I know, some may read the title of this article and immediately think: “here comes a grammar lesson”. No, the purpose of this weekly publication is not to teach grammar. The purpose of this publication is to teach the words of truth (Proverbs 22:21). There are times, such as is the aim of this particular article, wherein we must find out exactly what God calls someone, some group, or something that we make speak as the oracles of God (I Peter 4:11). For sure, we must be able to know how to identify ourselves as a group of believers. This is not subject to grammatical rules of the English language, but our question is one that is answered by God’s rules (I Corinthians 4:6). As you drive in El Paso you notice various buildings that bear the name “church of Christ” upon them or on signs in front of them. While a sign or name does not tell of doctrinal purity (I Timothy 1:3; II Timothy 1:13; cf. Revelation 2:5), there are times wherein the identity of a group is shown by what they call themselves. We know a group of Baptists are meeting in a building that says “The Baptist Church”, etc. There is one particular sign in town that stands out to the eye that often looks for churches of Christ assembling within an area and this sign is the basis of our question in this article. Here is a picture of that sign and any Christian should see why this sign has brought the question of this article: One thing is for certain, there are many churches that exist today. However, Christ established only one church that is His own (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 4:4; cf. Ephesians 1:22-23). His body, the church is His house (I Timothy 3:15; cf. Ephesians 2:19 and I Peter 4:17). Faithful Christians are the general assembly and church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23). What we call ourselves is more than just a grammatical study. Let’s see if the Lord refers to His body as “the body”, “the church”, etc. Notice (please look up the passages and see for yourself that this record is true):
12:5, Acts 13:1, Acts 14:27, Acts 15:3-4, Acts 18:22, Acts 20:17, Acts 20:28, Romans 16:1, Romans 16:5, I Corinthians 1:2, I Corinthians 6:4, I Corinthians 10:32, I Corinthians 11:18, I Corinthians 11:22, I Corinthians 12:28, I Corinthians 14:4-5, I Corinthians 14:12, I Corinthians 14:19, I Corinthians 14:28, I Corinthians 14:35, I Corinthians 15: 9, I Corinthians 16:19, II Corinthians 1:1, Galatians 1:13, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 3:21, Ephesians 5: 23-25, Ephesians 5:28, Ephesians 5:32, Philippians 3:6, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:24, Colossians 4:15-16, I Thessalonians 1:1, II Thessalonians 1:1, I Timothy 3:5, I Timothy 3:15, I Timothy 5:16, Philemon v.2, Hebrews 2:12, James 5:14, I Peter 5:13, III John v.6, III John v.9-10, Revelation 2:1, Revelation 2:8, Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:18, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:7, and Revelation 3:14).
14:34, I Corinthians 16:1, I Corinthians 16:19, II Corinthians 8:1, II Corinthians 8:18-19, II Corinthians 8:23-24, II Corinthians 11:28, Galatians 1:2, Galatians 1:22, I Thessalonians 2:14, II Thessalonians 1:4, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2: 11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, Revelation 3:22, and Revelation 22:16).
12, Ephesians 4:16, Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 2:17, Colossians 2:19, Colossians 2:23, and Hebrews 13:3). The above record should scream at anyone assembling with a group of people identifying themselves as “a church of Christ”. However, let’s be sure to do the same study to find all of the passages that refer to the body as “a body”, “a church”, etc.
2. A churches… (Zip). 3. A body… (Zilch). Some, like the Pendleton Road church here in El Paso want to stand out. They want a distinctive name so not be associated with God’s people entirely. The true church of our Lord is distinct because of her doctrine (II John 9), worship (John 4:24), and works (I Thessalonians 1:7-8, I Corinthians 16:1-4, and Ephesians 4:16); not because of a subtle change on a sign. To err because of one’s ego, like Joe Wright’s, is fatal (James 4:6-7). Furthermore, let’s remember who works by way of subtlety (II Corinthians 11:3). It is sad that an article like this needs written. However, the trend to rename the Lord’s body is growing. This subtle change will lead to more changes. We need to understand that the Lord is the Savior of His body THE CHURCH (Ephesians 5:23). So, are you a member of THE CHURCH or just a member of A CHURCH? |
| Volume VII ~ Issue XXX ~ April 22nd, 2007 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17),
repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of
sins into the church of Christ (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:1-6). One must then remain
faithful (Rev. 2:10).
repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of
sins into the church of Christ (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:1-6). One must then remain
faithful (Rev. 2:10).
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| Are We “The” Church or “A” Church? By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| What Does Christ Call His Church? |
| Conclusion |
This sign is just off of the
corner of Edgmere and
Pendleton Road here in
El Paso. More details to
follow throughout the
article.
corner of Edgmere and
Pendleton Road here in
El Paso. More details to
follow throughout the
article.