The Church of Christ: Its Meaning and importance to man’s salvation

Published in Pasugo, Feb 2004

THIS ARTICLE AIMS to present some of the fundamental and essential truths about the Church of Christ. Through the teachings of God recorded in the Holy Scriptures, we will seek to answer some frequently asked questions about this Church of which we are members.

The Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) which reemerged in the Philippines on July 27, 1914, has spread not only throughout the islands of the Philippine archipelago but also to different parts of the world. To date, it has established locales and congregations in 83 countries and territories.

1. What does the name “Church of Christ” mean?
The meaning of the name “Church of Christ” is body of Christ. This is what Apostle Paul teaches:

“Christ is the head of the church, which is his body.” (Col. 1:18, New Living Translation)

Since the Church is Christ’s body, whatever feeling and concern that we have for the Church is the same feeling and concern that we have for its head, our Lord Jesus Christ. If we truly love and value our Lord Jesus Christ, then we should also love and value the Church. However, not all churches are considered the body of Christ. Apostle Paul enlightens us on this matter:

“We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body.” (Rom. 12:4-5, Today’s English Version)

There is only one body or Church of Christ. Apostle Paul’s pronouncement is explicit: “we are one body in union with Christ” [emphasis ours]. What is the characteristic of this one body or Church that has union or fellowship with Christ? Its members, though many, “are all joined to each other.” They are not separated from each other and they do not have divisions, factions, or schisms within them. Hence, not all churches are of Christ, and any church that is characterized by sectarianism or denominationalism could never be the one true Church which Christ recognizes as His body. Another solid proof that there is only one Church which Christ recognizes as His body is recorded in the Gospel according to Apostle Matthew. Our Lord Jesus Christ states:

“ ‘And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…” (Mt. 16:18, New King James Version)

Notice the clause “I will build My church.” The word “church,” as far as the entire organization founded by Christ is concerned, denotes singularity. Hence, there is only one Church which our Lord Jesus built or established. Another important point is that the Lord Jesus used the pronoun “My” to show that the one true Church is His or belonging to Him, primarily because it is His body and He Himself established it.

2. What is the biblical name of the one true Church which Christ established and considers His body?
When Apostle James sent a general letter to the brethren in the Church during his time, he made it clear that they were called by the holy name of Christ:

“Do they not insult the holy name of Christ by which you are called?” (Js. 2:7, Christian Community Bible)

Besides not having divisions, another identifying mark of the one true Church is the name by which it is called: called by “the holy name of Christ.” Thus, any church which is not called by the name of Christ could not be true Church which Christ established and recognizes as His body. Which Church is called by the holy name of Christ? In Acts 20:28, Apostle Paul explicitly teaches:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Lamsa Trasalation)

“Church of Christ” is the name of the Church which is called by the holy name of Christ. In Filipino as well as in other major languages such as Spanish, French, and German, it is translated “Iglesia ni Cristo,” “Iglesia de Cristo,” “église du Christ,” and “Kirche Christi,” respectively. It is only proper and just that the one true Church be called after the name of its Head, Founder, and Owner. Hence, “Church of Christ.”

Even Catholic authorities attest to the fact that the one true Church founded by Christ should be called “Church of Christ.” Francis B. Cassilly. A Jesuit priest admits the following:

“1. Did Jesus Christ establish a Church?

“Yes, from all history, both secular and profane, as well as from the Bible considered as a human document, we learn that Jesus Christ established a Church, which from the earliest times has been called after Him the Christian Church or the Church of Christ. (Religion: Doctrine and Practice, pp. 442-443, emphasis ours)

Catholic priests attest to the truth that the Church which Christ established should be called “Church of Christ.” Ironically though, the Vatican council which convened in 1870 decided to drop the name “Christ” and use in its stead a name which can not be found in the Holy Scriptures, “The Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church” (Discourses on the Apostles Creed, p. 191).

Protestant authorities likewise affirm that the one true Church which was founded by Christ and recognizes as His body is to be called “Church of Christ.” Quoting a Protestant preacher and former Methodist by the name of Rice Haggard, Leroy Garrett writes in his book:

“All Christians ought to be members of one church, for there is but one foundation, which is Christ. And the name of this body originates from its head, which makes it ‘the Christian Church or the Church of Christ’.” (The Stone-Campbell Movement: An Anecdotal History of Three Churches, p. 88, emphasis ours)

Notice that Haggard said: “the name of this body originates from its head, which makes it… the Church of Christ.”

Then again, despite this admission, many Protestant churches, besides having divisions within them prefer to be called by various names such as Baptist Church, Episcopalian Church, Methodist Church, Pentecostal Church and Seventh-Day Adventist Church to name a few (Protestantism, p. 190; Moody Monthly, September 1984, p. 28).

3. How important is the Church of Christ to man’s salvation?
Contrary to popular belief, the Church of Christ is extremely important for the following biblical reasons:

a) Christ built the Church so that death will not be able to prevail against it.

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” (Mt. 16:18, Revised Standard Version)

Would Christ have built the Church if it were not important to man’s salvation? It is said that death will not prevail against the Church founded by Christ because those who died in Christ as members of His Church will be raised to life first:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (I Thess. 4:16, NKJV)

Blessed are those who are included in the first resurrection for the second death, that is, eternal punishment in the lake of fire, shall have no power over them. Instead, the Savior Himself guarantees that they will rise again to enjoy eternal life:

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Rev. 20:6, 14, Ibid.).

“Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to judgment.” (Jn. 5:28-29, NLT)

Concerning the members of the Church of Christ who are still living when Christ returns, they will no longer die but along with those who will be resurrected first, they will meet the Savior to be with Him forever.

b) Christ loved and offer His dear life for the Church.

“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.” (Eph. 5:25, TEV)

If the Church were not important, would Christ have given up His precious life for it? In truth, He sacrificed His life for the Church in order to redeem its members from their past sins so that they will be saved when the Day of Judgment comes:

“But God has shown us how much he loves us – it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! By his sacrificial death we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God’s anger!” (Rom. 5:8-9, Ibid.)

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

c) The Church of Christ is where the Lord adds those who will be saved.

“Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts. 2:47, NKJV)

“For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body.” (Eph. 5:23, TEV)

For this reason, the Savior Himself commands all of those longing for salvation to enter the fold.

“ I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe.” (Jn. 10:9, Revised English Bible)

This fold or flock is none other than the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). Would the Lord God add to the Church of Christ those who will be saved and would Christ command people to enter in it if the Church were not important and necessary to man’s salvation?

4. How can one become a member of the Church of Christ?
A person officially becomes a member of the Church upon receiving baptism in the Church of Christ. Christ, who commanded all people to join the Church of Christ which He Himself founded, gave the following conditions for baptism:

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned’.” (Mk. 16:15-16, NKJV)

Before a person receives baptism in the Church of Christ, he must first be taught the gospel and believe. For this reason, the Church of Christ conducts Bible studies wherein all the fundamental teachings it upholds are taught and explained to anyone who has declared his intention of joining the Church. The candidate for baptism then undergoes a series of tests in order to show that he really believes in these teachings. Another condition that an individual must meet before he can be baptized is taught by Apostle Peter:

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’.” (Acts 2:38, Ibid.)

Since baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, a candidate for baptism must first repent for all of his past sins. This is done by means of confessing one’s sins to God (I Jn. 1;9), asking Him for forgiveness (Mt. 6:12, NLT), leaving one’s wicked way of life including his way of thinking, and returning to God (Is. 55:7, TEV).

Notice that these aforementioned conditions for baptism could only be met while a person is still alive and while Judgment Day has not yet come. But once a person dies or when the Day of Judgment occurs, listening to and believing in God’s commandments, and repentance for past sins will then be impossible. Thus, the Lord Jesus admonishes:

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying ‘Lord, Lord, open for us’, and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from’,

“ ‘But He will say, “I tell you I do not know you, where you are from.” Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity’.” (Lk. 13:24-25, 27, NKJV)

We must make every effort to follow Christ’s commandment to enter His Church. When the door leading to salvation has already been shut, then there is nothing that man can do to reopen it for himself. The opportunity to be saved will be lost. This is precisely why Apostle Paul gives the following exhortation:

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you’. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (II Cor. 6:1-2, Ibid.)

While the door leading to salvation is still open, man should not waste the opportunity that God is giving him. Upon realizing the meaning and importance of the Church of Christ to salvation, he should heed the call of our Savior Jesus Christ “to strive to enter through the narrow gate” by means of joining the Church of Christ.

References:
Cassilly, Francis B. Religion: Doctrine and Practice.
Chicago: Loyola University Press, n.d.

Crock, Clement H. Rev. Discourses on the Apostle’s
Creed. New York: Joseph F Wagner, Inc., 1938.

Garrett, Leroy. The Stone-Campbell Movement: An
Anecdotal History of Three Churches. Joplin,
Missouri: College Press Publishing Company,
1981.

Moody Monthly. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Bible
Institute, September 1984.

Protestantism. New York: Scorge Braziller Inc., 1962