THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

This article is an introduction to the church of Christ.  Many of our readers are not familiar with the church, so this article is an introduction.  Jesus, while near Caesarea Philippi, promised to build His church (Matthew 16:15-18).  He accomplished this on the first Pentecost after His resurrection from the dead.  Acts 2:47 reads, “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (NKJV).  This church is described in the pages of the New Testament, so we turn to its pages for the distinguishing marks of the church Jesus built.

The head, or final authority of the church is Jesus; therefore, there is no earthly headquarters for the church.  Paul wrote the Ephesian church about Jesus’ headship over the church.  He wrote, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22).   As head over the church, Jesus, not some individual or group of mortals, determines the doctrine and practices of the church.

What about the day to day decisions necessary for the operation of the church? Jesus designated a group of men to oversee the church.  These men, always spoken of in the plural, are variously known as elders, bishops, pastors, overseers, presbyters, and shepherds.  Their importance is seen in Paul’s actions recorded in Acts 21-23.  He is retracing his route on the first missionary journey, and, with prayer and fasting, appoints elders in every church established.  These men must meet the Lord’s qualifications recorded in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.  Their work is described by Paul in his discussion with the elders from Ephesus recorded in Acts 20:28, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

The church Jesus built meets weekly on the first day of the week, Sunday, for a worship assembly.  This assembly has five components:  The Lord’s Supper, or communion (Luke 22:15-19; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 11:20-29); preaching (Acts 20:7, 2 Timothy 4:2); giving (I Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8,9); singing (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, I Corinthians 14:15); and prayer (I Timothy 2:1ff).

The mission of the church is giving God glory and honor through three avenues: carrying the message of salvation to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16); edification of the church (Ephesians 4:15, 16, 29); and acts of benevolence (Galatians 6:7-10; James  2:14ff; Matthew 25:31-46).

—Denton Landon