"Church of Christ" is not the official name for the Lord's church. It is one of a number of scriptural designations found in the New Testament (Rom. 16:16). However, I believe it is a fitting designation for us to use. Here are some reasons I am not ashamed to refer to the Lord's church as the "church of Christ."

1. Christ purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). When we purchase something it belongs to us. We have the right to place our name upon it.

2. Christ gave Himself for the church (Eph. 5:25-27). Out of His love for the church, Jesus gave His life for her, making the ultimate sacrifice to sanctify and cleanse her for Himself. Paul states that the church is the bride of Christ. Most brides wear the name of their husband.

3. Christ built the church (Matt. 16:18). The church was built on the first Pentecost after the Lord's resurrection (Acts 2). Christ built the church when He sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles and they, for the first time, set forth the terms of entry into the church. If we build something it is ours, and we have the right to put our name on it.

4. The church exists by Christ's authority. Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28:18-20). The church that Jesus built is the only church that exists by His authority. The churches of men have the right to call themselves by any kind of name, but they will be uprooted on the Last Day (Matt. 15:13).

5. Christ is head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Jesus is the only head. There is not another head upon this earth in the form of a single man or a council of men. Also there is only one body to go along with the one head. Denominationalism (many different kinds of churches, separate and apart from one another, yet all claiming to be a part of Christ) distorts and divides the body of Christ.

6. Christ is the foundation of the church (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Cor. 3:11). The church was built upon His sacrifice and His teaching. The church continues to exist because Christ functions as our King and our High Priest. Thus, the church has the right to bear His name.

While "Church of Christ" is not an official title for the Lord's church, it is a fitting designation. Unfortunately, some brethren are following the "Community Church" approach and are removing the name of Christ from the meeting house of their local congregations. One preacher's reasoning for doing this was as follows: Some people are prejudiced against the "Church of Christ." Once they hear that name a wall goes up and they will not listen. If we remove the name, they will attend services and hear the truth.

Paul said, "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22), but he also prayed "that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified" in Christians (2 Thess. 1:12). How is Christ glorified by us removing His name from our building in an effort to appear to be something we are not in the name of evangelism? While local congregations certainly have the right to do such a thing, I wonder if it is the right thing to do. How would Christ feel about us removing His name from our buildings and signs and hiding it from public view? And regarding those prejudiced prospects - aren't we going to have to get around to teaching them the doctrine of Christ? How are they going to feel when they eventually learn that we are a church of Christ?

The church belongs to Christ. He built it and bought it with His blood. He rules it as its head and will save it in the end. I am not ashamed to be a member of the Lord's church, the church of Christ.