What is the name of the ONE church? - Christian Forum - Bible Forum - Christian Religion Bible Study Forum

D. White · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-08, 05:04 PM

If the Bible is true (and it is!) then what is the ONE church that Christ founded and be the Chief Cornerstone of? Any answer must be by God's Word...

broSonnie · #2 (**permalink**) 04-08-08, 12:08 PM

It is Christ's church...

Mat 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.

We also know that the church is His body...

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

And as you stated... there is only one church (His body)...

Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--

D. White · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-08, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroSonnie

It is Christ's church...

Mat 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.

We also know that the church is His body...

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

And as you stated... there is only one church (His body)...

Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--

Okay...now that was a biblical answer. That tells me what the church that Christ built as a whole was. Can anyone tell me what were the churches in each location (or city) called by using scripture and letting only the Bible speak??

Laura · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-08, 08:16 AM

Acts 20:28
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God which is at Corinth

Romans 16:16
The churches of Christ greet you.

D. White · #5 (**permalink**) 04-09-08, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura

Acts 20:28
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God which is at Corinth

Romans 16:16
The churches of Christ greet you.

Tying in the first two together, who is really spoken about here...to whom does the church belong...in other words, who is the husband of the bride?

Romans was always clear as to the name of each congregation at the location...and the first two justify that. Anyone else?

David Hersey · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-08, 12:34 PM

I think we should simply call it what it is.

It is the body of Christ.
Romans 7:4
1 Corinthians 10:16
1 Corinthians 12:27
Ephesians 4:12

Colossians 2:17
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

The body is of Christ. In scripture the body is called the church. Colossians 1:18

If we are to call it what it is, and I think we should. Then the very best name for it would be the church of Christ.

The body that is of Christ, the head...., the church...., of...., Christ. It is not just a name. It is a designator of ownership which states what it is and to whom it belongs all at the same time.

It is a fitting name and scriptural too. Romans 16:16

D. White · #7 (**permalink**) 04-11-08, 12:46 PM

Now that is what I waited to hear!

D. White · #8 (**permalink**) 05-03-08, 09:13 AM

I am really seeing that no one from some denomination (that has said their church is the one church) has posted here. Maybe because no biblical proof??

Laura · #9 (**permalink**) 05-03-08, 09:34 AM

I may be speaking incorrectly here, but my understanding, at least of what *some* denominations believe, is that the one universal church is made up of all denominations, so each denomination is only part of the universal church (which is what denominations means anyway) and not the full "one true church". They use as proof text the passage where Jesus says He is the vine and we are the branches, with the "we" being a denomination. Perhaps a discussion on why this is not a Biblical concept would be good?

D. White · #10 (**permalink**) 05-03-08, 10:43 PM

Well, when I say the universal church, I mean it as the entire church of Christ (made up of all the members of the body of the world). And then we have the local congregations that are just as the letter to the Romans meant...in Romans 16:16...the churches of Christ send greetings.

But as for that passage they like to quote so much...let me address that in a new thread. Thanks for the ideas!

ho'adelphos · #11 (**permalink**) 11-20-08, 01:10 AM

Actually, it starts here...God created man in his own image

Quote:

Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Now, I am just doing a quick reply here at this time, but there are a lot of scripture to tie in, and I will post them if folks here are interested in how the church of Christ is connected to God making man in His image...and why only the name of Christ is permitted in the name of the church.

mountravlr · #12 (**permalink**) 11-20-08, 08:34 AM

As previously demonstrated there are numerous descriptives of the church, but Matt. 16:18 provides the best one, i.e. "My church". So we are accurate in using the descriptive: the Lord's church. Rom. 16:16 is also an accurate descriptive, as are all of the others. I'm not sure what the point would be in seeking greater specificity.

ho'adelphos · #13 (**permalink**) 11-20-08, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura

I may be speaking incorrectly here, but my understanding, at least of what *some* denominations believe, is that the one universal church is made up of all denominations, so each denomination is only part of the universal church (which is what denominations means anyway) and not the full "one true church". They use as proof text the passage where Jesus says He is the vine and we are the branches, with the "we" being a denomination. Perhaps a discussion on why this is not a Biblical concept would be good?

Satan has always taken a portion of God's word and redirects it to distort it into a lie...he always has and always will...look at the temptations of Eve in Genesis 3, and of Jesus in Matthew 4...in each case Satan simply takes God's word and subtly yet totally distorts it.

According to denomination definition of the vine and branches: Jesus is the vine, denominations are the branches, and christians are their fruit. In that last comment we find the clergy-laity segregation of the body of Christ and thereby violating the biblical concept of the priesthood of all believers, a perversion in and of itself. Here is what Jesus actually said ...

Quote:

John 15:5-6 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Here Jesus says that He is the vine and that each person (an individual christian) are the branches, thus the denominations are proclaiming a satanic lie. The only fruit described in the NT is found in

Quote:

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:16-17 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

It the fruit of the Spirit within the christian (the fruit that as a branch we each must produce or face being pruned off and burned) is what draws others to Christ.This fruit of our is not new believers, that even some of our own brethren say, but rather the fruit of the Spirit that draws men to Christ, some of whom become christians.

ho'adelphos · #14 (**permalink**) 11-20-08, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ho'adelphos

Actually, it starts here...God created man in his own image Now, I am just doing a quick reply here at this time, but there are a lot of scripture to tie in, and I will post them if folks here are interested in how the church of Christ is connected to God making man in His image...and why only the name of Christ is permitted in the name of the church.

I have run into a snag. I need to write some hebrew script on paper (scripts from the time of moses and another of the time of abraham) and scan it into a small jpg or gif to show what this means...it only works in hebrew. At this time, as a new member, I cannot use a link to use off site images in my posts, nor simply give a url to see it at my site - I am a new member and do not have such privilages at this time. Thus I have to wait to finish this post.

(Moderators: please do not rush my membership status here. Even if you like my posts, you still need to take your time to make sure that my posts are consistantly sound with the scriptures.)

D. White · #15 (**permalink**) 11-20-08, 06:50 PM

We will....keep on posting though.

ho'adelphos · #16 (**permalink**) 11-21-08, 11:23 PM

The ekklesia ... the called out ... that is who we are. Thus the church of Christ is the ekklesia christos ... the called out of by the anointed one. Iesous christos in greek, yehoshua messiah in hebrew, yeshua messiaka in aramiac. All three give a raw translation as anointed savior.

Quote:

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

God gave His approval in our having the name of Christ - christianos: christians.

When a man takes a bride, a woman whom he has called out from all the others, she is referred to as the bride of so-and-so, showing the right of mutual exclusive possession as the description of a relationship. Thus the bride of Christ is the church of Christ. (When I can include images of hebrew script I can show how this plays a part in our being created in the image of God.) The bride traditionally takes the surname of the groom, thus I am "Charles, a Christian" - I thereby have taken the name of my Anointed Savior Jesus Christ - as the core of my identity.

Please read the following carefully - there are dots to be connected:

How and when did this take place?

Quote:

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Matthew 19:7-8 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

1 Corinthians 6:15-17 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Ephesians 5:23-32 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Romans 6:3-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Just as a groom is joined with his bride, the two becoming one flesh (one body) - when I was baptised I joined with Christ on the cross, was crucified with Him, and rose in a new life joined with Him, becoming part of His body as one flesh...a member of His church, and take His name and only His name - christian. I am a christian only ...taking only His name. Why?

Quote:

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Why is only taking the name of Christ so crucial?

Quote:

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For 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. 12 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. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Today the denominations say "I am a baptist, I am a methodist, or I am a Roman Catholic"...sounds like what Paul was condemning doesn't it. In modern times, it has become "fashionable" for a bride to hyphenate her maiden name with her groom's name, such as "Jane Lahtee-Doe", disdaining the tradition of only taking the groom's name. Thus, the denominations demonstrate their true lack of reverence by refusing to only take the name of Christ as their name.

Quote:

Ephesians 5:31-33 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

(By refusing His name they are denying His name.) But the problem is that there is no salvation under any other name than that of Christ.

D. White · #17 (**permalink**) 11-23-08, 12:34 AM

Notice that they must recognize the truth as we are now seeing "Baptist church of Christ", or "Lutheran church of Christ"??? Interesting tat they wear hypenated names in thier marriage...like some women do? Not taking the name of the husband as a Christian does?

Marianinark · #18 (**permalink**) 11-23-08, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D. White

Notice that they must recognize the truth as we are now seeing "Baptist church of Christ", or "Lutheran church of Christ"??? Interesting tat they wear hypenated names in thier marriage...like some women do? Not taking the name of the husband as a Christian does?

That is interesting. I did not know they were doing that.

D. White · #19 (**permalink**) 11-27-08, 12:41 AM

Even denominations recognize there is something in a name!

Don Gelles · #20 (**permalink**) 11-28-08, 10:12 PM

We seem to be blending two different studies. The thread began with a question regarding the name of the church. We have also included the name members of the church wear. These are two different studies.

So back to the point of the thread..... The Bible gives several biblical designation for the church. Just to name a few:

1. The Church of God: 1 Corinthians 1:2
2. Church of The First Born: Hebrews 12:23
3. Churches of Christ: Romans 16:16
4. Body of Christ: Colossians 1:24
5. Bride of Christ: Revelation 21:2
6. House of God \ Church of the Living God: 1 Timothy 3:15
7. My Church: Matthew 16:18
8. The Church: Acts 8:1

The "Baptist Church" is an non-biblical designation for the church. So is "Four Square, Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal, Nazarene, Seventh Day... you get the point. These denominations need to cease their unscriptural designations, disband their denominations and be obedient to the gospel plan of salvation for them to have any hope of salvation. I for one, pray they will... soon!

Kindly,
Don

D. White · #21 (**permalink**) 11-29-08, 07:48 PM

Excellent point, Don!