Locust Grove Church of Christ, Locust Grove, GA

Which Church Did Jesus Build?

Christianity was not originally designed to be the divided gigantic structure that we see in the religious community of today. The Word of God plainly teaches that Christ promised to build His church (Matt. 16:18), and that He wanted all His followers to be united as one within it (John 17:20-21; I Cor. 1:10). The same doctrine was preached in all the first century congregations -- "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine...' (Acts 2:42), and the apostle Paul said that he taught the same things "...every where in every church" (I Cor. 4:17). Division has occurred because men stopped seeking the truth and began to follow their own ideas. Let's study a simple diagram to see the original plans God set forth in the Scriptures for the church that truly belongs to Christ.

In explaining the parable of the Sower in Luke chapter 8, Jesus explained that the seed which produced fruit in the hearts of men was "...the word of God" (Lk. 8:11)-- The Bible. When that word is planted in our hearts and we "...obey the truth..., " we are "...born again...by the word of God " (I Pet. 1:22-23). Seed always reproduces after its own kind (Gen. 1:11-12), and we are responsible for what kind of seed we sow (Gal. 6:7) Hence, if we want to see people born again by the word of God, we must teach the truth and only the truth.

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said that He would build "...my church.... ". The apostle Paul said that there was only "...one body..." (Eph. 4:4), and that one body means one church -- "...and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body..." (Eph. 1:22-23). Christ did not just start the concept of Christianity and then allow men to work out all the details and beliefs themselves. There are to be no divisions in Christ's church (I Cor. 1:10-13). Let's study the truth to see Christ's pattern for His church.

CREED - The creed of the church is simply the Word of God. The Bible is sufficient for all our needs, it is complete with all the details that we need, and it is necessary that we abide in Christ's doctrine in order to be saved. We cannot add nor subtract from what God has revealed (Gal. 1:6-8; Rev. 22:18-19).

NAMES OF THE CHURCH - Salvation is only through the name of Christ (Acts 4:12). Christ's church wears His name. Congregations of Christians were referred to collectively as "...the churches of Christ " (Rom. 16:16). Other synonyms were used to refer to Christ's church including: the Body, the Family, the Temple of God, the Kingdom, the Church of God..., All these terms stress relationships regarding the church.

NAMES OF MEMBERS - Members of Christ's church were called Christians (Acts 11:26). They were also called saints, disciples, and brethren, but special titles were not used.

ORGANIZATION - Christ has all power (Matt. 28:18), and He is the head of the church (Col. 1:18). Each congregation is to be independent with elders, bishops, or pastors to oversee the local work. These three terms all refer to the same office. Deacons are to be appointed to help care for the material affairs, and the membership or the saints in Christ complete the picture. Evangelists (preachers) are to help with the teaching program, but they are not to rule the church (II Tim. 4:3-5). No one can make new laws or doctrines for Christ nor set up new organizational arrangements for Him. Our job is to obey what God has revealed to man in the Scriptures.

WORSHIP - According to the New Testament commands and examples, the early church conducted five significant acts of worship when they met upon the first day of the week: Praying to God, Partaking of the Communion, Singing, Contributing (as they had been prospered), and Teaching the Word of God. Jesus taught us that we can engage in vain worship when we teach, "...for doctrine the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:7-9).

MISSION - The mission of the church is not to entertain men nor merely supply their physical needs. The Lord's church is not a social club or a fitness center. The work of the New Testament church falls into three distinctive areas - (1) Edification - teaching and strengthening the saved so that they will live as saints; (2) Benevolence - giving help to those of the membership who are in physical/financial need; and (3) Evangelism - teaching the Gospel to those who do not know it throughout the world. This mission is given uniquely to the church, and we should not abandon this in order to become a fundraiser for all of man's wants and wishes.

TERMS OF ADMISSION - It is the Lord that adds the saved to His church (Acts 2:47). We are not voted in by men. If we become true Christians, then we automatically become members of Christ's church. We must hear the message of the Gospel (Rom. 10:17); we must believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 16:16); we must repent of our personal sinfulness (Acts 2:38); and we must be willing to confess before men that we believe Jesus to be the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10); baptism is the final essential step in our being saved for it is for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). Baptism puts us "in Christ" (Gal. 3:27), makes us members of His body (1 Cor. 12:13), and plays a part in our salvation (I Pet. 3:21). It is essential that we find the New Testament church and become a part of it. Jesus said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." Matt. 15:13.