‘Am I a member of the true church of Christ?’

March 11, 2008 Matthew Keedy Clifton Bible 'Quick Notes'

After reading Mark Lindley’s article, What is the Church of Christ? , a sincere reader asks:

I am not a member of a labeled Church of Christ, but a non-denominational church (although I understand that COC is not to be considered denominational) so according to the write up, I am considered part of the true Church of Christ, even though my church does not use that technical affiliation, correct? Our church has a solely biblical foundation and we believe also in the repentance and remission of sins and public confession of Christ through baptism. So to better word my question: Do you consider me part of the true Church of Christ, someone who will inherit the Kingdom of God?

It always warms the heart to receive sincere, soul-searching questions from our readers. The one above is an especially good question, and deserves more space than can be afforded in the “comments” section, so we will include a full discussion of this question below.

First, we must consider one extremely important point: Only God has the right to say who is a Christian, and who is not. He has made plain in His word how one becomes a Christian, and that is what the church of Christ teaches.I am glad to hear that the people with whom you worship understand that a believer must repent and confess Jesus publicly as the Savior, and must be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). If a repentant, confessing believer understands that baptism is for the remission of sins, and is necessary in order to be saved, and is not doing it for some other reason (to become a member of a denomination, as a “witness” that they are already saved, etc.), then he or she has been scripturally baptized. It is at this point that a person is made a Christian, Jesus Christ Himself adding that person to the church (Acts 2:41,47). Having been added to the church by Jesus, that person is a Christian, no matter what a man may say.

Second, we must realize that being a Christian is more than being baptized for the remission of sins. One must be born again (John 3:3-5; Rom. 6:3-8), but one must also live and worship faithfully (Rev. 2:10; Col. 1:21-23; 1 Tim. 4:16; Heb. 2:1). Jesus tells us that God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). We must abide in the Spirit, as well as the Truth, in order to be pleasing to God.

In response to your sincere question, I would say that those who repent and are baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) because they believe and openly confess that Jesus is the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:16) are Christians and are members of the church that Jesus built, the church of Christ.

A third thing we must realize, though, is that the New Testament was often written to Christians who were erring in some manner. Paul said in Romans 6:17 that the Christians there had obeyed from the heart the “form of doctrine” to which they had been delivered. That being said, there is a manner of worship and life that God commands that is required for His people. The Corinthian church, for instance, was straying from the “form of doctrine” in many respects, and Paul wrote to correct them.

So, in the final analysis, we have to admit that:

1. Only God can say who is a Christian, and He has commanded that only those who have believed, repented, confessed Jesus as the Son of the Living God, and have been baptized into Christ for the purpose of remission of sins can rightfully be said to be members of the church of Christ. And all who have obeyed the Lord in this biblical manner are Christians, whether the building they worship in says “church of Christ” on the outside or not.

2. Christians who have been taught the truth and fail to worship according to the truth to which they were delivered (John 4:24; Rom. 6:17) are erring Christians. So it is very possible that one can be scripturally baptized and added to the church of Christ by Jesus Himself, and then immediately go into error by worshipping in a way God has not commanded, or by being part of a denominational organization which is not operating according to God’s commands.

There are many groups today who claim to be “non-denominational,” but still do not worship according to the New Testament practice. For instance, does your non-denominational group have elders who shepherd the congregation (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5)? Is the worship music vocal only (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)? Do they partake of the Lord’s supper every Lord’s day (Acts 20:7)? Are they abiding by the New Testament command that only men can lead and teach in the assembly (1 Tim. 2:12)? All of these things are part of the “form of doctrine” to which we were delivered.

If you wonder about salvation according to the Bible, and about New Testament worship, compare what your congregation teaches and practices with what the Bible teaches. The Searching for Truth DVD is an excellent online (and free) resource to study in this regard. I invite you to study this in your own home.

Someone may further ask about those who have been scripturally baptized, but have not been taught how to worship properly. I sincerely believe that those who study can see the inconsistencies with what they practice and what the Bible teaches. However, I am content to allow God to judge those who have been baptized into Christ for scriptural reasons, but are for some reason unaware of New Testament worship practices.

It is important to learn to worship Him as He desires, and not as man desires, though. My advice would be that if you have been baptized scripturally, but worship among a group that does not worship scripturally, to find a group of Christians who do worship according to spirit and truth.

I pray that those with whom you worship adhere not only to these characteristics which are distinctive of the Lord’s church, but all the precepts of God’s living and powerful word. If there is anything I can do to assist you further, please feel free to contact me.

May God bless you richly in all things according to His word.

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