Quote (bryce722 @ Feb 23 2011 04:09pm)
If when you said "church of christ" you meant a church that follows the word of god, so be it i agree.
However considering their is a denomination that is called "church of christ" i just want you to clarify more next time.
I know "church of christ" (the denomination) doesnt consider itself a denomination, the fact of the matter is that is it one.
Denomination is not found in the Bible, and the idea is based on sectarianism and division. Denomination is not simply an incidental name, but a choice to be divided from other believers who do not share the same idea and beliefs. Religious denominations are divisions among people who may all claim to follow the same Lord and same Bible but cannot agree because of their denomination.
As Jesus prayed for His apostles before His arrest, he said, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (John 17:20-21). Jesus wanted unity among His apostles, and among them also which shall believe on me through their word. He prayed for the unity of everyone who would believe the teaching of the apostles (whether through their direct preaching or through the written word of the Bible). This unity is not possible, however, as long as the divisive denominational system exists.
The denominational system has developed with various creeds, manuals, handbooks, hierarchies, and systems of organization, which have grown more and more complex over time. Years ago many men and women understood that the denominational system was a violation of God's will, and sought to leave the denominations so that they could restore the undenominational church of Christ of the New Testament. By being just Christians, without being associated with any denomination, they believed that they could better serve and obey God. That is why the modern day churches of Christ are undenominational. We have no creed but the Bible, no denominational or church hierarchy over the local congregation, and no authority for faith and practice other than the Bible. We are not Church of Christ Christians, but simply Christians.
There were seeds of denominationalism in the church at Corinth. Paul wrote, it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:11-12). Some at Corinth were not satisfied to be Christians only, but wanted to be Paulite Christians, or Apollosite Christians, or Cephasite Christians. Paul asked, Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1:13). They had divided the church into warring factions. Paul emphasized the seriousness of the situation by saying he was glad he had only baptized a few at Corinth, so few could claim to follow Him, instead of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). Of what denomination were Peter and Paul? They were just Christians, and not members of any denomination. The church of Christ, if it truly is the church we read of in the New Testament, cannot be a denomination and at the same time be pleasing to the Lord.
Consider for a moment - could a church go solely by the Bible and call itself "the Baptist Church?" "The Methodist Church?" The Lutheran Church? etc? Such is an impossibility, for those names never appear in the pages of holy writ in reference to the church Jesus came to establish. They are all man made churches. The name church of Christ is not a denominational designation. It means "the church belonging to Christ." The church belongs to Jesus (Matt 16:16-18); He died for it (Acts 20:28; Eph 5:25). Therefore, our name simply reflects our ownership (1 Cor 6:19-20).
Now for the second part, your question was, does a perons need to belong to the Church of Christ to be saved.
First of all, I do not have a church. The Lord has a church. In Matthew 16:16-19,
He said He would build His church. Acts 20:28 teaches
He purchased the church with His blood.
The Bible only speaks of one church. The term "church of Christ" is not an identity of ourselves as simply one denomination among the thousands now in existence. Rather, it identifies Christ's church, that is to say, the church that belongs to Christ. The one He came to build and for which He gave His life.
Acts 2:47 says
the Lord adds the saved to the church. Ephesians 1:22-23 and Colossians 1:18 teach there is one head (Christ) and one body (church).
Ephesians 5:23-33 utilizes 12 nouns and pronouns referring to the church, all of them singular.
Also, in this and other passages, the church is likened to the bride or the wife of Christ ( Rom 7:1-4). Therefore, to teach there is more than one church is to make Jesus a polygamist.
Please consider a few simple questions:
Can a man be saved without being reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18-20; Eph 2:16)?
According to these verses, where is the place of reconciliation?
Is the body of Christ the church (Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:18)?
How many bodies does Jesus have (Eph 4:4)?
According to Ephesians 5:23, of what is Jesus the Savior?
Now, must one be a member of the church of Christ in order to be saved?
You will probably deny most if not all of this even though it is plainly written by God.