What is the church of Christ?

In the realm of denominationalism, the term "church" is usually applied to the building in which one meets. Webster's Dictionary defines "church" as a word that derived from chirche, which is akin to kirihha, which is derived from a Latin and Greek word kyrialcon or kyrios meaning “Lord or Master.” All this is derived from a Latin word cavusor a cave meaning "a place to meet." (Webster's Seventh Collegiate Dictionary, p. 149). Yet, the Biblical definition is much different. In Acts 8:1, Paul is said to have been "persecuting the church" and in Acts 8:3, he is said to have been making "havoc of the church." He did not do this by destroying a building but rather by "haling men and women, committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3b).

The church, therefore, is made of people, who are known as Christians. When we speak of the church, we are not describing any denominational group. We are describing the body of Christ. The Bible's claim is there is one body (Romans 12:4,5; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 20; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 3:15). That body is the church (Ephesians 1:22,23; The church is Christ (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:30; Colossians 1:18, 24). Therefore, when Christ comes back as the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:30), He will be looking for one group of people who have been faithful to His word. He will be looking for the people of God who are one (John 17). He will be looking for the people of God who speak the same thing and who are not divided by denominational teaching (1 Corinthians 1:10). He will be looking for the people of God who are standing fast with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). Those who claim baptism is not necessary for salvation have rejected the will of God and are not of the church. The Bible is very clear as to how one becomes a member of the church. Since the church is the body of Christ, one must be in the body, IN Christ. Paul declares of the church at Galatia, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized INTO CHRIST have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27). Therefore, to be INChrist, one must be baptized INTO Christ. As a result, God fuses the baptized believer together with others who have also obeyed (Acts 2:47).