Many people have heard of the Church of Christ and yet have no real understanding of what the church is or what we believe. I would like to touch briefly on a number of things that make the Church of Christ distinctive. But, before we proceed, let me put in a disclaimer here. Many churches calling themselves "Churches of Christ" are anything but a "Church of Christ." Many churches wearing the same name as we do, practice things that are foreign to the gospel of Jesus Christ. These issues that we will discuss are what distinguishes the church from all others.

First, the Church of Christ was founded on Jesus Christ. Jesus said that He would build His church (Mt. 16:18), and Paul says the church is built upon the "foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone" (Eph. 2:20).

If a church is built upon any other foundation, then, it is not the church that Jesus built.

Next, the "Church of Christ" was established on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem (see Acts 2). Just as Jesus had promised, the church was established by the apostles on the day of Pentecost. Many religious organizations today can trace their beginning to a time and place other than Jerusalem in the first century A.D. These are then necessarily something besides the "Church of Christ."

Many churches today have departed from the pattern of organization that Jesus laid out in the pages of the inspired Word. As the Head of the church, He has the right to organize His church as He sees fit. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, guided the first century Christians into a pattern of organization that should be followed today. We see churches established in the first century and in due time qualified men were appointed as elders and deacons. They sometimes had an evangelist working with them. They also had the apostles who were with them sometimes, but they all died before or shortly after the first century ended. The apostles were just one of the gifts that Paul said Jesus gave to the church (Eph. 4:11). Along with the prophets, the apostles are no longer with us. We are left with the other three gifts of "evangelist, pastors, and teachers." These are all that are necessary for the church to exist today.

Of these gifts that were given to the church, one in particular is misunderstood. Many people believe that the preacher (evangelist) is the pastor. A careful study of the original language will reveal that this is the same office as the elder or bishop. It just describes another aspect of that office. The evangelist preaches the gospel, he does not shepherd the flock.

The perversion of God’s plan for organization began early on in the history of the church. It wasn’t long until we saw the beginnings of forms of church government that are foreign to the Bible.

The "Church of Christ" is organized according to the pattern of the New Testament when qualified men are available to serve as elders and deacons. If there are not qualified men, the church is simply unorganized in a scriptural way. Before the first century churches had qualified men, they had no elders or deacons. Some churches had an evangelist working with them such as Timothy or Titus. The same is true today in many "Churches of Christ."

It has become quite fashionable in recent years for scholars to say that they do not believe that the Bible is completely and totally inspired of God. This used to not be so. However, this thinking has arisen and has trickled down into the pew to the common man. This kind of thinking has opened the flood gate for all kinds of perversions when it comes to religion. Men will claim that since the Bible is not the inspired word of God, then anything goes in religion. From the plan of salvation to the organization of the church, to the work of the church, to women in the ministry, to the acceptance of gays and lesbians in the rank and file of the churches and the clergy, to...etc., etc., etc. It is sort of like the little boy who pulled his finger out of the dike, he never could stop the flood of water after that. The same is true with digression from the truth. Once you start, there is no turning back.

The "Church of Christ" believes that the Bible IS the inspired Word of God. And, as such, it is our only source of truth. In it we find everything that we need to follow God’s will in our lives (see 2 Tim. 3:16; Jude 3). Since the Bible is sufficient for all that we need, we have no need of a creed book or anything else to guide us in living Godly lives. Likewise, we do not need a man claiming to be a prophet telling us what he believes God is telling him today (Jude 3).

Finally, the "Church of Christ" teaches the Plan of Salvation as found in God’s Word. Many people have been misled when it comes to what is required for salvation. They have been taught that faith is all that is necessary for salvation. We believe that faith is necessary, but faith alone will not save (Jas. 2:20-26).

We also believe that the Bible teaches that we are saved by the blood of Christ. Many people believe this. The trouble occurs when they begin to talk about coming into contact with the blood of Christ. Zechariah prophesied about the fountain opened for our sins in Zechariah 13:1. We sing a song about that prophecy whose words go like this: "There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains." Can there be any doubt, then as to when we contact the blood of Jesus Christ? It is most certainly when we are buried with Him in baptism (Rom. 6:3-6). Most religious organizations believe that the water of baptism is symbolic of the blood of Jesus Christ and yet, teach that it is not necessary to contact that blood in order to be saved. Peter said in 1 Peter 3:21, "There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

The final part of God’s plan of salvation is remaining faithful. Many people wrongly believe that once you become a child of God you can never sin so as to be lost. This is so contrary to the teaching of the Bible that it is difficult to understand how anyone can believe that doctrine. From the children of Israel in the Old Testament to the teaching of the New Testament, it is clear that when one sins, he must repent and seek God’s forgiveness. 1 John 1:8 tells us, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." We all sin. We sometimes sin on a daily basis and need God’s forgiveness. Why would God all of a sudden change how He deals with sin? Why would He go from being a very demanding God in regards to sin to being a God who could care less? It just doesn’t make sense. Jesus, in the parable of the vine and branches said this: "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..."(Jn. 15:2). There can be no doubt that God expects us to live a righteous life before Him. If we do so we can have the promise given to the church at Smyrna, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).

These are just some of the things that the "church of Christ" teaches and believes. They should serve as proof that the "Church of Christ" is the church that Jesus established and the one in which its members are striving to do God’s will. If you are not familiar with the "Church of Christ," please take the time to investigate and hopefully you will see people honestly trying to serve God as He would have us to.

Bobby W. Schrimsher, Jr.

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