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Perhaps a Church of Christ denomination exists; certainly many people think so. Yet virtually all who are affiliated with the Church of Christ deny they are a member of any human religious organization. Upon what do they base this denial? Or, is there basis for the claim that the Church of Christ is a denomination?
The matter of denominationalism is confusing to many. The Bible speaks of one body or one church, but there are hundreds-all teaching different doctrines. Skeptics would attribute the problem to God, but God tells us He is "not the author of confusion" (1 Cor. 14:33). Thus, if we believe God we have to accept that if a given number of "local" churches practice the truth that is taught in the New Testament, then they should be virtually identical in teaching, organization, and practice.
Before we can determine whether the Church of Christ is a denomination we first need to define a couple of terms:
1) "A religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity." Wikipedia
2) Church: έκκλησία ekklēsía, ek-klay-see'-ah; from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):-assembly, church. Thayer
In view of the evidence on the surface, it is completely understandable that many have concluded that the Church of Christ is a denomination. Furthermore, how can those who say "I'm Church of Christ" deny they are members of a denomination? First of all, they "speak the language of Ashdod" (Neh. 13:23-24). To say "I'm Church of Christ" is not biblical in any shape, form, or fashion. Another matter that adds to the confusion is the fact that some think the "Church of Christ church" is one of the worst among the denominations, while some who are affiliated with this group think only people in their church are going to heaven.
The false notions and unscriptural practices of men result in confusion, but at the end of the day the only thing that matters is what the Bible teaches. First, Jesus prayed that His disciples might be unified so that the world might believe (John 17). Also, the apostle Paul condemned division and party names (1 Cor. 1:11, 12). While numerous descriptive names for the church are found in the Bible, no proper name is provided. However, it is an indisputable fact that Jesus built only ONE church (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 12:4-13; Eph. 2:16, 4:4; Col. 3:15). Yet there are hundreds of denominations whose members seek to justify this apparent lack of unity. The most common argument is that denominations are "branches" of the Lord's church. But the scriptures indicate that these "branches" are individual members of the body-not a denominational group as defined above (John 15; 1 Cor. 12).
Identifying the True Church
The church we read about in the New Testament is composed of people who have obeyed the gospel to be saved and are thus added by the Lord (Acts 2:36-47). We cannot join this church, as used in the universal sense to include all the saved, but we can join ourselves to a local group or congregation. Knowing our responsibility not to forsake the assemblies (Heb. 10:25) Christians must choose a group with which to worship. But we are faced with the dilemma of determining whether a church is a "faithful" or "sound" church (2 Tim. 1:13, 4:3; Tit. 2:1, 2). In the Book of Revelation we read of seven churches-some of whom had "fallen" (Rev. 2:5). Lack of love was one of the problems among the seven churches, but so was doctrine (Rev. 2:13-16). Jesus said "God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Thus, one's search for a place to worship is an important matter. Considering the fact that to worship in "truth" involves following the teaching of the New Testament, it is imperative that it be used as the guide to determine whether a particular local group is following God's blueprint. The Psalmist said, "Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it" (Psalm 127:1). Jesus said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up" (Matt. 15:13).
Guidelines for Selecting a Church or Local Congregation
1. Look for a church that respects the authority of the scriptures.
Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28:18). He delegated authority to the apostles who by inspiration wrote the New Testament, which is the only creed of the church.
2. Look for a church whose members wear the name "Christian."
There is something in a name. God said he would give His people a new name.
Isa. 56:5 - "Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and daughters: I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off."
Isa. 62:2 - "And thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name."
Acts 11:26 - "The disciples were called Christians, first at Antioch." This is that new name!
Acts 26:28 - Agrippa said, "Almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian." This was the only name known at the time by those claiming to be followers of Christ, and it should be so today.
Acts 4:12 - "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
3. Look for a church that worships like the New Testament teaches.
The early church, under the guidance of the apostles, engaged in: 1) preaching/teaching (Acts 20:7; Gal. 1:6-8; 1 Cor. 1:21); 2) the Lord's Supper every week (Acts 20:7; Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:24, 25); 3) praying (Acts 2:42, 12:5; 1 Tim. 2:1); 4) singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 2:16; 1 Cor. 1:21); and 5) giving (1 Cor. 16:1, 2; 2 Cor. 9:6, 7).
4. Look for a church that is organized after the New Testament order.
The church should contain elders and deacons along with saints, who make up the rest of the membership. The church must recognize Christ as head. It should also have a plurality of qualified elders or pastors, not a lone pastor. "Elders" (plural) were "ordained in every church" (Acts 14:23), and they have the responsibility to feed the flock among them. They exercise no authority over other churches, as each church is independent and autonomous (1 Pet. 5:2).
5. Look for a church that is satisfied simply to be the church and do the work God assigned it.
The primary work of the church is of a spiritual nature; that is, preaching the gospel to the lost (evangelism) and saints (edification). Secondarily, the church is to care for its own needy (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:16). Recreation and entertainment (such as the use of instrumental music) are not the work of the church.
6. Look for a church that teaches the Bible plan of salvation.
Most churches teach some of the plan, but few teach it in its entirety. "The sum of thy word is truth" (Psalm 119:160, ASV). Saving faith involves obedience-not mere awareness or acknowledgment of facts regarding Jesus (John 12:42; James 2:19). That obedience is essential is clear from the following passages: "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him" (Acts 5:32). "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:9).
The day the Lord's church was established, men who heard the gospel believed and were sorrowful for their sins. They asked "men and brethren, what shall we do?" They were told to "Repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:36-38). All agree that repentance is essential, but many reject the second command (baptism) even though it is given equal importance with repentance since it is connected with the conjunction "and." The words "faith only" are found in the Bible only ONE time, but the text teaches that works are actually involved in justification (James 2:24). Jesus was clear when he said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). An interesting story in 2 Kings 5 illustrates the problem of men's following what might be considered a foolish act to receive a blessing from God (see also Joshua 6:5; 1 Cor. 1:23-27).
The Problem of the Building and the Sign
Unless we are talking about a local group that meets in someone's home, a name for the group is expedient for the purpose of doing business. For example, utilities have to be paid, supplies are ordered that require an address to be received, visitors must be able to locate the meeting place, etc. While the sign over the door, or out in front of the building (meeting place), is not necessarily indicative of what is taught inside and practiced, it is nonetheless important. Paul condemned the party spirit and use of human names (1 Cor. 1:11, 12; 3:4). Assuredly, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Therefore, it seems imperative that if a local group chooses to identify itself at all it should be a name that indicates loyalty to Christ who purchased the church.
Perhaps many members of the body of Christ, who proclaim to be a member of the "Church of Christ," are not aware of how their thinking and speech contribute to the confusion prevalent in Christianity today. Those not yet skillful in the meat of the word (Heb. 5:12-14) might even be heard to say that only those in the "Church of Christ will be saved." Such serves only to cause the church to be seen as a denomination and to alienate others.
The church we read about in the Bible is often said to be "non-denominational." More accurately, it is pre-denominational, for Christ built only one church, as previously established, and denominations did not appear until hundreds of years later. Contrastingly, denominationalism condones, and even celebrates, division. Some have been heard to pray, "God, we thank you for all the denominations from which we have to choose." That is NOT Christ's goal for His church. Christ has but ONE body, (and it is to be unified (Eph. 4:3-4). Christians who seek truth, and want to please God and bring honor and glory through His church, must determine to reject man-made traditions, titles, and creeds and follow the Bible only and be Christians only.
Is the "Church of Christ" a denomination? The answer depends on your perspective-where you are looking, what you are seeing, and what you know about the Lord's church. I can affirm that I'm a member of Christ's church that we read about in the Bible and provide evidence that local churches were referred to as "churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16). But I emphatically deny being a member of any human religious organization. The Lord adds the saved to His church. Certainly there are many saved people who have had no affiliation with any denomination or who have never entertained a thought about being a member of the "Church of Christ church."
Additional Information:
http://www.totalhealth.bz/spiritual-health-lied.htm
http://www.totalhealth.bz/spiritual-health-sound-doctrine.htm
http://www.totalhealth.bz/spiritual-health-honest-faith.htm
http://www.totalhealth.bz/preacher.htm
http://www.totalhealth.bz/identify-true-church.htm
http://www.totalhealth.bz/church-christ-built.htm
http://www.totalhealth.bz/choosing-church.htm
http://www.totalhealth.bz/spiritual-health-lords-supper.htm
http://www.totalhealth.bz/converted-to-christ.htm
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