About Us
- Government, Mission, Worship

To Whom does the Church Belong?

Bobby Key

[PDF Version ]

A lady approached a business man and asked for a donation on a new church building. "Yes, I will give $100.00 on the building," replied the business man, "if you will erect a sign over the door saying 'This is a church of Christ'."

"Oh, no, we couldn't do that," answered the lady, "because it is not a church of Christ." "Very well," said the business man "I will still give $100.00 if you will put up the sign saying 'This is not a church of Christ'." "Oh, no, sir, you know we could not do that because it is a church of Christ!"

It is most difficult to teach people that the church belongs to Christ, yet no truth is more clearly taught in the New Testament. Let us notice the relationship Christ holds toward the church:

  1. Christ is the builder of the church (Matthew 16:18).
  2. Christ is the way (John 14:6).
  3. The church is the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:9).
  4. Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 5:22,23).
  5. The church is Christ's body (Ephesians 1:22,23).

In view of the above facts, whose church is it? Whose name should it wear? It is obvious the Lord knew whose church it was when he instructed an inspired apostle to write "Churches of Christ" (Romans 16:16).

[ Back ]