Is the church of Christ legit, meaning is it the church of Christ spoken of in Romans 16:16? People have varied answers. Some say it’s a cult. Others say “No,” while others claim it to be another denomination. Members of the church say, “Yes; it is the church of Christ spoken of in the New Testament.”
The only way to determine the validity of that claim is to turn to the Bible. It certainly wears a valid name. It’s a Scriptural name. The name describes to whom the church belongs. The church belongs to Jesus.
Jesus And The Church
Jesus said He would build His church, Matthew 16:18. He had just asked His disciples who people thought He was. They responded by saying some say John the Baptist, others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets, or Elijah. However, when Jesus asked them who they thought He was, Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” Matthew 16:16.
Jesus responded that he answered well, saying, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” Matthew 16:18. Now, there has been much debate about the word rock. What did Jesus mean by that? The word is defined according to Thayer’s Bible Dictionary as this: a rock, cliff, or ledge, a projecting rock, crag, or rocky ground.” The point is that upon Peter’s confession of belief in Jesus as the Christ, the saved would one day make the same confession. It was an enormous statement of faith, as huge as a vast cliff.
The time for Jesus’ church was not at that moment, though. Jesus spoke of the church as being in the future. How far in the future? The Bible tells us the church began in Acts 2:47. Compare Acts 2:47 (NKJV).
So, the church is His. It’s His church. That’s why Paul spoke of the churches of Christ the way he did in Romans 16:16. But there’s more Biblical evidence.
Jesus, As Head Of The Church
The Holy Spirit expressed to Paul the words we find in Ephesians 1:21-22 – “And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
He is in full authority of the following:
- All things.
- Over all things to the church.
- The church, His body.
- The church, the fullness of God.
How Does All This Make The “church of Christ” Today As The Church Of The New Testament?
All the evidence is Biblical. There can be no disagreement about these verses. But still, there are questions to be answered as to whether today’s church of Christ is the church of the New Testament.
How is one entered in today’s church of Christ? The same way as found in Acts: faith (Acts 8:35-38), repentance (Acts 2:38), confession (Acts 8:37), and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16). That’s Bible salvation.
How does today’s church of Christ worship? The same way as found in the New Testament, on each Lord’s Day: singing (Ephesians 5:19), praying (1 Timothy 2:1-8), remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and Acts 20:7), giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), and preaching (Acts 20:7).
Sunday is called the Lord’s Day, the day of worship, because (1) it’s the day the Lord arose from the dead, and (2) it’s the day the early church met (Acts 20:7).
Is Jesus the head of today’s church of Christ? Yes. There is no national headquarters of the church of Christ. No man or woman heads the church. Only Jesus, He’s the head of the church. Each congregation of the church is autonomous. Each is responsible for carrying out God’s’ will, Matthew 7:21. We are a brotherhood, 1 Corinthians 1:10, bound by our Lord and Savior, Jesus. The church does not legislate; after all, He is the head of the church. The New Testament depicts Jesus’ will for the church, 1 Peter 1:25.
What is the work of today’s church of Christ? It’s the same as found in the New Testament. Number one, we are to spread the gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:19-20). Number two, the church is to edify and build spiritual strength (Ephesians 4:11-16). Number three, the church takes care of its own (Galatians 6:1-2, 1 Timothy 5:3-10, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
Conclusion
Today’s church of Christ is the same as in the New Testament. While I’m not saying who and who won’t enter Heaven – that’s Jesus’ decision, it is imperative that all those who desire to go to Heaven be admitted to His church, the church of Christ.
Garland Van Dyke
mailto:garland.churchofchrist@gmail.com?subject=Is the church of Christ Legit?