The church are those bought with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). Those in the church are the only ones saved (Acts 2:41, 47; Eph 5:25–27). Only members of the church of Christ Jesus are enrolled in heaven (Heb 12:23). By the way, all children are safe in Christ (Matt 19:14). Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
Because the churches of Christ proclaim this biblical teaching, many are mistaken to assert that the churches of Christ mean only those with name “church of Christ” on the building’s sign will receive eternal life. The churches of Christ are made of imperfect people and they are not perfect in themselves. Only Christ perfects Christians having repented of their faults and strengthened through their weaknesses.
Churches of Christ
Did Jesus build His church as He promised (Matt 16:18)? Did He purchase the church with His blood (Acts 20:28)? Jesus certainly did. For the church of Christ is a part of God’s eternal purpose (Eph 3:9–10). Where is that church? Look to the Scriptures. Christ established and bought the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Christ cleansed the church of their sins by His blood (Eph 1:7; 1 John 1:7; Matt 26:28; Rom 3:25; 5:9; Col 1:20; Heb 9:12, 14; 13:12, 20; 1 Pet 1:19; Rev 1:5).
As a minister trained by loving evangelists within the church of Christ, this Christian has never heard that only the “Church of Christ” denomination, only “church-of-Christers,” or only those with the sign “Church of Christ” on the building are the only ones going into eternal life in paradise. The churches of Christ do not make that judgment. God decides who are His people — the church of Christ. God makes the judgment of who is going rise and live in the new paradise (2 Pet 3:13). “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Tim 2:19).
Denominations Divide
In the Scriptures, no one was baptized into the Baptist church, Catholic church, evangelical church, or any man-made denomination or sect. No one was baptized solely into a local congregation, but they were baptized into one body — the church of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 12:13).
Believers were only baptized into the church of Christ in the Bible. The Scriptures do not assure the salvation of those baptized into denominations. Paul taught against divisions according to names — even good names like Paul, Cephas, and Apollos other than Christ (1 Cor 1:10–13; Gal 5:19–21). Paul revealed that divisions are destructive, and those who cause and maintain such division will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (Gal 5:19–21). Jesus prayed that Christians be one (John 17:20–21). Did His prayer fail? Certainly not! Christ is the Head of the one church (Eph 1:22–23; Col 1:18). The plea of the churches of Christ is not to denominate and join as one church of Christ.
False Unity
Interdenominational churches may boast of working together despite their differences, but their differences are apparently trivial opinions and man-made traditions or they would not forfeit them. Certainly, ecumenical churches can give up their own traditions, opinions, and inventions. No Christian should divide over opinions (Rom 14). However, Christ’s church cannot compromise His words, His teaching, His commands.
If someone must do something to join a local church that a believer does not have to do to join the church of Jesus Christ, then those church leaders are adding to God’s written Word. Joining a denomination is not joining that church that Christ built. The Scriptures provide complete teaching for every good work (2 Tim 3:16–17). Adding and annulling parts of God’s Word is the foundation and source of divisive sectarianism (Gal 1:6–9). If joining a denomination is the same as joining the church, then all Christians would be a part of the same denomination. However, joining a denomination is not joining the church that Christ built.
Must one be a member of a denomination to receive eternal life? No. Must one be a member of the church of Jesus Christ to enter into eternal life? Yes. Must believers be a part of a denomination or the church of Jesus Christ? The Bible revealed that the Lord adds believers to the church when they are baptized in Jesus’s name (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor 12:13). Now, are those of the church of Christ that Christ built the only ones receiving eternal life in paradise? Yes! Jesus saves faithful Christians who have joined the church that Christ built.
The Head of the Church
How can all churches unite? The church of Christ is solely built upon the Rock who is Christ by the confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Matt 16:16–19). Churches unite in Christ, that Jesus rose from the dead, and He gives eternal life through His resurrection (Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 6:12–13).
Because Jesus is the chief cornerstone and the head of the church, the church finds Jesus Christ as having authority over His church (Matt 28:18). Jesus is sinless (John 6:63; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22). Therefore, Jesus’s words are infallible, and He gave those words to His Apostles and prophets in the Scriptures (John 15:20, 16:12-13, 17:8). The apostles and prophets wrote the Scriptures for Christians to perceive the apostolic insight of God’s revelation (Eph 3:3–5). Christians can unite in the meaning of Scripture and obey Jesus’s commands without dividing over opinions. Christ’s church cannot compromise Jesus Christ and God’s commands for man’s traditions (Matt 15:7–9; Mark 7:6–9).
In Ephesians 4:5, Paul taught that there is only one body. That one body is the church (Eph 1:22–23). Churches of Christ proclaim this church urging all believers to leave the named divisions and man-made church governments behind and let all believers unite in Christ by His Word. In the Bible, the apostles organized churches with elders leading each congregation (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9). The churches of Christ assemble to learn, sing, pray, break the bread, and give to collection every first day of the week (1 Cor 11:17–34; 14; 16:1–2).
Paul and Barnabas divided over application of the way to spread the Gospel, but they remained united in the Gospel, the revealed message of Jesus Christ (Acts 15:36–41). Christians may differ and do regarding application of the Scriptures, but Christians rarely disagree concerning the meaning of biblical texts.
Entering the Church
The Scriptures teach that Jesus saved the baptized and added them to the church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 1 Cor 12:13, cf. 1 Cor 6:11). When the Pharisees rejected baptism, they rejected the purpose of God (Luke 7:30). As Ephesians 5:26 depicts, Jesus washed those in the church with water, and the church unites in only one baptism as one body (Eph 4:5).
Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:18–20). Peter revealed, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Peter also taught, “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). Therefore, Peter refused to withhold water and commanded them “to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:47–48).
In His resurrection, Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit (Matt 28:18–20). The early church affirmed that Jesus revealed, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:15–16). Christ saves believers through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:1–4). Therefore, true believers confess that Jesus is the resurrected Lord (Rom 10:9–10). Believers do not reject Jesus’s resurrection; be saved by being raised with Christ from baptism (Rom 6:4–7; Eph 2:4–6; Col 2:12–13).
The Church that is of Christ
The churches of Christ refuse to bear a denominational name or form a man-made organization. Christians bear the name of Christ by being called “Christian.” By the name “Christian,” the church is “of Christ.” Christ tears down the dividing walls (Eph 2:14–17). The church carries the name of God and Christ in descriptions such as “church of Christ,” “churches of Christ,” “church of Jesus Christ,” “Christians,” “disciples of Christ,” and so on with biblical names.
The churches of Christ are congregations of Christians who have set to be the church of Christ as found in the Bible. These congregations are not perfect, and the churches in the first century were not perfect. Like the first century, churches of Christ are made of imperfect people who are only perfected by the death of Jesus Christ (Col 1:21–23).
Some churches will continue to struggle in their immaturity, but those who are truly believers will unite in love for God, Christ, and one another (Eph 4:11–16; Col 3:14). Christ makes Christians holy, blameless, without spot, and blemish (Eph 5:27; Col 1:21–23). Therefore, the churches of Christ diligently strive to unite and not to divide by man-made doctrines and divisive names. Churches in the first century struggled with divisions and false teachings too (1 Cor 1).
Making a Stand
The churches of Christ believe the Bible that Christ only saves the church of Jesus Christ (Eph 5:25–27). Congregations of Christ stand against the leaders and teachers who divide and denominate. The church pleads with all believers to be Christians only and to follow Christ through His words. Because of our confident stance upon the Scriptures as the sole authority for doctrines and practices, churches of Christ are diligent to “observe all things” that Jesus instructed (Matt 28:20). The churches of Christ strive not to go beyond the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). Because of this, many judge the churches of Christ and scoff at the church’s love for God, love for one another, and obedience to His commands (John 14:21, 23; 1 John 5:2–3; 2 John 6).
Invitation
The churches of Christ welcome all believers to unite. Members of all denominations are welcome and urged to become Christians only — apart from denominationalism. If you disagree, we lovingly and kindly plead from the Scriptures to find and join the church of Christ. Those who are honest will all seek Christ. All guests are welcome meet with churches of Christ. The congregations of Christ are focused on the mission of making disciples by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit and teaching them to observe all things that Jesus commanded (Matt 28:19–20).
Christ has built the church and bought the church with His blood (Matt 16:18; Acts 20:28). The Lord adds repentant baptized believers to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41, 47; Eph 5:25–27). Only members of the church of Christ are enrolled in heaven (Heb 12:23).
Find out more about the churches of Christ via this article, “Ten Characteristics among Churches of Christ,” or online video, “Searching for the Truth.”
The Breath of God 
I’m sure that there are some among the sects too. We’re not going to aid people to a better knowledge of Christ and His will by condemning them to Hell unless they’re a part of a Pharisaical hierarchy, then I consider referring to them as “sons of Satan” as Christ did. We have to be strong for our weaker brethren as our stronger do for us (Rom. 14).
I don’t know much about you Randy, and don’t even know if you’re the same person as the editor of “churchesofchrist.wordpress.com”. I’d like to think that you’re Apollos and that I’m Aquila, but may be you’ll show me that it is the reverse. I don’t want to find that you’re Hymenaeus, Alexander, Philetus, or Diotrephes.
It appears that there are quite a few groups much more conservative than you even know. I was mixed up with the very group I mentioned. Nathan over at http://answeringchurchofchrist.wordpress.com/ is from my area too and he can tell you that the men here are nothing like what I am hearing from you. And the churches supporting these men hold the same views and you could go over at Topix and see Shawn Paden’s love for people – he is about the most rude person I have ever met. He brought up my past against more than once and I finally had to ban him from my blog. Matter of fact, you would be rejected by these men and they would not consider you a brother for taking the stand you have. I honestly thought you and these men would be alike, but you present your views with kindness and you haven’t yet told me I am headed to hell because I disagree with you – the men here have and do this to many of the live callers on their show.
Jerry,
Maybe you should give me a primer on grace. Which verses should I read?
Things seem a little backwards here from history. Here is a quote from Brother Cecil May from the Magnolia Messenger on the wedge of division that we have here. I believe that it presents my feelings concisely.
“The Wedge of Division
From the biblical beginning of the church on the day of Pentecost following Christ’s resurrection, up until the tenth century, singing in the public worship of the church was a cappella, which, by the way, means “in the style of the church.” Introduction of the organ in the tenth century was confined to the Western or Roman Church. The Eastern or Orthodox churches, for the most part, still do not use instruments to this day (A Cappella Music in the Public Worship of the Church, Everett Ferguson, ACU Press, pp. 73-75).
Protestant denominations brought instruments into their services as they followed Roman Catholic practice, though strong opposition to their use by many Protestant leaders, including John Calvin, John Wesley and Charles Spurgeon, has been well-documented.
In the beginning of the restoration movement in the United States, instruments were universally absent and almost unanimously opposed. The 1840’s saw some of those who began with the plea to be Christians only becoming more and more denominational in their terminology and practice. During the early 1850’s, as new imposing buildings were built, the melodeon and organ first began to be used, generally against bitter opposition (Earl West, The Instrumental Music Issue, Gospel Advocate Co., pp. 63-77).
In Mississippi the instrument was first introduced in Jackson in 1870. A report by Andrew Perry to the Gospel Advocate in 1885 stated that several congregations in the Corinth and Guntown area had adopted the instrument. Perry said, “If they would only drop the organ I think they would be in the apostolic order” (Don Jackson, The Churches of Christ in Mississippi, J. C. Choate Publications, p. 18).
The point of this brief survey of history is to demonstrate that the wedge that produced the division was the introduction of the instrument into the assemblies of the church. Prior to its introduction there was unity.
When it was introduced, those who had conscientious convictions opposing its use had only two options: remain and violate their consciences even as they worshipped, or leave and begin a new congregation. To this day, where those convictions remain, there are still no other options. To ‘have fellowship’ or ‘jointly participate’ in instrumental services because they are balanced out by also having a cappella services is a compromise of conscience, if one has any conscience against the instrument.”
Scott,
So, I guess you do believe that only Churches of Christ people are saved and you don’t really believe in the ‘grace on us all’ statement at all. So, I come here and visit and affirm your statements as true and then you turn around and tell me that God is appalled at my use of a guitar or piano in worship? Wow. I am rather touched that you think my salvation is a matter of opinion and not grace. This is exactly, precisely the reason why people think that Church of Christ (a capella) people are arrogant legalists. I’m sorry I visited your blog. You really need a primer on grace.
to ‘churchesofchrist’: it is irrelevant if you or ‘scott’ thinks I am saved or a ‘brother’. Jesus has already declared it by his blood and his grace. I think I will take his opinion and disregard yours.
jerry
ps–this is the first time I have ever heard someone say that my salvation is a matter of whether or not I use an instrument in/to/with/for worship. As if God didn’t make all things to be enjoyed and employed in worship. This is why there can NEVER be full fellowship between ‘our’ churches.
I’ve lived and been to churches in NC, SC, TN, TX, AL, GA, MS, FL, and NV, and I have never heard this taught.
I believe that one using instruments (machines) to worship God is going beyond what is written and they are not pleasing God in music for worship as He desires. His ideal is not being met nor even sought. They are not showing their love to God in this instance, and the only reason that such a person would not be held accountable is because of ignorance. For in such as case, I cannot ever judge nor know by Scripture if an ignorant person is condemned, but if this person continues seeking God’s will, then they will find and be able to repent and continue in salvation. Otherwise, I believe the Scriptures that those who live in sin will not be saved including false worship. Those, who should be in “spiritual maturity” and no longer seek the truth making them ignorant to God’s ideal music presented in Scripture, then God will judge them as all others who engage in false worship. Do not separate this from more.
With this, why would Paul correct the Corinthians regarding their use of tongue-speaking in the Assembly? Unless, they were erring in not edifying in worship by teaching, praying, and singing. Why did the Holy Spirit condemn non-edifying worship when it is only one little sin as some claim that did not effect their salvation? Why is it wrong to make melody in an unknown language and right to make melody by incomprehensible machine? You are not appalled at God’s judgment or my understanding of it, but at the fact that anyone can believe that worshiping God with an instrument is wrong.
There is not really any way for someone to continue in only one error like this. They will have eventually given up in study and seeking God’s will, and with this come other sins and damnation.
May God have grace on us all.
From Jerry: “Can’t say that I have ever heard anyone say that ‘we’ are the only ones going to heaven”
I find this quite hard to believe, seeing I have been mixed up with the very people you claim don’t make such claims. Maybe they are just in VA, NC, TN, TX, AL, GA, and a few other states. The men here make these claims almost on every show/program they have. They would take Jerry’s one statement “I am a member of a Church of Christ (not a capella)” and say he has left the faith and not part of the church.
So Scott are you saying that you consider Jerry (not a capella) your brother in Christ? This I find very hard to believe or you arent hyper-con as you suggest. I was mixed up with hyper-con’s and they would quickly write off anyone who doesnt adhere to a capella and would not refer to them as brothers.
Gordy,
I agree. I have a problem with a church keeping “church of Christ” and teaching error. I don’t have a problem changing “church of Christ” from the sign for another Scriptural name. The purpose of the traditional name is for recognition of sound Christians. Changing the title is good when you are somewhere where there are many churches of Christ and the sign has a false stipulation as I presented in this article. The only problem here is recognition of one another.
Love, grace and peace in Christ.
I have two questions for you (just for simplified clarification):
Here’s the first:
And the next one:
Now, seeing as though we’ve both discussed your difficulty to give short answers (that sounded bad, but you know what I mean…), could you give the shortest answer possible for those two? The reason being that I personally know people who buy into both ideas. I myself see no real reason to clutch onto that american/campbellite title. Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem attending the Gateway Church of Christ that I currently meet with; but then again if they dropped that title and that was it I would not even blink. In fact, I would love it. The reasons why will be posted one day on my blog, but for now I’ll have to bite my tongue.
Godspeed,
Gordy
Jerry,
Thanks for that excellent comment. You mak an excellent affirmation that this claim is not true.
Grace and peace to you in our Lord.
I am a member of a Church of Christ (not a capella). I have never heard anyone inside of the Church of Christ say this either. I have preached in the church since being ordained in the church in 1992. I have attended a Church of Christ Bible College and currently attend a COC Seminary. I was raised and baptized in a COC. Can’t say that I have ever heard anyone say that ‘we’ are the only ones going to heaven. Nice post.
jerry