What Is the Church of Christ?

The simple answer is found in Colossians 1:18, "[Jesus Christ] is also head of the body, the church." Stated a different way, the church is Jesus' body. However, there is more to the simplicity of this fact.

The church of Christ (His body) consists of people–specific people. Here are the primary unique qualities that identify those people:

1. They believe that Christ rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:17).
2. They have forsaken their old life to follow Christ (Matthew 16:24).
3. They have been crucified with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:3-7).
4. They have been forgiven of their sins by the blood of Christ (Colossians 2:13).
5. They are citizens in the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 2:19).
6. They live according to the teachings of Christ (1 Timothy 6:3–5; Acts 2:42).
7. They wear the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:16; 2 Timothy 2:19)
8. They are characterized by having the same attitude as Christ (Philippians 2:1–16).
9. They look forward to spending eternity with Christ (Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

The Bible is our only pure source from which to derive these truths. The letters written by the apostles and those who preserved the account of the life of Christ and the early days of the church give us all that we need to live a life that is pleasing to God (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

The church that existed then exists now. Over time, men have "crept in" (Jude 4) and invented all kinds of beliefs contrary to what the Bible says. Religious groups wear names and titles that do not reflect that of the church of the first century. If we drop those things and allow the Bible alone to define who we should be, then we can avoid division and confusion (1 Corinthians 1:10).

The church of Christ that assembles in Warner Robins wants nothing more than to walk hand-in-hand with you all the way to heaven. Our plea is this: let's be Christians–no more, no less. Why be anything else?