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The Church: Name and Number
This lesson is familiar to the faithful Bible student but must be taught to all the world. Many do not know these things and many who know them do not respect them. Familiarity in no way minimizes the importance of repetition of basic truth. Departure from the truth is made possible when fundamental matters are taken for granted and are not studied and taught consistently and repeatedly. Information concerning the Lord's church is often so distorted and misrepresented that is it not too much to say that God's church is the misunderstood church.
We are aware that there now exists many churches in the world, literally hundreds upon hundreds. They vary in name, doctrine, faith, practice, message and in a multitude of lesser ways. They have similarities, but are divided one from another by major differences. Denominationalism is the prominent characteristic of what is called "Christendom" today, with its mass of chaotic confusion, division and contradiction which is in evidence because of the existence of so many churches.
Sometimes people are inclined to accept something as true and acceptable simply because it has been that way a long time. We are glad that medical science has not been deceived that way or we would still be ignorantly bleeding" people to treat high blood pressure. The age of things in religion does not necessarily prove it right or wrong by itself any more than does size, power, finances or degree of acceptance. Time has aided in the development of attitudes such as one church being as good as another; that it does not matter to which church one belongs, that the various churches are but branches of the Lord's church; that God accepts the existence of many churches, that names are unimportant But all such thinking is contradictory to Biblical revelation
One major problem among religious people trying to come to a knowledge of the truth is the desire to make God fit what exists rather than changing what exists to fit God Are we trying to convert God to men, or men to God? We should be interested only in what the Bible teaches and be content therewith, seeing it claims all sufficiency. This lesson shall show that the Bible teaches there is one church and find how Scripture identifies it.
Singular
Matthew 16:18, ". . . upon this rock I will build my church These are the words of Jesus Notice the word used, church, which is singular in number. He did not promise to build many varying churches. Ephesians 1:22,23, 'And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all " The church is the body of Christ. Colossians 1:18, "And he is the head of the body, the church," Ephesians 4:4, "There is one body." I Corinthians 12:20, "But now are there many members, but one body." As surely as there is one body with one head there is one church All of these passages harmonize in that central theme. How can anyone honestly read the Scriptures and conclude otherwise? John 10:16, "and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." We have no problem recognizing there is one shepherd, who is Christ. Why do people have a problem recognizing there is one fold? If there is more than one fold, would not this allow for more than one shepherd?
The church is presented in the Bible as the family of God. I Timothy 3:15, ". . the house of God, which is the church of the living God." The term "house" refers to God's household or family, just as it does in Acts ten and Acts sixteen with reference to the family of Cornelius or the family of the jailor. in giving qualifications for elders Paul wrote in I Timothy 1:3, "one that ruleth well his own house," having reference to his own family. The Lord has a house, which is a spiritual family of brothers and sisters in Christ. It is the church and always spoken of in this sense in the singular.
Who Are The Branches?
"But the various churches are branches of the one church," some are heard to contend. If that be true the burden of proof rests on those who so contend. They have a problem with the verses teaching oneness we have quoted. We ask, "Where is Scripture to teach such a position?" if this is true it makes unity unnecessary even though the Lord prayed for unity and Paul condemned division, It might end a lot of religious strife because then everybody would agree that it makes no difference what you teach, practice or believe. Is the unity taught in the Bible nothing but an agreement to disagree, unity in diversity, each going his own way with equal authority, benefit and approval? If so, wherein does that differ from division? Nobody desires unity and oneness more than faithful Christians. But dare we attempt to have "unity" at the sacrifice of truth?
The only passage to my knowledge that any have ever attempted to use to find Biblical support for the divisions of denominationalism and that many churches are merely branches of the Lord's church is John 15:1-6 where the branches are specifically identified as people rather than denominations. Denominations have no Biblical authority for their existence. Where is the passage? Jesus said, "If a man abide not in me..." Nothing even suggests He speaks of various and differing churches; certainly not denominations that did not exist until nearly six hundred years after the Lord's church came into existence on Pentecost.
The apostles and early evangelists wrestled with many problems in the early church, and while division was one of them, this thing of denominationalism was not present. They simply did not exist, but the Lord's church did. Therefore I know that the Lord's church is not composed of many different denominations. it is reasonable to think that the same vine could produce grapes, pumpkins, oranges, apples, watermelons and bananas at the same time? It is equally unreasonable to think Christ is the founder of all the contradicting denominational bodies.
One Church
The conclusion is inescapable if you teach and believe the Bible. There is one church. Any church that contends for more than one church cannot be teaching the truth regarding the church. Those who contend for one church are teaching what the Bible affirms.
When the Bible does speak of a plurality of churches it uses the word in the sense of local congregations, local churches. Romans 16:16 is an example, "The churches of Christ salute you." Revelation 1:4-7 is another, ". . the seven churches which are in Asia." Also we read in Galatians 1:2, "churches of Galatia." These were not different denominations, but local congregations in different localities that taught, believed, practiced and worshiped the same way, following the same rule and authority; being one in the essentials such as government, doctrine, work and worship.
Do Names Really Matter?
There is also a popular idea in religious circles that there is nothing in a name, when you speak religiously. It is true that wearing the right name is not all there is that is important. But the notion that what name you wear is unimportant is not true in religion or any other activity and realm. Nor do people believe there is nothing in a name, even religiously, although to justify denominationalism they will say that.
God evidently considers names important. Genesis 5:2 He called Adam by his name on the day he was created. He gave and changed the names of Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel. He even designated the name that John the Baptist would wear. He specified the name of His Son. "Thou shalt call his name Jesus." Christ was prophesied to have the name Emmanuel, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, all found in Isaiah chapters seven and nine. If you think there is nothing in a name then you have a different viewpoint from God.
In other areas we recognize the value, even the necessity of correct names. This is true in business, naming your children, names on checks, trademarks, etc. Would you name you child Jezebel or Judas? Why some consider names unimportant is not difficult to discover. It is because the religious denominational world has a wide variety of names and in the desire to defend and retain these unbiblical names they have adopted the foolishness of contending there is nothing in a name. But they do not really believe it themselves because they are insistent on wearing their particular denominational name to the exclusion of all others. Consistency is not apparent in denominationalism.
As The Oracles
While the church is never called by a proper title in the New Testament, it is given several significant descriptions and identifications. More often than not it is simply called "the church." After all, since there is only one, why identify it with divisive denominational terms?
I Corinthians 1:2, the church is called "the church of God." We have read several places where it is called the body of Christ, the house of God. Romans 16:16, referring to several congregations, we find the phrase, "churches of Christ." All of these terms show possession; showing that the church belongs to God and Christ. "The church of the living God" is found in I Timothy 3:15, and "the church of the first born" in Hebrews 12:23. if there was only one automobile in all the world, one would not have to specify the brand to identify the automobile. Since there is only one church that belongs to God it can be identified simply as "the church" and that should be sufficient. It would be sufficient, except men have organized and invented their own denominational churches to the confusion of the entire religious scene.
The redeemed people who make up the church are called saints, disciples, and the proper name "Christian." "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26). The same name is found in I Peter 4:16 and Acts 26:28. By this name we honor the founder, builder, foundation and Savior of the church, Jesus Christ. "Christian" means one who is of Christ. This name was given by God as Isaiah prophesied He would give His people a new name (Isaiah 62:2). The word "called" shows that Deity gave the term.
Of Other Names
Names that give distinction to men (Luther, John the Baptist, etc.) or doctrines, governments, or anything else are without Biblical authority. Some might complain, "You want the name Christian just for yourself " That is not true It is true we only want the name "Christian," but not just for self. We would that all people everywhere would be content to wear this Biblical name and exclude the many divisive and unbiblical denominational names that men have accumulated to themselves. It is always right to "speak as the oracles of God " (I Peter 4.11).
One additional point with respect to wearing titles that is the practices of clergymen of the denominational world. That also is without authority, even contrary to the teaching of Christ There are those who must heap to themselves some distinction above others in the "church" with titles that set them apart as being "somewhat." They call themselves Reverend and many other self glorifying titles. Jesus taught, "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Yet, men will wear religious titles of Father. Can you imagine Peter, Paul, James and John being called Reverend, the Right Reverend, Holy Father, or some of the other titles men heap upon themselves? Did not Jesus teach against the attempt to exalt oneself above others? (Matthew 20:24-28)
Even the term "minister" is riot a title and should not be So used. The word simply designates one who serves I prefer being called simply a preacher rather than anything that would be used as a title. Preacher simply defines my work I get disgustingly amused as some who harp against the church for being "traditional" but who used descriptive terms of work as titles They will write about Bishop This, Elder That, Pastor Somewhat The rage today is to be called Doctor Something. There is a sickening mania among some to give everybody some title. We have seen some church letterheads with a list of titled staff personnel that would rival any corporation in the country This is a display of arrogance and violation gone to seed.
The terms elder, brother, sister, preacher, minister, etc define the work involved but are not titles and ought not be so used. Job wrote, "Let me not, I pray you, respect any man's person, neither will I give flattering titles unto any man. For I know not to give flattering titles." (Job 32:21,22). We need more Jobs. Servants of God who work for Him do not seek nor allow such things concerning themselves.
Such then is the teaching of the Bible regarding the number of churches Jesus built and the identifications used for that church. There is sufficient beauty in truth and it ought not be marred with the ideas, doctrines, practices, inventions and ambitions from men. We have no right to take liberties with God s revelation, but we have the privilege of conforming ourselves to it Let us be busy in doing just that.