Is The church of Christ the one true church?

Question - why do members of the church of Christ believe and teach they are the one true church? AND why do you exclude all denominations?

Your biblical answer can be found below.

churchhttp://www.stevensonchur chofchrist.com/Denomination.ht ml

thetruthinlove.com

gbntv.org

Borrowed from:

IN DEFENSE OF...CHRIST’S CHURCH

by:Bert Thompson, Ph.D.

There would be one and only one church. Paul wrote that Christ “is the head of the body, the church”(Colossians 1:18). In Ephesians 1:22, he stated concerning Christ that God “gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body .” Thus, Paul clearly identified the body as the church. Three chapters later, however, in Ephesians 4:4, Paul stated:“There is one body.” Expressed logically, one might reason as follows:

There is one body (Ephesians 4:4).

But Christ is the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:22).

Thus, Christ is the Savior of one body.

And,

Christ is the Savior of one body.

But the body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians1:18,24).

Thus, Christ is the Savior of one church.

The body, Christ’s church, would be known as “the church of the Lord”(Acts 20:28)...

...The Lord’s people were to bear Christ’s name (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). The church would be His bride (Revelation 21:2), His wife (Revelation 19:7-8), and His kingdom (Revelation 1:9). Those in it would be victorious over Satan and death forever (1 Corinthians 15:26,54-56; 2 Timothy 1:9-10).

Unfortunately, men sought to alter the divine plan, and to infuse it with their own personal belief systems. Thus, the concept of denominationalism was born. Denominationalism, however, is unknown to, and unauthorized by, the Word of God. A denomination is defined as:“a class or kind having a specific name or value.”

We speak of various monetary denominations—a five dollar bill, a ten dollar bill, etc. They are all different. The same is true of religious denominations. They are all different.

more to come

Denominationalism ignores the singularity and uniqueness of the true church, and establishes various groups teaching conflicting doctrines that are antagonistic both to the Bible and to each other. It also ignores the church’s relationship to Christ, described so beautifully in Ephesians 5 where Paul reminded first-century Christians that “the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church”(5:23).

The apostle’s point was this: In a physical context, the wife is the bride, and the husband is the bridegroom; in a spiritual context, the church is the bride, and Christ is the bridegroom.[John reiterated this in Revelation 21:9.]

In Acts, Peter discussed Christ’s relationship to His church when he observed that “neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved”(Acts 4:12).
Denominations are man-made institutions that neither are recognized in, nor sanctioned by, the Word of God. The simple truth of the matter is that John the Baptist—while a marvelous harbinger of the Messiah—did not die to establish the church. Why, then, be a member of a denomination bearing his name?

As great a reformer as Martin Luther was, the fact remains that he did not die to establish the church. Why, then, be a member of a denomination bearing his name? The early church’s presbyters (i.e., elders, bishops, overseers) did not give their lives on a cross to establish the church. Why, then, be a member of a denomination named after such men? The Bible—although it prophesies the coming of the church and documents its arrival—did not make possible the church. Why, then, be a member of a “Bible church”? Instead, should not Christians seek to be simply a member of the singular church that honors Christ’s authority, and that He purchased with His blood? It is His bride; He is its bridegroom. His congregations are called the “churches of Christ”(Romans 16:16).

Those who are true New Testament Christians are those who have done exactly what God has commanded them to do to be saved, in exactly the way God has commanded that it be done. In so doing, they have not “joined” some man-made religious denomination that, like a five-dollar bill is one denomination among many others, is simply one religious group among many others. If the church is the body, and there is only one body, then there is only one church. Further, one does not “join” the church. The Scriptures teach that as a person is saved, God Himself “adds” that person to the one true church (Acts 2:41) that bears His Son’s name.

Which church of Christ denomination are you a part of?

The church of God is mentioned 7 times more often than yours, are they true Christians?

ronnie wrote:

Which church of Christ denomination are you a part of?
The church of God is mentioned 7 times more often than yours, are they true Christians?

Hello Ronnie, I am a member of the church you can read about in the NT (Rom.16:16).

I am not a member of any denomination.

The church of Christ teaches we must go back to the pattern of the first century (the NT).

We are not saying the coc is better than other denominations.

We are saying that the Lord built one church (Mt.16:18,19)(Acts 20:28)(Eph.5:23). To go to heaven we must be in that one church according to (Eph.5:23). He is the Saviour of THE CHURCH (not them churches).

In the NT the church of God and the church of Christ are the very same church for the apostles taught the very same thing to each congregation (1Cor.4:17). What belongs to Christ belongs also to God for they are one in the same (John 1:1).

There were no denominations in the first century. So if you only use the word of God that argument will not hold water.

The very splitting and following after certain men was condemned (1Cor.1:10-13)(Mt.15:9)(Rom.16 :17-19).

The word of God commanded men then and now to speak as the oracles of God (1Peter 4:11),walk by the same rule (Phil 3:16-19) and spread the very same gospel (1Cor.1:21 ; 4:17).

Those commands have been all but forgotten in today's man-made churches.

We urge people to leave all creeds and doctrines of men and follow only Christ (John 15:10,14).

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.(1John 2:4)

thetruthinlove.com

ronnie wrote:

Which church of Christ denomination are you a part of?
The church of God is mentioned 7 times more often than yours, are they true Christians?

The Pentecostal Holiness Church, Assembly Of God Church, And Nazarene Church

"From Heaven Or Of Men?"

http://www.gospelpreceptor.com/WeirML04.htm

Six bible lessons. Enjoy!

http://www.searchingfortruth.org/

Beautiful Feet wrote:

<quoted text>
Hello Ronnie, I am a member of the church you can read about in the NT (Rom.16:16).
I am not a member of any denomination.
The church of Christ teaches we must go back to the pattern of the first century (the NT).
We are not saying the coc is better than other denominations.
We are saying that the Lord built one church (Mt.16:18,19)(Acts 20:28)(Eph.5:23). To go to heaven we must be in that one church according to (Eph.5:23). He is the Saviour of THE CHURCH (not them churches).
In the NT the church of God and the church of Christ are the very same church for the apostles taught the very same thing to each congregation (1Cor.4:17). What belongs to Christ belongs also to God for they are one in the same (John 1:1).
There were no denominations in the first century. So if you only use the word of God that argument will not hold water.
The very splitting and following after certain men was condemned (1Cor.1:10-13)(Mt.15:9)(Rom.16 :17-19).
The word of God commanded men then and now to speak as the oracles of God (1Peter 4:11),walk by the same rule (Phil 3:16-19) and spread the very same gospel (1Cor.1:21 ; 4:17).
Those commands have been all but forgotten in today's man-made churches.
We urge people to leave all creeds and doctrines of men and follow only Christ (John 15:10,14).
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.(1John 2:4)
thetruthinlove.com

Your answer is evasive. You know very well that there are many coc's which are not fellowshiping with each other. Which one is the only true church?

(You said)We are not saying the coc is better than other denominations.

Does this mean that you accept all other denominations?

(you also said)The church of Christ teaches we must go back to the pattern of the first century.

Where does the bible say that we must go back to the pattern of the first century?

Until we establish what you really believe and teach, I refuse to go to your denominations websites. Let's do this in our own words.

Beautiful Feet wrote:

<quoted text>
Hello Ronnie, I am a member of the church you can read about in the NT (Rom.16:16).
I am not a member of any denomination.
The church of Christ teaches we must go back to the pattern of the first century (the NT).
We are not saying the coc is better than other denominations.
We are saying that the Lord built one church (Mt.16:18,19)(Acts 20:28)(Eph.5:23). To go to heaven we must be in that one church according to (Eph.5:23). He is the Saviour of THE CHURCH (not them churches).
In the NT the church of God and the church of Christ are the very same church for the apostles taught the very same thing to each congregation (1Cor.4:17). What belongs to Christ belongs also to God for they are one in the same (John 1:1).
There were no denominations in the first century. So if you only use the word of God that argument will not hold water.
The very splitting and following after certain men was condemned (1Cor.1:10-13)(Mt.15:9)(Rom.16 :17-19).
The word of God commanded men then and now to speak as the oracles of God (1Peter 4:11),walk by the same rule (Phil 3:16-19) and spread the very same gospel (1Cor.1:21 ; 4:17).
Those commands have been all but forgotten in today's man-made churches.
We urge people to leave all creeds and doctrines of men and follow only Christ (John 15:10,14).
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.(1John 2:4)
thetruthinlove.com

(You said)We are not saying the coc is better than other denominations.

Does this mean that you accept all other denominations?

(you also said)The church of Christ teaches we must go back to the pattern of the first century.

Where does the bible say that we must go back to the pattern of the first century?

Until we establish what you really believe and teach, I refuse to go to your denominations websites. Let's do this in our own words.

Beautiful Feet(You said)We are not saying the coc is better than other denominations.

Does this mean that you accept all other denominations?

(you also said)The church of Christ teaches we must go back to the pattern of the first century.

Where does the bible say that we must go back to the pattern of the first century?

Until we establish what you really believe and teach, I refuse to go to your denominations websites. Let's do this in our own words.

Sorry for the multiple post, topix was not showing that my post went through.

The Restoration of First-Century Christianity

http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/113-...

http://www.emorychurchofchrist.org/whatischur...

Saul was told to go to a certain city and see a certain man and afterwards he would be told what he must do.(Acts 9:6)

Saul did not argue about where he had to go or who he had to see to learn truth,that is the attitude of a person with a good and honest heart. They will do what is needed to come to the knowledge of truth (1Tim.2:4).

Saul was told he opposed God. Saul was given instructions as to what he was to do. Saul was even required to go to a particular city and find a certain man while blind. Saul was willing to do so under those circumstances. Again we see the willingness of a good and honest heart (Luke 8:15). He had a determination to find and learn truth.

Today some people refuse to read a five minute lesson of truth. Even though that lesson will lead them to heaven.(John 17:17)(1Tim.2:4)(John 8:31,32)(2Tim.3:14-17).

If people are not willing and ready to accept truth,the bible says to let them alone (Mt.15:14).

14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

There are many who will accept truth. Let us spend our time with those good and honest hearts (John 4:35).

...behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

thetruthinlove.com

Beautiful Feet wrote:

Saul was told to go to a certain city and see a certain man and afterwards he would be told what he must do.(Acts 9:6)
Saul did not argue about where he had to go or who he had to see to learn truth,that is the attitude of a person with a good and honest heart. They will do what is needed to come to the knowledge of truth (1Tim.2:4).
Saul was told he opposed God. Saul was given instructions as to what he was to do. Saul was even required to go to a particular city and find a certain man while blind. Saul was willing to do so under those circumstances. Again we see the willingness of a good and honest heart (Luke 8:15). He had a determination to find and learn truth.
Today some people refuse to read a five minute lesson of truth. Even though that lesson will lead them to heaven.(John 17:17)(1Tim.2:4)(John 8:31,32)(2Tim.3:14-17).
If people are not willing and ready to accept truth,the bible says to let them alone (Mt.15:14).
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
There are many who will accept truth. Let us spend our time with those good and honest hearts (John 4:35).
...behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
thetruthinlove.com

Nothing here about following a pattern. And nothing that says your denomination is the true church.

Nova, you should learn how to fall in love with the Jesus of the Bible.

Nova, do you believe that Jesus is God incarnate? If you do then that is a creed. A creed is what you believe the bible teaches. To say you have no creeds is a lie.
You have heard the term "we have no creeds but the bible for so long you can't distinguish what the word means, look it up...

Beautiful Feet wrote:

<quoted text>
Hello Ronnie, I am a member of the church you can read about in the NT (Rom.16:16).
I am not a member of any denomination.
The church of Christ teaches we must go back to the pattern of the first century (the NT).
We are not saying the coc is better than other denominations.
We are saying that the Lord built one church (Mt.16:18,19)(Acts 20:28)(Eph.5:23). To go to heaven we must be in that one church according to (Eph.5:23). He is the Saviour of THE CHURCH (not them churches).
In the NT the church of God and the church of Christ are the very same church for the apostles taught the very same thing to each congregation (1Cor.4:17). What belongs to Christ belongs also to God for they are one in the same (John 1:1).
There were no denominations in the first century. So if you only use the word of God that argument will not hold water.
The very splitting and following after certain men was condemned (1Cor.1:10-13)(Mt.15:9)(Rom.16 :17-19).
The word of God commanded men then and now to speak as the oracles of God (1Peter 4:11),walk by the same rule (Phil 3:16-19) and spread the very same gospel (1Cor.1:21 ; 4:17).
Those commands have been all but forgotten in today's man-made churches.
We urge people to leave all creeds and doctrines of men and follow only Christ (John 15:10,14).
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.(1John 2:4)
thetruthinlove.com

We are not saying the church of Christ is better than other denominations,for the coC is not a denomination. We are urging all people who are in denominations to leave them for the Lords church which was established in Jerusalem (Rom.16:16).

The bible says that the Lord established one church in Jerusalem in 33AD and all other churches which began in another location,by man and hundreds of years later are all man-made churches and they do not please God (Isa.2:1-5)(Mt.15:13).

Denominations have no saving power for they teach error (1John 4:1-6)(Acts 17:11)(John 5:39). They teach error when it comes to the plan of salvation. They teach error when it come to the kind of worship that pleases God.

The church of Christ has no creed-books or manuals. We use the bible (NT) for our spiritual guide. Christ is our creed.

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!(Rom.10:14)



thetruthinlove.com

Roman Catholic - Boniface III - Rome - 606

Lutheran - Martin Luther - Germany - 1520

Episcopalian - Henry VIII - England -1534

Presbyterian - John Calvin - Switzerland -1536

Congregational - Robert Browne - England - 1550

Baptist - John Smythe - Holland -1607

Methodist - John Wesley - England - 1739

Latter Day Saints (Mormons)- Joseph Smith - America - 1830

Adventists - William Miller - America - 1830

Christian Scientist - Mary Baker Eddy - America - 1866

Jehovah's Witnesses - Charles T. Russell - America - 1872

None of the above denominations fit the prophecy scriptures for the Lords church.

1. Its beginning -(Isa.2:3)(Joel 2:28)(Luke 24:49)(Acts 1:5,8).

2. The person who built the church (Mt.16:18,19)(Acts 20;28)

3. Where the church was to begin (Isa.2:1-5)(Zech.13:1,2)(Luke 24:49)(Acts 1:5,8)(Acts 2).

thetruthinlove.com

Bobby wrote:

Nova, do you believe that Jesus is God incarnate? If you do then that is a creed. A creed is what you believe the bible teaches. To say you have no creeds is a lie.
You have heard the term "we have no creeds but the bible for so long you can't distinguish what the word means, look it up...

Show me where I said we have no creed.

thetruthinlove.com

Nova writes:
The church of Christ has no creed-books or manuals. We use the bible (NT) for our spiritual guide. Christ is our creed.

How dumb is that? You post all your creeds directly from your creed writers. You seldom ever have anything to say written in your own words. Really, you need to review your own post, it is clear to a child where your creeds come from.

Example: thetruthinlove.com headed up by Dave miller. Where does he get his creeds, from? brown trail school of preaching.

And where do you get the saying "we are new testament Christians only"? Not from the bible, it isn't there. You use tim 3:16 as you guide but the only scripture availabble at that time were old Testament scriptures. Get a grip!

Nova, if there are OT saints in heaven when you get there will they have been saved by Christ? What name will they wear?