Five Reasons Why YOU Should Be a Member of the church of Christ
Noah Olson
According to Wikipedia, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Secularism populate over half of the World’s population. On the other side, Christianity overshadows over two billion people. Inside Christianity are different sects like Catholicism and Protestants. Because of the numerous amounts of religious denominations, division results. When people hear about the church of Christ, they ask, “What makes you different than us,” or “Are you just another denomination?” Specific questions like these demand specific answers.
In a world full of confusion, how can YOU be sure about the church you are attending? You could go to theological commentaries, preacher’s pens, or man-made doctrines, but these are all subjective. Instead, in order to determine if the church you attend is right ask these three questions
Could I affirm that all the five statements below are said about my church?
Does my church follow the Bible and nothing but it (1 Peter 4:11)?
How important is it that I follow Jesus (Acts 4:12)?
As we examine the following statements, keep these three questions in mind. Here are FIVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A MEMBER OF THE church of Christ.
Reason 1: Because it Goes By a Scriptural Name (Romans 16:16).
Names are important. To companies, parents, and families in general, names mean something. We do not believe a husband would appreciate it if his wife wore a name different from his! To God names are important, especially if they have to do with HIS CHURCH. Today, the religious world is filled with names like Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, and Lutheran. Such names are never found in the Bible in reference to Christ’s church. Only owners have a right to name their company...Christ is the owner so we need to let Him name it (Matthew 16:18). Following sectarian names are sinful (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).
The phrase “church of Christ” is not a title like the various religious groups today, but instead, it is a term that shows attribution (i.e. car of Susan, wallet of Joe). The church is that which belongs to Christ; it is no sectarian name. One said the “The church has no special name”[1] for “the biblical names of the Lord’s church are only descriptive terms.”[2] Names for Scriptural designation include
Churches of Christ (Romans 16:16).
Church of God (1 Timothy 3:15).
Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).
The church (Acts 8:1).
Of importance too is the Scriptural designation of its members. One man sat at a coffee shop and conversed with another, talking about different topics. When religion came up, one of the men asked the other what he was. He said, “I’m a Christian.” Puzzled, the questioner asked, “ok, but what kind?” The man replied, “just Christian. Nothing more, nothing less.” Hyphenated Christians (Baptist-Christian, Methodist-Christian, etc.) are not Scriptural. God’s children go by many names all of which are Scriptural (priests, saints, disciples, sons, etc.). He wants His children to bear His name (Acts 11:26), not a human one. Dear reader, why not be a part of the church that is scriptural in name?
Reason 2: Because it Agrees with Biblical History (Isaiah 2; Joel 2; Daniel 2; Acts 2).
The church was in the eternal mind of God (Ephesians 3:9-11). It was a mystery until it was revealed in the fulness of time. Unfortunately, some attribute the historical and geographical placement of the church erroneously. Calvinists claim the church was established in Eden, Methodists teach it began during Abraham’s days, Baptists state it began during the days of John the Immerser or during the last supper.[3] Modern denominations place various dates for their beginning, all of which are AFTER the date of Christ’s ONE church:
The Catholic Church began in 606 B.C. in Rome.
The Presbyterian Church began in 1560 in Scotland.
The Latter-Day Saints began in 1830 in New York.
The Jehovah Witnesses began in 1870 in Philidelphia.
These dates are inconsistent with Scripture. The church had a specific time and place of beginning. If a church has a different place of origin and time of beginning, than it cannot be the church established by Jesus. A man got a letter summoning him to jury duty. He was told to go to Bird Street and be there by 10:30 A.M. on October 13th. The day came and he hurried to the place, hoping to get there early. Upon arrival, he was perplexed as to why no one was present. He assumed they cancelled, so he left. Two weeks later he received a letter telling him he had a fine. Arguing his case before the court, the man attempted to justify his actions by telling the judge “sir I know I showed up three days late and was to the building just down the street, but I was there thirty-minutes early!”
Often men associate the beginning of the church with the Restoration Movement; however, such is not Biblical, for this Movement happened 1700 to 1800 years too late. Leroy Brownlow would say “These men (men of the restoration movement-NO) did not labor to reform any human church...they endeavored to restore the true church.”[4]
Scripture explicitly shows both the time and place of establishment for Christ’s church.
The place (Isaiah 2:2-3). Jerusalem (Acts 1:12; 2:1-4).
The date (Daniel 2:44). The kings are the Roman kings.
The setting (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:1-4, 16-17).
The church began in A.D. 29 in Jerusalem on Pentecost. Any day or place before or after CANNOT be the church which belongs to Jesus. Dear reader, why do you hesitate to become a member of Christ’s ONE church that agrees with Biblical history?
Reason 3: Because it Has Jesus as Its Head (Colossians 1:18).
Denominational pastoral preeminence is unbiblical. Attribution to human origins are unscriptural. Calvinism began with John Calvin, Methodism started with John Wesley, and Mormonism originated with Joseph Smith. Contrastingly, the church of Christ has Jesus as its head (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 1:18). Nothing is passed without His signature (Colossians 3:17) and nothing goes without His notice (Revelation 2:1). There are no earthly headquarters, no synods, or councils that decide the churches doctrines. Instead, the rulebook is the Bible. The following quotes are good reminders:
“If a creed says less, it does not say enough, if more, too much; if the same, it is unnecessary.”
“Have no creed but Christ; follow no Book but the Bible; desire no home but heaven.”
“Speak where the Scriptures speak and be silent where the Scriptures are silent.”
“Do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names.”
“Have book, chapter, and verse for everything we believe and practice.”
These help us see the importance of only using the Bible as our sole guide in authority. Jesus has been given all authority (Matthew 28:18); this includes the authority over His church. He has headship over:
Worship (John 4:24).
Entrance (Acts 2:47).
Practice (1 Thessalonians 4:2).
While various men attempt to obtain control over churches (pastors, reverends, priests, etc.), it is Jesus who is over HIS ONE CHURCH. He is head ONLY over His one church; a body only controls one head. Dear reader, do you not want to become a part of the church of which Jesus is the head?
Reason 4: Because it is Scripturally Organized.
Organization matters to God and religion has angered Him with unscriptural organization. The establishment of the POPE, priests, cardinals, or councils are unbiblical. Instead, the church of Christ has Christ as its head with certain delegated authority given to elders (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). They NEVER USURP authority over Jesus, but attempt to feed and guide the flock toward Him (Acts 20:28). Deacons aid in the physical service of the church (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). Both are authorized in Scripture and NEVER come in the way of Christ’s authority by changing doctrines or admitting entrance. Such things belong to Jesus.
Worship is also Scripturally organized. God wants HIS KIND OF WORSHIP[5] (Genesis 8:22; John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 14:40). Unfortunately, many churches today offer Cain-like worship (Genesis 4:5-7) or attempt to offer up Nadab and Abihu praise (Leviticus 10:1-2) by their choirs, bands, and women preachers. Worship in the first century looked different. They met on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) and partook in
Accepella Singing (Ephesians 5:19).
Giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
Taking weekly communion on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
Hearing God’s Word (Acts 2:42).
Praying (Acts 2:42).
The church that belongs to Jesus worships like the above. Will you, dear reader, seek to be a part of the church that is Scripturally organized?
Reason 5: Because it is the ONLY Place Where Salvation Resides.
The Dalai Lama said: “People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road does not mean they’ve gotten lost.” Many believe that all roads lead to heaven but Jesus denied such (John 14:6). Faith alone, sprinkling for baptism, or saying the sinner’s prayer are unscriptural ways to become saved. Instead, one needs to comply with Jesus’ teaching on how to be saved (Acts 4:12).:
Hear about sin; the church; Jesus’ life and death; and how to be saved (Romans 10:17).
Believe the truth about the above (John 8:32).
Be willing to repent from sin (Luke 13:3).
Confess Jesus’ name (Acts 8:37).
Be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
It is at baptism where one is saved (1 Peter 3:21), puts on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27), and contacts the blood of Jesus (Acts 22:16; Revelation 1:5). Will you dear reader choose to be added to Christ’s ONE church by Him today, by complying with His commands?
The challenge is given, the choice is yours, and the chances are dwindling. Will you decide to become a member of the church of Christ today dear friend?