It was founded by the scriptural builder on the scriptural foundation, Christ.
"And I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock
I will build Mychurch; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." (Matt. 16:18) "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation and another is building upon it . For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."(I Cor. 3: 10-11)
In going back to the original language,
we find the church
is built upon Christ, referred to as the rock (petra), not on Peter (Petros).
Food for thought...
It was founded in the scriptural place, Jerusalem,
and the scriptural time, Pentacost.
"Therefore, thus says the Lord, "I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it," declares the Lord of hosts, ..." (Zech. 1:16) See also Micah 4:1-2 and Acts 2
The church was built in Jerusalem on the day of Pentacost. Not at a later date, by another person.
It has a scriptural name.
In all instances in the Bible the name for the church denotes ownership.
"My church" (Matt.16:18) "the church" (Acts 8:3), "church of God" (1 Cor.1:2), "churches of Christ" (Rom.16:16), "the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:12),
"the church of the living God" (I Tim. 3:15)
Paul condemned divisive names in I Cor. 1:13, "Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
Most denominational names are not found in scripture. If a name is not important, why did God change Abram and Sarai's name in
Gen. 17:5,15?
It believes all the Bible to be the inspired word of God,
and has no other creed or church manual.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteiousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (II Tim. 3:16,17) God warns of what will happen to those who add to or take from his word. "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you have received, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:6-9) At the end of the New Testament, we are warned again, "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book; if any adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book." (Rev. 22:18) Even in the Old Testament God commanded that no changes to his word be made. "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I commanded you." (Duet. 4:2)
There are many creed books and manuals in denominational churches. What is the purpose of these items unless it is man's attempt to try to "improve" upon God's word. Creed books and manuals are written by man. Why does man think he must add to, take away from, or change God's word, when God forbids it?
Human creeds are often changed every few years. God's word never changes.
It teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation.
In the words of Jesus, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16) This verse clearly points out that one is not saved until one both believes and is baptized.
And Peter said to them, "Repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) This verse tells us that ones sins are not forgiven until one has been baptized.
Being saved requires hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, being baptized and continuing to live a Christian life. Asking Jesus to "come into your heart" does not make one a Christian.
The church of Christ in not a denomination.
The church of Christ's plea if for all to return to the gospel taught in the Bible. Over the centuries more and more denominations with man-made names and man-made doctrines have begun. Jesus prayed that all would be one. "I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me. " (John 17:20-23)
God is not the author of confusion. But, man continues to think he has better ideas than God. In spite of Jesus's prayer that all be one in Him, man has continued to change that which is taught in the Bible.
