When the word “church” is used in the New Testament, it almost always comes from the Greek word ekklesia. This word refers to a “called out” assembly of people. When it is used in the New Testament, it typically refers specifically to those who are in Christ.
The word “church” is one term among several that describes the collective body of those in Christ.
In Colossians 1:13, the church is called “the kingdom of [God’s] dear Son.” In 1 Timothy 3:15, the church is called “the house of God.” In Ephesians 2:21, the church is called “an holy temple in the Lord.” In Ephesians 1:23, the church is referred to as Christ’s “body.”
Though several terms are used to describe the church, they are not “denominations” of the Lord’s body. Rather, multiple terms are used to describe the same body.
Just as Jesus may be called “Lord,” “Savior,” “Christ,” “King,” “Redeemer,” “Prophet,” “High Priest,” etc., “the church” may be called “church of Christ,” “church of God,” “kingdom of Christ,” “temple of the Lord,” “body of Christ,” etc.
The first part of Ephesians 4:4 makes it clear that these terms all refer to just one church, as it states, “There is one body.”
Having said this, there are times in Scripture that the word “churches” is used in the plural form (cf. Rom. 16:16; Gal. 1:2).
The reason for this is that while the church is sometimes referred to in the “universal” sense (all Christians throughout the world), it is at other times referred to in the “local” sense (Christians meeting at a particular location to carry out the work of the church). The distinction between different “churches” in the New Testament is not what doctrine they are to follow or who their source of authority is. Rather, churches are distinguished from one another by location.
Paul wrote to saints “in Rome” (Rom. 1:7), “at Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1), “at Ephesus” (Eph. 1:1), “at Philippi” (Phil. 1:1), and “at Colosse” (Col. 1:2). He referenced one church that was “of the Thessalonians” (1 Thes. 1:1; 2 Thes. 1:1), but this again identified their location. Doctrinally, this church was “in God the father and in the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes. 1:1; cf. 2 Thes. 1:1).
This was true of all local churches in the New Testament. None were identified as belonging to a fallible man. Rather, each one belonged to God and Christ (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2).
The church belongs to Christ because he is the builder, foundation, and head of the church. Note that in Matthew 16:18, Jesus stated that He would build His church.
God noted Jesus’ relation to the church in Colossians 1:18: And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.
Ephesians 1:22-23 says that God “hath put all things under [Christ’s] feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.”
As the head of the church, Christ must be looked to as the source of authority for all church practices (cf. Matt. 28:18).
A question that results from this is how we know if something is authorized by Christ.
Before He ascended into heaven, Christ assigned His apostles the work of teaching “all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:” (Matt. 28:19-20). The apostles carried out this command as they taught Christ’s doctrine. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit as they taught, and their doctrine was confirmed through the miracles God allowed them to perform (Mark 16:20).
This is why the early church continued “steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). The apostles’ doctrine is Christ’s doctrine (cf. Gal. 1:11-12).
Since the written word is now complete, it is no longer necessary for men to be inspired by the Holy Spirit the way the apostles were. Rather, we can know God’s will by looking to the doctrine Christ and His apostles taught that is revealed in the New Testament.
If all who claim to follow Christ took this to heart, much division could be eliminated. Instead of focusing on fun and entertainment, churches would focus on being the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).
Instead of looking to men to establish doctrine, churches would simply follow Christ’s doctrine, respecting His role as the head of the church.
– Michael Hickox