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Are ALL Churches OF Christ?
I belong to a local congregation that is called, “Millersville church of Christ”. When asked what church I belong to, I often add, “But any other name in the Bible, we go by that one too”. That usually brings a smile. If speaking biblically, there is no official name or title for Christ’s church. When Romans 16:16 says, “All the churches of Christ salute you”, “churches of Christ” is a description of relationship, of baptized believers saved by grace through faith (Romans 6, 1:16).
This introduces the pertinent question, “Are ALL churches OF Christ?” Said differently, “Do ALL churches BELONG TO Christ?” Here are four litmus tests, and each one requires a necessary affirmative.
1. Affiliation
2. Allegiance
3. Attributes
4. Authority
1. Affiliation – Scripture uses different descriptions to refer to Christ’s church, even if not using the name of Christ such as “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2). However, immediately after this Paul includes, “to those sanctified in Christ Jesus”. A church sign could include any of those because we come to God the Father by being made holy through God the Son. The point is, do all churches emphasize their affiliation to deity or to denominations? Since there are no denominations in the Bible, a church belongs to Christ by being “pre-denominational”. Does Christ belong to a denomination? If not, should his church? In affliation, is our church OF Christ?
2. Allegiance – Much discussion is made over the concept of “faith”. Are we saved by faith alone? Are we saved by faith and works? Are we saved by a faith that works? If we understand faith as trust, if we understand faith as allegiance, that question is answered. Allegiance is about relationship. When a knight swore his allegiance to the king, did that include obeying the King’s commands, including doing whatever the King demanded as to declaring that allegiance? Our church must emphasize our faith works by obeying our King. We obey because of our trust and allegiance. In allegiance, is our church OF Christ?
3. Attributes – Someone defined “Christian” as meaning “little christs”. This again emphasizes relationships. Jesus is the head of the body which is His church (Ephesians 1). Shouldn’t the body match the head? Becoming more like Jesus is the goal. If so, sin cannot be excused. After all, the actual physical body of Jesus was crucified to remove sin. Yes we all still sin, but the reason churches must not overlook sin isn’t because we are perfect or being judgmental. There is a difference between being wrongly judgmental and rightly judging. Churches are filled with Christ-like seekers, imitating Jesus. As Paul said, “imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Considering Paul’s inspired writings included correction, this includes doing what Jesus said by taking the plank out of our individual’s eyes so we can help take the speck out of other’s eyes (Matthew 7). Why? Because helping others become holier is being like Jesus who is holy and makes us holy. Therefore churches should help individuals work towards becoming more like Jesus in being holy, loving those not holy, sacrificing one’s own will for the sake of others, and more…much more! It never ends. In attributes, is our church OF Christ?
4. Authority – Not only should Jesus be our authority since He has all authority (Matthew 28), Jesus must be our authority in example in following authority. Did you ever notice how Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things (John 5:19). Jesus didn’t add to or take away from God’s word. Neither should we. Jesus didn’t speak where His Father was silent. Neither should we. Jesus is our authority and our example in following authority. In authority, is our church OF Christ?
Which church do I belong to? While never perfect like Christ, I seek to belong to more than a “church of Christ”. In affliliation, allegiance, attributes, and authority, I strive to belong to a church OF Christ. Would you like to join us?
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