Occasionally I am asked questions like “What church do you go to?” or “What church are you a member of?” Recently I was asked am I a member of ‘the church of Christ’. It is difficult to reply without some hesitation. It is not that I wish to be evasive, but the inquiry comes from a mindset that precludes an easy answer and if I offer a simple response, the inquirer will likely be left with the wrong impression. The difficulty revolves around this question, ‘What is the Church of Christ?’ because the phrase ‘Church of Christ’ means different things to different people. We must all understand the term ‘Church of Christ’ alike if we are to avoid misunderstanding.
To illustrate the challenge faced when talking about ‘the Church of Christ’, I would like to present three typical views.
The first is the Denominational View. This view understands that The Church of Christ is made up of those churches with the name ‘Church of Christ’. As such it is only one denomination among many and, together with all other denominations, they constitute the universal church, or the Body of Christ. According to this understanding the Church of Christ is no better or worse than the Baptist Church (in whichever form) or the Methodist Church or any other denominational grouping. This is understandable from a 
denominational perspective, as most denominational believers view their own ‘church’ (denomination) as simply one part of the Body of Christ regardless of how big or small it is. In today’s religious environment where denominationalism is presumed to be the only option, most people have a denominational view of the Church of Christ which is reflected in their questions.
Even among many who would describe themselves as members of the Church of Christ, there may be a consensus that the title is merely used to set them apart from other churches within Christendom. Maybe it is because there is a weariness with trying to maintain a nondenominational view of the Lord’s church. Or perhaps this attitude comes from members who have come from denominations; bringing their denominational mindset with them, thinking they simply left their previous church for a ‘better’ one. This would certainly explain the hostility of denominational pastors and preachers to what they see as ‘sheep stealing’ by the Church of Christ.
The second view is the Sectarian View. This view understands that the body of Christ is made up only of those churches with the name The Church of Christ. It is those churches, and them alone, which constitute the one, true church, the Body of Christ and people in other congregations cannot possibly be members of the Body of Christ. In general this position is held by Christians in churches of Christ, especially those viewing ‘Church of Christ’ as the official name for the Lord’s church and is evidenced by their exclusive use of the expression ‘Church of Christ’ to the restriction of all other descriptions. They may go so far as to draw ‘lines of fellowship’ and identify themselves on the basis of one issue; e.g. if their congregation is opposed to church support of human institutions, then it must be a faithful congregation. In particular those who identify themselves the ‘International Church of Christ’ (ICOC) can be seen to demonstrate this sectarian attitude. They demand allegiance to one head church, formerly located in Boston, and they view any church that refuses allegiance to be apostate. As can be seen, this view is often held by those trying to maintain a non-denominational view of the Church of Christ, yet react to one extreme by going to the opposite.
The third view may be classed the Biblical View. Within the pages of the New Testament the term ‘church of Christ’ is used to denote all Christians. This is the church to which Jesus referred in Matthew 16:18, when He said, “I will build My church.” His church therefore is made up of all the saved, both living and dead (Hebrews 12:22-24). And clearly, Christ spoke of establishing only one church, i.e. His. That universal church is called the ‘body’ of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), and Paul knew of and preached only one “body” (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore, in God’s scheme of redemption, there is and can be only one church!
Scripture teaches that Christ’s church began on the Day of Pentecost, in Jerusal
em, following the death, resurrection and ascension into heaven of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:1-47). Interestingly, a person cannot ‘join’ the church by their own volition. Rather, they are ‘added’ by the Lord Himself when He saves them (Acts 2:41, 47). It is God who places a person into His church, and the Bible knows nothing of the modern concept of joining the church of your choice. Unlike today’s denominations, where records are kept of who is and who is not a (fully paid up) member, the Bible states that the Lord knows those who are truly His (Hebrews 12:23; 2Timothy 2:19), and the Lord’s church consists of all the saved (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Moreover, if the Lord adds someone to His church when they are saved, it is self-evident one cannot be saved and not be in the church of Christ. Jesus is the Savior of the ‘body’, which is His church (Ephesians 5:23). His church cannot be divided (or ‘denominated’), for there is no earthly organization to divide. Those who would seek to divide the Lord’s church through doctrine, conduct, etc., are simply cut off by the Lord Himself. As we have seen it is He who adds to his church and it is also He who removes the lamp stand (Revelation 2:5) i.e. a local congregation can forfeit its right to being part of the church of Christ.
The Lord’s church does not have one ‘official’ name or term which the Holy Spirit uses exclusively to describe the church that we read of in the New Testament. Various terms are used there, to describe that group of Christians who belong to Christ, which include:
My church – Mt.16:18
The church – Mt.18:17; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:26; Rom.16:1, 5, 23; Eph.5:23
The church of God – 1Cor.1:2
The church in God – 1Thess.1:1; 2Thess.1:1
Churches of Christ – Rom.16:16
Churches in Christ – Gal.1:22
Churches of God in Christ – 1Thess.2:14
The kingdom of God – Mt.13:24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47
The body of Christ – Eph.1:22-23; Col.1:18
The household (family) of God – Eph.2:19; 1Tim.3:15-16; 1Pet.4:17
The bride of Christ – 2Cor.11:2; Rev.21:9
The temple of God – 1Cor.3:16-17; Eph.2:21
The way – Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22
The church of the firstborn – Heb.12:23
The sect of the Nazarenes – Acts 24:5
Who might hold and practice such a view of the Scriptural church of Christ? Christians who oppose anything that leads to a denominational mindset and division within the Lord’s church (1Corinthians 1:10). Christians who refuse to wear any other name except their Saviour’s (Acts 4:12). Christians who are determined to honour God only by holding true to the apostles’ doctrine revealed in the New Testament (Acts 2:42; 2John 9).
What is the Biblical ‘Church of Christ’? It is not a denomination among 
other denominations, nor is it some sect identified by one exclusive name. It is the Lord's church, the church of Christ, as defined and revealed in the New Testament.
So in response to our original questions, “What church do you go to?” or “What church are you a member of?” I would usually respond, "I am a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, and member of His body, the church you read about in the New Testament."
We strive to serve and follow Jesus without denominationalism. In view of our Saviour’s prayer for unity in John 17:20-21, and Paul’s condemnation of religious division in 1Corinthians 1:10-13, we pray that you will too.
