The Non-Traditional Church
Have you noticed how many new and innovative churches there are? Organizations you have never heard of spring up every day. “The Church on the Move” is just one of those; no one calls themselves “The Church Stuck in the Mud.” According to the Internet, more people are drawn to church names they have never heard of before than they are to established denominations. This condition may exist because people have had a bad experience with one of those groups. Or maybe they are just wanting to see what’s new and different. They may know something of the Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches. Perhaps they’ve observed some Pentecostal groups on television. It may be that they like the message of one of the newer groups or the entertainment they present. No doubt, “The Church That Tickles Your Fancy” would be very popular. However, wouldn’t it seem to be appropriate to ask, “What do the Scriptures Teach?”
What they tell us is interesting. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). Does that include things relating to the church? Judge for yourself. Paul wrote that God “put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23). Yes, Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth—including the church. Paul adds later that “Jesus is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). Why is Jesus the head? He built the church (Matt. 16:18), and He purchased it “with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). The church belongs to Him—not to religious denominations (which were built by men). The founder of the church is Divine, the Son of God (Matt. 16:16). He will save His body; the very name of Jesus means “Savior” (Matt. 1:21).
Therefore, only Jesus can determine who can be a member, what doctrines are to be taught, what worship should be like, and what the main purpose or mission of the church should be. “So,” someone might ask, “Are you saying that traditional churches are better than the new ones being formed?” No. The question ought to be, “Is any particular church (old or new) authorized by Jesus, who is its head? When Paul wrote, “The churches of Christ greet you,” in Romans 16:16, he did not indicate that the church belonged to someone else. Nor did he exalt some description of the church. He honored Jesus.
“Are you saying that calling yourself the church of Christ is all that’s important?” No, but it is Biblical. However, anyone could call themselves by that name. The important things are, “What is taught? What kind of worship is there? Are they fulfilling their mission? How does one become a Christian?” Only the New Testament can answer these questions.