the Biblical Church of Christ

It’s important to identify the one and only Church of Christ because one is baptized into the body of Christ, and only Jesus adds us to it. Acts 2:47 If we want to identify the biblical church, we must identify specific characteristics. We don’t look for one that worships God, because all churches worship God. We don’t look for one that loves the Lord, because all churches claim that they love God. However, only the churches which keep His commandments actually love God. 1 Jn 5:3 Only the New Testament can truly identify the true church of Christ.

It’s Authority Is The Scripture

The New ‘Testament church accepts that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 It accepts the fact that all that God has given has been revealed by the Spirit, and that the scriptures are inspired in word and thought. 1 Cor. 2:10f; 1 Cor. 2:13 It is certified as having been given by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Gal, 1:11-12 It doesn’t add to or take from God’s Word. Rev 22:18,19 It speaks and acts only as the oracles of God instructs. 1 Pet, 4:11 It abides in the doctrine of Christ, and rejects the doctrines of men. 2 Jn. 9f; Mt 15:7-9
The church has the ability to prove its faith with book, chapter, and verse for all that it says and does.  If God didn’t authorize it, the church doesn’t do it. Thus, it believes the Word of God is all sufficient for our salvation. 2 Pet 1:3


It Has Self Autonomy

Jesus built His church upon a Rock, a sure foundation which was structured or built according to the divine pattern. Mt 16:18f; Heb. 8:1-5 The divine organization of the church consists of bishops (elders) and deacons. Phil. 1:1 Qualifications for bishops (elders) and deacons are given in Tit. 1:5-9 and 1 Tim. 3:1-13. The local church is made up of saints with its bishops (elders) and deacons. This is the only organization known to the church. As such, it is independent and autonomous. Elders are to be appointed in every church. Acts 14:23 They have the oversight only over the flock over which they have been appointed. Acts 20:17-28f; 1 Pet. 5:2. Each local church is to be independent and self-governing.

The Name of The Church Jesus built

Jesus is the builder of his church, and the only one who died for it. Mt 16:18f; Acts 20:28  There is only one body, and Jesus is the head of that one body which is identified as the church. Eph 4:4f; Col 1:24 Therefore, if Jesus is the head of the body of Christ, he by interpretation is the head of the church of Christ. Eph 1:22,23ff; Col 1:18; 1 Cor 12:27; Rom 16:16


Worship God in Spirit And Truth

Jesus said: “God is spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth” Jn. 4:24 The Spirit was the one sent to the apostles to guide them unto all truth. Jn 16:13 The truth is the Word of God wherein the gospel is contained. 1 Thess 2:13f; 1 Pet 1:25 The church is the manifold wisdom of God, and the foundation of the truth. Eph 3:10f; 1 Tim 3:15
Early day Christians worshiped God in Spirit and in Truth, and so must we if we are the biblical church of Christ. What did they do?
1. They met on the first day of the week Acts 20:7
2. They partook of the Lord’s Supper Acts 20:7f; 1 Cor 11:24-26
3. They gave of their means 1 Cor 16:1,2
4. The preached Acts 20:7; 2 Tim 4:2-5
5. They Prayed 1 Cor 14:15
6. They Sang A cappella Eph 5:19

 
It Performs Its God-Given Work

The church has a definite function to perform. We can know what the church is to do by observing the New Testament church’s function.
What is the work of the church?
1. Preaching and teaching the gospel. Phil. 1:3-5f; 4:15-48
2. Edifying the Saints Acts 13:1; Eph. 4:11-16; Rom. 1:8-17
3. Helping needy Saints.  (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:9-10,16).
It is not the work of the church to provide entertainment and things of like nature. Also, the church is all-sufficient to perform the tasks it was commanded to perform. It can, to the extent of its ability, do all that God has assigned to it.


Conclusion

These features identify the church. They tell us what the church is and what it is like. Are you a member of the New Testament church? You can be added to it by your obedience to the gospel of Christ. Acts 2:47ff; Rom 10:9,10; Acts 2:38; Rev 2:10
A church is no better than the sum of its members. If its members are corrupt it will produce corruption. If its members are righteous it will produce righteousness. If the church you attend doesn’t bear the Lord’s name, or obeys the Lord’s doctrine, and doesn’t worship God in Spirit and in Truth you are not in the Lord’s church. There is only one church which abides in all these, and it’s called the church of Christ. If you are not in the right church, you are not right with God. Don’t become a member of the church of your choice, but rather the church of God’s choice, the choice of Christ, the choice of the apostles, and every new testament convert__ the church of Christ. The Saints of God are waiting to greet you there. Rom 16:16