church

[scipii]

here is how i understand it
tell me if i am correct or wrong


the church of Christ is the only church a christian should go to

Rom. 16: 16: "The churches of Christ salute you."

The churches of Christ
not the churches of whatever the heck we want to name our groups

the church is named after its head, Christ; not after its membership.

the gospel nowhere speaks of congregations as christian churches.


well that's how i see it
and again the question is
am i correct or wrong? please explain your view

[Tanya~]

In the New Testament times they didn't actually "name" churches like it's done today. When Paul wrote that to the Romans, he was referring to all the churches. When Paul wanted to mention a specific church he would designate it by the city where the believers lived -- the believers in Ephesus for example, were called "the church at Ephesus." Often the New Testament refers to "the church of God" or "the church of God which is at... [name of city].

[Richard H]

Hi scipii, :)

Tanya is right. Let me say it another way, though.
Two answers (which agree) can be better than one.

The "church" is the believers.

Today, the "Church of God" or the "Lutheran Church" indicates a specific denomination which has particular doctrine (beliefs) in addition to basic Christian doctrine.

These denominations (or groups) make up the whole "church" or church of God.

Richard

[takenote]

..... would like to add to this subject. The word "church" in the Bible is the greek word ekklēsia, and it is "the ones called out to a meeting". The word alone has nothing to do with anything "religious". so .. the "church of Christ" would be "the people called out(of the world) to Christ". as such it could be said that only the "church of Christ" are the only Christians, going to heaven, saved exc.
also when people go to a football game it could be said they are "at church".

mark

[watchinginawe]

here is how i understand it
tell me if i am correct or wrong


the church of Christ is the only church a christian should go to

Rom. 16: 16: "The churches of Christ salute you."

The churches of Christ
not the churches of whatever the heck we want to name our groups

the church is named after its head, Christ; not after its membership.

the gospel nowhere speaks of congregations as christian churches.


well that's how i see it
and again the question is
am i correct or wrong? please explain your viewHello scipii, thanks for bringing your question here.

I guess I would be careful with trying to be "correct or wrong" on this topic as a seeker. Your use of "Church of Christ" and "Chrisitan Church" speaks to specific examples. The difference between these two congregations might be very slight (intruments allowed in music or not) and to judge them and the people that attend these churches simply by "name only" would be a mistake.

Your suggestion of where a Christian should attend holds the expectation that Christians could not be found elsewhere. Likewise, you might be suggesting that Christians aren't really Christians if they attend a Christian Church.

The bottom line is this. You will not become a Christian by choosing the right Church (local congregation). I can see how some of the teaching out there would lead one to conclude that to be "added" to the Church of Christ must happen in a particular manner and among those who use a specific name. However, I hope you will hesitate and decide to place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour instead of a "Church name" or a "method" of becoming a Christian.

God Bless!

[scipii]

thanks takenote
and to all of you thanks for your time and kind help