Where In The Bible Will I Find:

The Kingdom, The Body And The Church Of Christ?

There is much said in the Bible concerning the kingdom, body and the church of Christ. These three terms, plus several more, are applied to the one and same institution. They are synonymous in referring to that great blood bought house of God (Acts 20:28).

As there are several terms that apply to Jesus: Savior, Christ, Chief Shepherd, Door, and many more, then there are several terms that apply to His church. And it IS His church, for He said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18), and He did, as we find on the birthday of His church. He is adding those being saved to His church (Acts 2:47).

The church of Christ has no divinely given title, and to fabricate some name and apply it to His church is adding to the Word of God. Those doing so will be condemned (Rev. 22 :18). The apostle John declared that he was our brother in the kingdom (Rev. 1:9). Also, Paul refers to the church of Christ in many terms (Heb. 12: 23; I Cor. 1:2; 12:27; Rom. 16:16), and says that He has "…translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Col. 1:13). His fellow-workers were in the "kingdom of God" (Col. 4:11). He taught that Jesus is now "King of Kings" reigning over the kingdom of God, and upon His second coming He will not set foot upon the earth but all the redeemed will meet Him in the air and then He will deliver up the kingdom to His Father (I Thess. 4:17; I Cor. 15:24).

As Paul refers to the church of Christ in several terms he makes it very plain that there is only ONE body (Eph. 4:4), arid that ONE body is the church (Col. 1:18). The church of our Lord has no headquarters on earth, each local church is autonomous, there is no jurisdiction of one Church over another, one congregation of the Lord's people has no authority over another congregation. Each church is overseen by its own elders and are accountable only to Christ who is the head of the church (Col. 1:18). The doctrine of the church is fixed, it has been delivered by Jesus and His apostles and it cannot be changed (Gal. 1:8-9).

Men and customs may change with times but "the Word of God stands for ever" (Isa. 40:8). "Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away" (Luke 21:33). Paul established many congregations of the Lord's church, and he referred to all of them as "the churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16). This is not placing a title or name to the Lord's church, but it denotes possession or ownership, and it should never be referred to as "my church," Or "our church", because we did not die for it, or purchase it with our blood.

Denominational churches were started by men, they are named and controlled by men, their headquarters are on earth, they have an earthly head and are subjected only to that head. Christ never died, or gave His blood for any denominational church. He is King reigning over His kingdom, His body, His church.