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 
Regardless of our differring views about 2 Chr, you still cannot address Amos 6:1-5 in which the Bible says, woe to them who do these things and among the list is those who chant to the sounds of instruments and invent to themselves instruments LIKE DAVID.
The Bible says God ordained instrumental music and I believe the Bible, 2 Chronicles 29:25 “for thus was the commandment of the LORD by His prophets.”
The apostles told people to sing psalms, being told to sing psalms was not a new command but a command they were already familiar with, David wrote psalms to be sung with music. The apostles never told people they could no longer sing with instrumental music that it is now a sin.
commandment of the Lord BY HIS PROPHETS… They followed David and his men because they believed they were men of God…not because God ordained the instruments. The Bible says David ordained the instruments–2 chr 29:27– the people perceived it as the commandment of the Lord bc David was a man of God… just like they followed Moses when he said divorce was ok in Deut 24. They assumed it was scriptural bc it was from a man of God– Moses. It doesn’t mean it was scriptural though, as Jesus himself said in Matt 19:8. Instruments were ordained by David, not God. And from the beginning, just like divorce, it was not meant to be that way.
Nowhere in the New Testament church established by Christ will you find a single instance of someone worshipping with instruments on Earth.
Those who sing idly are not meaning the words they are saying (Amos 6:5). God knows the heart of every person, people who are not really singing to God but are just saying words that have no meaning are not really loving God. Why should God listen when they are not truly meaning it? David did not sing idly to the Lord, when he sang to the Lord, he sang with all his heart, soul, and mind to the Lord.
Michal saw the joy of the Lord David had and despised him for that.
2 Samuel 6:16 “As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.”
Michal having such hate in her heart toward Davids joy of Lord she was unable to have children.
2 Samuel 6:23 “Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.”
God gave the commanded to use instrumental music through David and prophets.
2 Chronicles 29:25 “And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by His prophets.”
David wrote psalms to be sung with music, the apostles told people to sing psalms, being told to sing psalms was not a new command but a command they were already familiar with. Jews and non Jews used instrumental music when singing, the apostles never told them to no longer use instrumental music and they would have no reason to believe they couldn’t unless there was a command given that they couldn’t, which no such command was ever given.
The apostles never told people they could no longer sing with instrumental music that it is now a sin, none of the apostles nor did Jesus ever say that. To say instrumental music is forbidden is very unbiblical. Those who say instrumental music is a sin add to God’s Holy Book.
Amos 6:5 is referring to those who invent to themselves instruments, like David did.
Good words! Thank you.
Scott,
“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”
I found a passage that differs with this idea:
Lu 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.
Also, I would like to help you strengthen your argument against using instruments in worship. Who ordained instruments in worship? David– not God (2 Chr 29:27). Amos 5: 23 says to take away the noise of thy songs for I will not hear the melody of the viols. And the best for last:
Amos 6: 1 and 5 says woe to them who use instruments like David.
Everyone uses David as the excuse to use instruments. What if I wanted to use David as the excuse to commit adultery. Could I do that?
Acts 17:30 says God winked at the old times of ignorance, but now commands everyone to repent. We cannot use ignorance as an excuse anymore.
Great! even though you are anonymous. You stood up for the truth! I read those articles until I about got sick. I was looking for an article on Heaven to dispute the book”90 Minutes in Heaven” and i ran into all of this. BUT THEN YOU made my day! I have been a Christian for 42 yrs and believe in God, His Word, His Church so much I can’t hardly stand it! It is scarey what is happening today To The Church Christ died for, The Churrch of Christ” Loved talking to you! I expect you are a Preacher!
Linda
Acts 17: 30 is in reference to the ignorance of Christ as Savior and Messiah. Leave it in context. Too many also take Acts 2:38 out of context. The repentance spoken of there is not of physical sin, but of unbelief by the Jews to whom Peter was speaking. Although it is wrong and we’re told not to one can be forgiven of adultery. But rejection of Christ and the Spirit leaves one without coverage against God’s wrath.
Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
No. I will not leave Christ’s principles in context and not apply them to my life and others. Context is for interpreting not ignoring instruction.
Lena,
I hope you will consider you views about the churches of Christ. First, are you sure that you’re not talking about the “international church of Christ”? Either way, you should direct your complaints toward that congregation and your brother. The churches of Jesus Christ are all self-governed. There is no man-made hierarchy dictating behind the scenes like among the church parties. I know very well the teachings of those denominations down the street. We know them well, so do our teens. A cult is a body of people by group to one leader who abuse and hurt (even trap) the adherents of the group. Everyone familiar with the churches of Christ knows that the churches of Christ are not guilty of this. Some arrogant man associated with the churches may abuse like in any body of believers, but such a “Diotrophes” does not represent the whole. The Pope may represent the character of the Catholic church, but their priests and bishops do not. Let’s be fair about that.
The existence of different interpretations is true, but different interpretations are not acceptable especially if someone believes that Jesus is not God. Jesus said that you must believe that I am who I say I am (John 8:24). It sounds like nice idea, but what if the interpretations are result of sin? Can our interpretation differ from what Jesus’ meant? Differing interpretations are the result of man’s opinion and not the close study of Scripture. The verbatim instructions of the words of Jesus given to His Apostles and prophets are as clear as day. These must be written on our hearts. Jesus said that you shall know the truth (John 8:32). The differing interpretations are the result of great sin (Rom. 16:17-18). That is why the Bible tells us to be careful to rightly handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). How are we to handle the person who believes in Jesus and rejects His words about baptism and teaches others to do so also? Will we tell Jesus on judgment “Oh Jesus I unintentionally and in all sincerity interpreted your words differently from what your judging me by now” (John 12:47-48)? This rejection alone separates the honest from apathetic, lethargic, and hard hearts of so many erring teachers. Jesus said that He came not to bring peace but a sword that divides family members (Matt. 10:34ff). This teaching along separates disciples from so-called brethren.
Reading the NT examples of imperfect people in imperfect congregations, we know that we can not expect such, but we do expect the teachers of all congregations to know and teach the words of Jesus. The teachers and leaders of the denominations will be held accountable. All teachers will be judged strictly (James 3:1). Jesus said that if you even loved Him then you would not only obey His commands, but that you would have them (John 14:21-24). The hearts of the parties of Christianity are certainly dark and closed to the words of Jesus. It is up to you of whether you are prejudice and judge as this way.
I’m not familiar with a church that acted like that of your childhood, but that can happen. I don’t know your brother, but I have known people in and out of the churches of Christ who acted the same way as your describe. One thing that we do realize is that congregation in Corinth as written to in 1 Corinthians had a number of things wrong, they were on the verge of spiritual death (2 Cor. 7:9-11). I also read of the other churches like this in Revelation 2-3. I read of churches that are good and those that are dead. The Bible says that we will be judged by our works (Rom. 2:10 and more). Jesus said that we are to observe all things that He commanded (Matt. 28:20). Did Jesus command something that we cannot do? Let’s all things commanded and write them on our hearts.
Being more accepting of others’ errors is not a good thing. It is certainly not a moral value of Jesus. Tolerating is what we have to do because of love and free will, but accepting we cannot. Our kindness should be shown to all. Jesus, the Apostles, and the prophets of the OT and NT rebuked error. I understand that many people put their sweat and life into congregations of different beliefs and they are committed to them while their teachers err. When will we lay aside our personal allies to be friends with Christ. The New Testament has warning after warning of false teachers, so we will continue to be alert and contract the words of others to those of Jesus. We need to reconsider and contrast our beliefs to the words of Jesus.
Its very insulting to refer to the churches of Christ as COC. Why do you revile us? Why do you slander us as “cult-like”? I hope you will lay down your prejudice.
Lena, please, please go read the book of Acts. Read John, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, 1 and 2 Timothy. Contrast the video above that represents the churches of Christ, “Searching for Truth” to the words of Christ and show us our error that we may repent and our blood is not on your hands. Don’t be “CoC”, Baptist, Catholic, or whatever else. Reject them all for Christ’s Church and His words alone. See, only the Church of Christ will be saved. Let us pray for one another.
May you have grace and peace in our Lord Jesus.
Another note I would like to add is that some where in the Bible I have ead where there is 46000 (maybe 4400) souls that will be in heaven wether that is literial or not I dont know but if COC feels that they are the only true Church and all others will go to hell dont you think that in more than 2000 years that many souls have already been saved and are going already?
I grew up COC from the time I was 5 till current I have always felt out of place in the COC – My Brother and other family members are still COC but I am not. I am however a devoted Christian, keeping my love with the Lord Right on Top – I would like to get someones oppinion and that is I keep reading That outsiders say that COC is “cult-like” and that all belive that you are the only ones that will go to heaven. My question is how can you not see that this is what is being taught with in your own group of people. I say that becuase NO ONE but COC people told me that all that dont go to COC WILL go to Hell – I wasnt allowed to think or go to another church. Is that not Cult like? I dont know maybe it was the one I attended as a child. I can tell you that my brother is very narrow minded he is the only one right no matter the subject so I can not rely on his judgement. My husband is new to christanity and is very timid around my brother becuase allhe wants to do is fight with out actually showing scrpiture – he spouts off scripture at time s when the Bible is not available and so my husband can not check it. I feel in order to be a devoted christian you do not need to spout off scripture to intimated others nor do I beleive that you can possibly nknow all – all you can do is try your best to follow the Word and sometimes that is left to interpitation in some areas such as fables, ect. More so I guess I cant give him a good reason why my brother may be right over anyone else becuase I myself am a sinner and I do not understand why I feel the way I do all my life so I can not give him an objective look at it. I dont want the same ol answers I always get which is its in the Scripture in Romans ect. I know where it is I also know that I dont see it as one church Name I see it all who beleive in Christ – not the Jews or catholics or Budist or Muslim ect but Christ Seekers – One who Beleives he Died for our Sins and so our sins are forgiven once we repent and we dont have to revist those sins because we have asked for forgivness. Point also to make I have noticed that just like in Catholic relgion that alot of teens rebel more so than others when they are in the COC cult like atmosphere. Why do you think that is? I was one of them. When I was old enough to decide what building to attend I realized that alot of the things I did was becuase I was being told that there is no other way – and while that may be so as far as a life in heaven the fact is that scares kids to so much so that they go the opposite direction. you as a whole should rethink how to get to the kids not by scare tactacts but by gatherings. I dont know maybe yall nopw do that but not when I was a kid at least not where I was at – No Functions No friends allowed outside of the COC – Of corse I had the ones at school but I wasnt allowed to hang with them outside of that – the kids in our neighborhood were only allowed to be my friend if they did not try to preach to us about thier religion but I could about mine talk about hypicritical. This is what I mean about “cult-like” and also why I need someone to tell me a real reason not the same thing I hear over and over again which always goes around my question not Directing it to the point. I know what God has in store I know what happens to thoes who dis-obey question is How do you know that you are not more right than the person who Preaches down the street. YOU dont – because only God knows who is right and who is wrong – only he can know becuase we in the 20th/21st century have constructed to meet our own needs & interput the Bible the way man sees fit. but not one of us wants to admit that. That is why we all fight aboout it – my brother says its constructive debate but all I think it is is just a way for him to feel good about what wrongs he may have done for the day. if any one can actually answer me with out trying to tell me what I already learned as a child that would be great. Other wise just tell me straight up no sugar caoting or going around trying to answer my thoughts. I hate that and would rather have no email than that – becuase it doesnt confimr anything different than what I already know. Give me use full help.
“Lost”,
Only the Church of Church and those literally named by God are going to Heaven. Yet, if a sign says “congregation of Christ”, “church of God”, “assembly of Jesus Christ”, “church of the firstborn ones”, “brethren”, “disciples of Jesus Christ” or the like and these keep the words of Christ, then these are literally named “Church of Christ” by God. I have been speaking of the those names and labels that many try to apply to Christ’s Church. There can be and have been other congregations that have not had “church of Christ” written on their building for meeting who have been members of Christ’s Church. In the current US, I have not found any congregation following Christ and avoiding denominations except for the churches of Christ. Yet, there have been non-denominational Baptists churches in the 18th century and before who were non-denominational and obeyed the words of Christ. Congregations following only the New Testament have been found in Germany, Spain, and India existing autonomously following only the words of Christ. See the link for ignored church history to learn of Christ’s Church in other centuries past.
Yes, the sign “Church of Christ” is helpful to identify congregations seeking to be the Church of Christ and not denominating sects, but this is not always the case since the people in the building may go astray. Many international “churches of Christ” [the cult] have dropped the name “international” since their hierarchy broke up. These should certainly be avoided.
It is not true that only churches that have the sign “churches of Christ” are going to Heaven. Some of these may fail like those “churches of Christ” that Jesus addressed in Revelation 2-3.
I believe you should stay where you are and with that preacher. Preachers are not perfect in teaching (James 3:1). If you look another church, then look for a non-denominational church that is following the words of Christ. There is no larger or known fellowship than the Churches of Christ. The disciples of Christ do not accept the verbal inspiration of Scripture and these churches are inter-denominational. At the same time, you may be able to find churches close to the churches of Christ like some Christian churches, Brethren, Mennonites, and primitive Baptists.
Scott, I found this post again. Please update it. It is now 2012 and it gives a good insight.