The word or concept of “Church” (Greek-Ekklesia) is, in brief, defined
by scholars as “a called out assemble, a congregation.” The “Church of
Christ” is therefore, the “called out assembly of Christ”. Composed
only of individuals washed in and by the blood of the Lamb. The
“calling out” is through the gospel-2 Thess. 2:14, and the “washing” is
through one’s immersion (baptism) into Jesus as an act of faith and
obedience—Acts 22:16, Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:26-27. This must be
predicated by repentance, Acts 17:30, and confessing Jesus as Lord,
Rom. 10:9-10.
God uses this word or concept, “called out assembly”, in at least four spiritual ways:
Of His universal Church, the whole family of God in heaven and on earth, Eph. 3:15; Heb. 12:22-24.
Of God’s Old Testament elect and of the exiting Israelites in the
wilderness; the faithful of those now washed in the blood of Christ,
Ex. 19:1-8; Acts 7:38; Heb. 9:15.
Of the Lord’s New Testament Church, Matt. 16:18. This aspect of
God’s Church is composed of individuals (Jews & Gentile) saved from
all the ages of Old and New Testaments, washed in the propitiatory
blood of the Lamb, Heb. 9:14-15; I Pet. 2:9-11. It was founded in the
first century of Christ on the first Jewish feast of Pentecost after
His resurrection and ascension, Acts 2.
Of individual (local & Autonomous) congregations of Christ in
the world, Rom. 16:16; I Cor. 1:2; each and all. This includes the
East Foothill Church in San Jose and other local congregations
throughout the world.
True Church of Christ (Rom. 16:16) throughout the world are equally not
bound to one another through earthly organizations, headquarters, or
human leaders. There is no “fellowship” (functional, organizational
operating control) between and among congregations. A working
organization and operating control must scripturally be found only
within the confines of each local and self-ruled group, governed only
by Jesus Christ as Head, and guided only by the Holy Spirit through
His divine revelation, the Bible.
Congregations of Christ will endeavor to appoint elders (also referred
to in scripture as “shepherds or pastors,” and “overseers or bishops”),
and deacons. These men must meet the qualifications given by the Holy
Spirit in such Scriptures as, I Tim. 3:1-12 and Titus 1:5-8, et al.
Each local congregation must strive to be biblically autonomous in it’s
identity, worship, work, planning, organization, and disciplinary
actions. In so doing, each represents God’s Kingdom on earth fully
capable of doing the work He has assigned His people until Jesus comes
again to receive us to glory.
Our plea to our community and to the world is for all to look to Jesus
as the Author and Finisher of our faith” Heb. 12:2, and for the
restoration of simple New Testament Christianity, to speak where the
Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent, to call bible
things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways. The Bible
only, as God’s seed (Lk. 8:11), make Christian only, servants of Jesus
Christ.
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
HEAR THE WORD OF GOD
Matt. 7:24-27; John 5:24; Rom 10:17
HAVE FAITH & BELIEVE
Heb. 11:6; Mark 16:15-16;(not by faith only) James 2:24
