Until someone inquired, I do not recall having heard of the term “Associated Churches of Christ.” Upon looking up the phrase on the Internet, I became aware of this phrase which has been appropriated by at least a couple of different religious groups to themselves—one group associated with the Disciples of Christ and one group associated with the Pentecostal movement. Neither of those represent the churches of Christ (Romans 16:16).
From the middle of the 19th century in the United States of America through the beginning of the 20th century, internal strife over the missionary society, adding instrumental music to Christian worship, open fellowship and other doctrines troubled the churches of Christ, often also known as the Christian Church. In 1905, the US government recognized a distinction between the churches of Christ and the Christian Church. The latter introduced and retained the missionary society and instrumental music in worship. In 1968, the Christian Church split into the Christian Church and the Disciples of Christ. They both retained instrumental music in worship, but the former gave up the missionary society. Both maintained additional denominational practices, such as the use of religious titles.
From the middle of the 19th century onward, the Christian Church and the Disciples of Christ continued to refer to themselves as the Church of Christ. The foundation stones of some older church buildings still have inscribed on them “Church of Christ,” though they may be occupied by the Christian Church, the Disciples of Christ or some other religious group.
One of the identifying characteristics of the church of the Bible is bearing a biblical descriptor or name: “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16), “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2), “house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). However, having a biblical name is not the only identifying characteristic of the church over which Jesus Christ is Head, for which He died and for which He will return someday to retrieve. Christian worship must be authorized, such as “singing” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) and observance of the Lord’s Supper weekly on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Each congregation is independent and when fully organized served by elders, deacons, ministers, teachers and every member (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
Even churches of Christ can apostatize. The apostle Paul warned of a falling away (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Five of the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2-3 were rebuked by Jesus Christ for departures and failures; they were in danger of no longer being recognized as churches belonging to Jesus Christ.
Irrespective of what a religious group may call itself or what its practices may be, the church over which Jesus Christ is the Head is depicted upon the inspired pages of the Bible—especially in the New Testament. Each congregation belonging to our Lord is independent rather than governed by an international headquarters. The church that Jesus built (not a building) relies on God’s Word alone for its doctrine and practice.
