By: Sunny David
It is hard for people in a denominationalized religious environment to grasp the truth that the church of Christ is not a denomination. Too many have the idea that the church of Christ is just one denomination among many. People are so accustomed to there being numerous denominational churches that many find it hard to comprehend the concept of undenominational Christianity. Most people think that the various kinds of churches, both Roman Catholics and Protestants, are different parts of the whole of Christianity. Some say that different kinds of churches are different ways leading to the same place. Some erroneously believe that Christ was referring to various denominations when He said, “I am the vine, you are the branches…” in John 15:5. There, Jesus was speaking to His followers and referring to individual persons and not to denominations. The very context itself disproves the theory put forth to justify the existence of various denominational churches today. Jesus was telling His disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches…If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch…” (John 15:5–6). Moreover, He could not have referred to denominational churches since none of them existed then.
Denominationalism in a religious sense designates a divided condition, embracing many different groups and sects that are distinct from one another by names, creeds and practices. Yet, all claim to be the parts of the one body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4). The apostle Paul spoke disparagingly of such a notion when he said, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Denominational division such as we perceive all around us in the present day did not come into existence for hundreds of years after Christ had established His church, according to His promise in Matthew 16:18, on the first Pentecost after His resurrection, in the city of Jerusalem, as we read in Acts 2. All denominational churches came into existence over a period of time beginning with the reformation from the Roman Catholic Church by Martin Luther, a Catholic Priest, with others in A.D. 1517. Not a single denominational church existed before that date. [Over centuries, the Catholic Church itself evolved through apostacy from the church of the Bible, which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28). The one true church of Christ (Romans 16:16) began in Jerusalem on the Pentecost following the ascension of our Lord (Acts 2) back to Heaven. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
In contrast to denominations, Christ established His church in A.D. 33, as we read in Acts 2:47. “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Therefore, the church of Christ cannot be joined. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself adds to the church those who are saved by Him, after they have believed in Christ, repented of their sins, and are baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:37–38). One becomes a member of the church of Christ neither by physical birth nor by being voted into the church.
The term “church of Christ” is not used as a denominational designation but rather as a descriptive term, indicating that the church belongs to Christ. He had said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). If I should build a house for me, whose house would it be? I would speak of it as “my house.” In like manner, Christ said, “I will build My church.” If Christ’s church is not His church, then whose church is it? Why should it not be called the church of Christ (Romans 16:16)? Also, the Bible says He bought His church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He is the Head of His church (Colossians 1:18), which is His body (Ephesians 1:22–23).
The prevailing opinion in the religious world is that the various kinds of churches, calling themselves by different names, following different doctrines, are different parts of the whole of Christianity, and so, one can be a member of any denominational church and believe that he is a member of the church of Christ. This is not how the Bible defines the one church of the Bible!
[Editor’s Note: “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16). While most of the world in our time greets each other with, perhaps a handshake, certainly the verse refers to the church of the Bible all over the planet as the churches of Christ, emphasizing ownership. An individual congregation of the church of the Bible is a church of Christ, belonging to Him. The churches of Christ are not only undenominational, but they are also pre-denominational and practicing the doctrine of Christ. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
