All kinds of ideas are put forth when the subject of the church comes up in religious circles. Some view the church as a “social club,” while others view it like a grocery store – you pick the one that just feels right and where you can get the most for your money. Sadly, some fail to even consider the church from the Bible or consider the church in light of God’s design and demands. Because of this, the church is often looked at as nonessential, unimportant or optional. However, when one views the church through the eye of inspiration, one can see what the church of Christ is all about.
Firstly, the church of Christ is all about liberation. Please do not misunderstand; it is God alone Who pardons and liberates mankind from his sin. The church does not save, but rather the church is where the saved are placed and reside. Scripture abounds with this fact. When Paul wrote to the shepherds of Ephesus, he reminded them that the church was “purchased” with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; cf., 1 Peter 1:18-19). Christ liberated mankind when He “gave Himself up” (Ephesians 5:25). The essentiality of the church is clearly seen in her purchase price! One cannot truly be liberated unless Christ liberates him or her and places one’s saved soul in the church where Christ is Head of the body (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18), where Christ is King of the kingdom (1 Timothy 6:15; Colossians 1:13) and where Christ is the Groom married to His beloved bride (Ephesians 5:22-32). Thus, we are not liberated by the church but rather liberated by Christ and placed into His church. If I am liberated, then I am in His church; if I truly am in His church, then I have been liberated from sin. The church of Christ is all about liberation!
Secondly, the church of Christ is all about connection. One of the most wonderful and most difficult truths about the church is that it is made up of connections between people that normally may have had no connections with each other. That is wonderful because every personality, background and unique individual adds to the make-up of the body. This is most difficult because personality, background and individuals can separate and divide folks. Thus, it behooves each individual in the Lord’s church to strive to love one another with a tender heart (Ephesians 4:32), to diligently work to see each other’s perspective (Matthew 7:12) and to be patient with each other as we all grow and develop at different levels and in various stages. Another awesome thing about the connections in the church is that we all have a divine standard for dealing with disagreements (Matthew 18:15-20). No family is without disagreements and disputes, but a true family never quits on any of its members. The church of Christ in the first century was made up of all different backgrounds and personalities, and yet, it was written by the inspired historian, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42); “And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46). We must understand that even in these connections there were problems that arose (Acts 6:1-6; Acts 8:1ff, et al.), but those problems were handled properly, and unity resulted. In the world, connections are severed daily because the world has no real idea about relationships and connections. However, thanks be to God and His Word because the church of Christ is all about connections!
Thirdly, the church of Christ is all about expansion. God’s plan for the church was never to be stagnant or self-absorbed! The divine marching orders from the beginning were to go, teach, baptize and teach some more (Matthew 28:18-20). This expansion plan was so great that God demanded the whole world be our mission field (Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47). It is easy for humans to fall into the keeping house mentality, and sadly some brethren in various places do just that. The church that truly belongs to Jesus is outwardly not inwardly focused! The church is soul obsessed and not self-obsessed. It is not as much focused on programs as it is focused on people! I am always so encouraged when I read and study the book of Acts and see the growth the church of Christ experienced even amid a sin-filled, problematic society. Their main goal was to tell the narrative that changed their lives forevermore. The church of Christ is all about expansion!
It is a blessed and a wonderful privilege to be a member of the church that Jesus bought with His lifeblood! While no congregation or individual is perfect in the church, we serve and laud a perfect Savior. We have been liberated from sin, and we have been brought together in the body to go and tell everyone what Jesus has done. From before the dawn of time, the church of Christ was in God’s mind (Ephesians 3:10-11). Let us rejoice exceedingly that you and I are members of the church of Christ, the unshakable kingdom of our dear King (Hebrews 12:28)!
