It is rather obvious that the world has a different concept of the church than we have. It is also obvious that some who are members of the church have some erroneous concepts of the church. One popular concept is that the church of Christ is a denomination.

What Would This Imply?

"Denomination" indicates division or dividing into units. Denominate means "made up of units of a designated kind" (Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary, p. 342). Denomination means "sect" (ibid, p. 343). Thus to say that the church of Christ is a denomination is to say that it is one of many sects. The idea of division can be seen in that we use this term "denomination" to refer to the divisions or units of money. If the Lord's church is a denomination, then the Lord approves of dividing into sects.

Another thing implied is that one church is as good as another. Back to the illustration of money, two tens are just as good as four fives or one twenty. If the church of my Lord is a denomination, then another denomination is just as good as his.

That being true, you then have a choice of which denomination you want. It becomes a matter of personal preference like choosing between four fives, two tens or one twenty. You could then choose to be a member of the church of Christ or any other church. There would be no wrong decisions.

One Church

The Bible plainly teaches that there is only one church. Paul wrote, "there is one body" (Eph. 4:4, emphasis mine DVR). Now what is the body? The same writer defines the body as the church (Col. 1:18). Thus the passage that says there is one body means that there is one church. The context clearly shows that this means only one church. The same passage says there is "one Lord" and "one God" and "one Spirit." Though there may be many Lords, Gods and Spirits, there is only one Lord, one God and one Spirit that is right. Likewise there is only one body (church) that is right in the sight of God. Jesus taught about one fold (John 10:16).

Unity

God's plan is for his people to be united. Jesus prayed that we all would be "one" as he and the Father are "one" (John 17:20-21). Did the Father and Son believe, teach and practice different things? Absolutely not! How can we be one as they are one and have denominationalism? One church believes one thing; another church teaches something different and another practices something even different.

Paul said, "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" (1 Cor. 1:10). That is much contrasted with churches believing, teaching and practicing different things.

The Church of Christ is the One of the New Testament

The church of Christ is scriptural in name, organization, origin, teaching and practice. That being true, it is not a denomination. It is the church of Christ. It is the one that belongs to him. No other church with a human name, creed and practice is just as good. Really, we have no choice. Jesus said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up" (Matt. 15:13).

The Church is the Saved

The term "church" is translated from the Greek work "ekklesia" which means the "called out." It is those who are saved (Acts 2:47). The church is not merely an organization or institution which has a work to do. It is a relationship to Christ. The very steps to be saved (Mark 16:16) are the very same ones to be a member of the church (1 Cor. 12:13).

- Searching the Scriptures, June 1986