands, \u201cAnd now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord<\/em>\u201d (Acts 22:16).\u00a0\u00a0 Churches of Christ seek to answer the question, \u201cWhat must I do to be saved?\u201d with what the inspired New Testament sets forth.\u00a0 Why do they do this?\u00a0 Because our Lord and Master Himself said, \u201cHe who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned<\/em>\u201d (Mark 16:16).<\/p>\n
Yes, churches of Christ are different.\u00a0 This is not simply because we want to be thought of as odd, or because we enjoy being out of step with others, or because it is our desire to be argumentative and contentious.\u00a0 But God\u2019s people have always been different and looked upon as peculiar.\u00a0 \u201cBut you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light<\/em>\u201d (I Peter 2:9).\u00a0 For \u201cHis own special people,\u201d the familiar King James Version has \u201ca peculiar people.\u201d\u00a0 A lot of people look at our way of doing things as a bit narrow, but we remember what Jesus said.\u00a0 \u201cEnter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.\u00a0 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it<\/em>\u201d (Matthew 7:13-14).\u00a0 With eternal life at stake, we feel that the difference is worth it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Wayne S. Walker \u201c… The churches of Christ greet you\u201d (Romans 16:16). Non-denominational, New Testament churches of Christ are different from other religious organizations.\u00a0 Even the very terms by which they identify themselves are different.\u00a0 It is clear that congregations of Christ\u2019s followers in the first century were known as \u201cchurches of Christ.\u201d\u00a0 Thus,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[448,300],"class_list":["post-5354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-church","tag-denominations"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":67110,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/are-the-churches-of-christ-the-only-correct-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":5354,"position":0},"title":"Are the churches of Christ the only correct church?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 19, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hi Jeffery, In the article \"Wasn't Babel the city of Eridu?\" you mentioned, \"You will not find any claim that the churches of Christ are the only correct church on this site.\" Do you no longer believe in the one true church? I understand that not every church with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2327,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-do-the-churches-of-christ-insist-that-their-name-is-scriptural\/","url_meta":{"origin":5354,"position":1},"title":"Why do the churches of Christ insist that their name is scriptural?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 22, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Why does the \"Church of Christ\" insist that their name is scriptural when it cannot be found anywhere in the Bible? The church is referred to as the \"church of God\" eight times in the Bible, but never is it called the \"church of Christ.\" The verse they use\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":33111,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-legacy-of-campbells-error\/","url_meta":{"origin":5354,"position":2},"title":"The Legacy of Campbell’s Error","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 8, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Steve Dewhirst Sentry Magazine, December 2000 Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) was a remarkable man, but he was just a man, subject to error even as the rest. for all of his great learning, teaching, and writing over many years, he was profoundly wrong in his understanding of one vital aspect\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/Alexander-Campbell-200x300.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":19287,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/do-all-churches-of-christ-teach-that-the-ten-commandments-were-nailed-to-the-cross\/","url_meta":{"origin":5354,"position":3},"title":"Do all churches of Christ teach that the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 27, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I\u00a0stumbled upon\u00a0the La Vista Church of Christ web site in the course of searching for an answer to the question, \"Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross?\"\u00a0\u00a0Simply stated,\u00a0your answer\u00a0is \"Yes,\" and I\u00a0fully agree with every single comment\u00a0I found on your web site regarding\u00a0the answer to this question -\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":29355,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/denominationalizing-the-work-of-the-lord\/","url_meta":{"origin":5354,"position":4},"title":"Denominationalizing the Work of the Lord","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 3, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jerry F. Bassett Sentry Magazine, March 2003 To denominate is \"to give a name to: designate,\" according to Miriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. This same source defines a religious denomination as \"a religious organization uniting local congregations in a single legal and administrative body -- denominational\" being the adjectival form\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":46060,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-sponsoring-church-arrangement\/","url_meta":{"origin":5354,"position":5},"title":"The Sponsoring Church Arrangement (Longhenry)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 22, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"by Ethan R. Longhenry God wills for all people to be saved in Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:4; II Peter 3:9); Christians must go out and proclaim the Word of the Gospel to their fellow human beings (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 10:14-17). 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