Philip Smith
Introduction
If one were to ask the average person on the street to identify the church, one might receive several responses, depending on each respondent’s knowledge of the Bible. One might answer that the church is that building with the steeple on the top. Another might say that the church is identified by a sign in front of the building stating that it is a Baptist, Methodist, or any one of the many religions in the world today. A third might reply that the church consists of all the denominations that worship God in whatever way they choose.
However, the process of identification involves finding identifying marks. This is true whether one is turning in a report of a robbery or looking for a lost child. In this chapter, I intend to discuss identifying marks of the church. These are vital to our salvation because Jesus is the Savior of the church, and the Scriptures teach that there is only one church (Eph. 5:23; 1:22-23). If we are to be saved, we must be members of that church of which Jesus is the Savior.
When I speak of “the church,” I mean the church that Jesus built and established on the first Pentecost after His resurrection. This church is composed of baptized believers that God has added to the church. It is the church of which Jesus is the Savior and that will enter eternity with God. It is not a denomination, nor any organization built or begun by man. It is the church of Christ, built by Him, purchased by Him, and of which He is the head.
We cannot identify the church simply by taking man’s word for it (1 John 4:1-6). Nor can we identify the church by merely choosing one that feels right (Jer. 10:23). We can do so only by its identifying marks, or the pattern for it, found in the Word of God (Heb. 8:1-6). Let us now turn to God’s Word and identify the church.
The Church Was Built by Jesus Christ
The first identifying mark is that Jesus built it (Mat. 16:18-19). All other churches were built by men. Not only did Jesus build His church, but He also purchased it with the price of His own blood (Acts 20:28). No man-made religion has ever been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ. As builder and purchaser, Jesus is the owner of His church. This cannot be said of any denomination. No man-made religion will satisfy those who truly seek the Lord. Each individual must ask if he or she is a part of the church that Jesus built or part of a man-made religion.
The Organization of the Church
Another identifying mark of the church is its organization. The religions of men have such governing structures as earthly headquarters, the pope, synods, councils, and others. However, the headquarters for the church of the Bible is heaven (Heb. 8:1) where Jesus reigns with all authority as head (Mat. 28:18; Eph. 5:23). Jesus sent forth His apostles as ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). The apostles spoke and wrote as the Holy Spirit guided them (John 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:13). Therefore, their words are the commandments of the Lord (14:37). There were also New Testament prophets who spoke by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:5) and whose words are true and binding. Both the apostles and inspired prophets are long gone, but their inspired words come down to us through the Holy Scriptures.
Each New Testament congregation, where men were qualified, had a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5). These men were also called presbyters, overseers, bishops, pastors, and shepherds. We can understand their work through these descriptive terms. The elders are charged with shepherding the congregation of which they are members (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:4-7; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-3). Because they shepherd the flock of God they must meet qualifications specified in God’s Word (1 Tim. 3:8-13; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). It is important to note that the elders function as an eldership. No elder can rule in matters of expediency in and of himself.
Deacons are special servants to the elders. Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, gave qualifications that each deacon must meet (1 Tim. 3:8-13). As special servants to the elders, deacons may be given both spiritual and physical work to do relating to the church. While a deacon may become an elder, deacons should not be thought of as “junior elders” or “elders-in-waiting.” Where elders and deacons are fulfilling their roles, the work of deacons is worthy and brings glory to God. We also find preachers and teachers in the New Testament church (2 Tim. 2:2; 4:1-2; Heb. 5:12; 1 Pet. 4:11). Some terms that describe all members of the church are Christians, brethren, children of God, and saints (Acts 11:26; 20:32; Rom. 8:16; Phi. 1:1). Any religion that does not follow this pattern of organization is not the church that Jesus built.
Its Rule of Faith
The rule of faith in the church is the New Testament (Heb. 12:24; 8:6; Gal. 1:8-9). No uninspired writings will do. The church rejects creeds, church manuals, and human traditions as being inspired or binding. Faithful Gospel preachers in the Lord’s church preach the inspired Word of God (Mat. 15:9; 2 Tim. 4:1-4) and will neither go beyond it nor fall short of it; they speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11; Pro. 30:6; Gal. 1:8-9).
The Church of the Work
The work of the church is also described in the New Testament. The church is to do the work of evangelism (Mat. 28:19-20; Acts 8:3-4; 1 Tim. 3:15). The work of edification is also commanded (1 Cor. 14:3, 12; Eph. 4:16; 1 The. 5:11). The New Testament church also engaged in benevolence (Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; Gal. 6:10). There are no more works of the church. Any religious organization that goes beyond these works or falls short of them is not the church that Jesus built.
The Church of the Worship
The worship of the church consists of five acts, two of which are to be done only on the first day of the week. The New Testament church partakes of the Lord’s Supper only on the first day of the week (Mat. 26:26-29; Acts 20:7). Giving into the common treasury is also done only on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-4). The New Testament does not authorize any other means of providing funds for the work of the church. Worshiping God through music is another act of worship. The kind of music found in the New Testament church is singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)—and never that which mechanical instruments produces. Singing is not restricted to the first day of the week but can be practiced on any day (Jam. 5:13). The church of the New Testament worshiped God in prayer (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 14:15). We may pray on any day of the week (Jam. 5:13). Preaching is a part of New Testament worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 14:2-3; 2 Tim. 4:1-2) and may be done on any day of the week (Acts 4:1-4). These are the five acts of worship authorized in the New Testament. There are no more, and there can be no removals, substitutions, or additions. Any religious organization that alters God’s pattern for worship is not the church that Jesus built.
The Purpose of the Church
The church has the definite purpose of glorifying God (2 The. 1:11-12; 1 Pet. 4:14). While it is true that we are not to hide our light under a bushel, it is also true that we are not to do our works to receive praise of men (Mat. 6:1, 5; 23:5). Any religious organization that glorifies men or seeks the praise of men for itself, instead of for God, is not the church that Jesus built.
How Long Will Last to the Church?
The church that Jesus built will last eternally (Dan. 2:44; Heb. 12:28). When Jesus returns, and this earth and the heavens are dissolved (2 Pet. 3:10), He will deliver up the church to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24). Its faithful members will enter their heavenly state where their persecutions and trials will end and where eternal peace and joy will reign in the presence of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
Its Terms of Entrance
How does one become a part of the church identified in the New Testament? One must believe the Gospel (Rom. 5:1). One must repent of his sins (Acts 17:30-31). One must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10). One must be baptized in water for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). When one is baptized, his sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), and God adds him to His church (2:47). One must now begin a new life of serving and worshiping God according to His Word (Rom. 6:3-4; 12:1-2). God’s Word promises a home in heaven to all those in Jesus’ church who faithfully serve Him to the end of their lives (Col. 1:22-23; Rev. 2:10; 14:13).
Conclusion
We have examined several identifying marks of the church that Jesus built. Only the church we read of in the Bible is the church of which He is the Savior (Eph. 5:23; 1:22-23). Those who are not in the church that Jesus built are not among the saved (Acts 2:47). The Gospel call is for you, dear reader, if you are not a member of the Lord’s church (2 The. 2:14). Will you obey that Gospel and let God add you to the church we read about in the New Testament?
Work Cited
All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise indicated.
