The Church
Jesus Christ promised to build but one church (Matthew 16:18). This same church He purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28). In Acts 2:47, the Lord added to the church those that repented and were baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). They were not added to any denominational body, just simply the church we read in the New Testament.
The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22, 23; Colossians 1:18). There is only one body (Ephesians 4:4), therefore there is only one church Christ promised: The church we read in the New Testament! As the church of Christ (Romans 16:16) at East Side, this is the only church we claim to be a member of and the only church we urge anyone to be a member of the church we read in the New Testament.
Consider the following about the church we read of in the New Testament:
1. It consists of saved people, not a building
Acts 2:47 (KJV)
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 5:11 (KJV)
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Matt 18:17 (KJV)
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
2. It is the body of Christ
Col 1:18 (KJV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Romans 12:4-5 (KJV)
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Eph 1:22-23 (KJV)
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Eph 4:4 (KJV)
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
3. It is identified Biblically as…
Acts 8:1 (KJV)
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Romans 16:16 (KJV)
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Acts 20:28 (KJV)
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Col 1:18 (KJV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Eph 1:22-23 (KJV)
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Eph 4:4 (KJV)
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
1 Cor 12:13 (KJV)
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Matt 16:18 (KJV)
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
4. It is not a denomination among many.
The world sees the church being divided into many denominations, but the bible teaches there should be no divisions in the church.
1 Cor 1:10-13 (KJV)
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
John 17:20-21 (KJV)
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
The Bible teaches we should avoid those that cause divisions in the church. The Bible also teaches there is one church and there should be no divisions in it. In the religious world all the “churches” teach different things. If they teach different things they cannot all be the church of the Bible.
Romans 16:17-18 (KJV)
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
