“14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, KJV).
Loved ones, the church for which Jesus died (Acts 20:28) is the one body of people who have been saved by His (Jesus') blood (cf. Eph. 1: 7; 2:13-17). The church for which Jesus died (hereinafter referred to simply as "the church") is neither (1) a denomination, (2) a part of a denomination, nor (3) a combination (conglomerate) of denominations. It is—purely and simply—the body of people who have been called out of the darkness of sin into the marvelous light of God (cf. Col. 1:13; Phil. 2:12-16).
The apostle Peter warned that the great adversary of men, the devil, "walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 n Pet. 5:8). The apostle Paul made clear that Satan has many "devices" by which he deceives man into rejecting God's way and accepting man's way (2 Cor. 2:11). Paul elucidated this matter when he made clear that both the devil and his ministers (including many preachers) pass themselves off as servants of Christ while regularly leading precious souls away from Christ (2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rom. 16:17-18).
The beginning of denominations (humanly-originated religious institutions—usually called "churches ") was one of the cleverest (most deceptive) things which the devil ever originated.
In contrast to atheists (those who claim to know that God does not exist and, thus, to also know that all religions are simply false), who openly declare themselves to be avowed opponents of the Christian faith, denominationalists claim to be faithful servants of Christ while they urge all people to reject Christ's one plan of salvation (which is plainly set out in the New Testament) and to accept a plan of salvation which has been invented by mere human beings (for example, salvation by faith only).
Denominationalists reject the one church for which Jesus died and enter a denomination (which has been invented by men and has not been purchased by the blood of Christ, cf. Matt. 15:13). They reject the way of worship which has been authorized by the New Testament and engage in worship which has not been authorized by the New Testament. They reject the way of life which is set out (and demanded) in the New Testament (cf. Rev. 2:10; Luke 9:23; Gal. 5:19-23; 2 Pet. 1:5-11; et al.) and accept a way of life which is not authorized by the New Testament (cf. 2 John 9-11).
Denominational preachers seek to persuade people (and, in many cases, they are successful) to accept the view that they are saved before and without being members of the one body (church) for which Jesus died. This causes people to regard themselves as saved (by the blood of Christ) when, as a matter of fact, they have not been saved and are still lost in their sins (cf. Matt. 7:13-27; 2 Tim. 2:10; John 3:3-5; Rom. 6:3-5; Mark 16:15-16).
The Bible plainly teaches the following crucial truths: (1) no one can be saved by faith only (James 2:24-26), (2) one can be saved only by believing in, loving, and obeying the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God (cf. Heb. 11:6; John 8:24; 1 Cor. 16:22; Heb. 5:8-9), (3) one can obey Christ only by obeying His word, the gospel (Rom. 1:15-17; 2 Thess. 1:7-9), (4) one living today can be saved only by becoming a member of the church for which Jesus died (this is the case because Jesus is the savior of the one body—His church—and only of that one body, Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-6; 2:13-18; Acts 2:22-47; 20:28), and (5) denominationalism is inherently sinful because it is not authorized by the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 2 John 9-17; Col. 3:17).
So, it is clear that the church is the body of people who have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38) and who, thus, have been added by the Lord Himself to the one church for which He died (cf. Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13, 27). No one who has NOT been baptized in the name of (by the authority of) Jesus Christ is a member of the church for which Jesus died.
The church for which Jesus died is the body of people who, as penitent believers in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, have been baptized in the name of Christ (and, thus, into Christ, into salvation, into the one body of Christ). The church of Christ is that body which results from obedience to the one and only gospel of Christ (Luke 8:11). In contrast to the church for which Jesus died, a denomination is a religious body which results from obedience to some mere human doctrine.
Two points are clear: (1) no one becomes a member of any denomination as a result of obeying the gospel of Christ (one must obey human doctrine to become a member of a denomination) and (2) no one becomes a member of the church for which Jesus died by obeying any mere human doctrine. The Lord Himself adds all who obey the gospel of Christ (the word of God) to the church (Acts 2:41, 47; cf. 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:21-22; Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:26-27; et al.).
May all men understand the truth about the uniqueness and essentiality of the church for which Jesus died (Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18).
Christians Only
There are those today who claim that the Bible teaches that there are Christians who are not members of the church of Christ. But we have no hesitation in affirming that the Bible teaches that every person who is a Christian is a member of the church of Christ. This means, obviously, that we are affirming that the Bible teaches that there are no Christians who are not members of the church of Christ.
The church of Christ is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18). The saved are those who have been reconciled unto God, and those who have been reconciled unto God are members of the body (church) of Christ (Eph. 2:13-18). The matter is really just that simple, but in the light of the importance of the matter, let us say a bit more about it.
The Bible teaches that salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10). To be in Christ is to be in His church (Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Cor. 12:13; Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 20:28; Acts 2:38; Eph. 1: 7; et al.). The Bible teaches that it is impossible for one to cross the line into salvation without crossing the line into Christ. The Bible also teaches that it is impossible for one to cross the line into Christ without crossing the line into the church.
The crucial relation of the church to salvation is seen in the statement, "And the Lord added (Greek imperfect "was adding”) to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). The English Revised Version, in an excellent treatment, translates Acts 2:47 in this way: "And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved' (Greek present participle.)
In short, the Bible teaches that there are no Christians outside of the church for which Jesus died. When one obeys the gospel, being baptized (as a penitent believer) in the name of Christ (that is, by His authority), the Lord adds him to the church. He never fails to do this (cf. Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13).
Since I, as a penitent believer, have been baptized into Christ, I know that I am a member of the church for which Jesus died. I know this because I know that the Bible is the word of God, that God never lies (Heb. 6:18), and that I have done what the Bible teaches men to do to become a Christian (a child of God).
Anticipating an objection which some are prone to make, I hereby disclaim that it is a manifestation of self-righteousness or arrogance for me (or anyone else) to claim to know that I am (he is) a Christian (a member of the church for which Jesus died). As a matter of fact it is very humbling to make this claim.
This is the case because I could not become a member of the church of Christ without first admitting that I am a sinner, that I cannot save myself without the amazing grace of God, and that even when I have done what the Bible teaches me to do to become a Christian (a saved person, a child of God, Gal. 3:26-27), I must still count myself as an unprofitable servant (Lk. 17:10).
In becoming a Christian I did not do even one meritorious work—not one thing I did in becoming a Christian had any power (apart from the blood of Christ) to forgive my sins. Yet, because of the glorious gospel of Christ, I learned of the grace of God and was—in obedience to the instructions of that gospel— as a penitent believer baptized into Christ, into the church of Christ!
Also, I am very happy to be able to say to every non-Christian person in the world, “You, too can become a Christian (a member of the church for which Jesus died) because He has directed that the great message of the gospel is to be preached to 'every creature' (Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20; Lk. 24:45).
This is the case because God's 'seed' (by which He obtains children) is His word (Lk. 8:11). Just as every seed brings forth after its kind (Gal. 6:7-9; Gen. 1:11), the word of God (when believed and obeyed) results in a child of God (a member of the church for which Jesus died). If YOU will obey the word of God (cf. Acts 2:38-47), then you too will become a Christian (a member of the church of Christ), because the Lord Himself will add you to the church for which He died.
I have dedicated my life to the proclamation and defense of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ—and, as a crucial element in the over-all endeavor, to the proclamation and defense of the truth that every person who is a Christian is a member of the church of Christ. I affirm— without the slightest fear of successful contradiction— that there are no Christians who are not members of the church of Christ.
The position which has been affirmed above is not, as some would allege, “Church-of-Christism.” It is simply unadulterated truth which is plainly taught in the Bible. The Bible teaches that every person who is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ is added by the Lord Himself to the church for which He died (Acts 2:47).
Those who have done what the Bible authorizes, and only what the Bible authorizes, become members of the church of Christ — Christians — and nothing more. They do not become 'Lutheran-Christians,' 'Methodist Christians,' ‘Presbyterian-Christians,’ 'Baptist-Christians,’ ‘Catholic-Christians,’ ‘Mormon-Christians,’ ‘Pentecostal-Christians,’ et al. They become just Christians — nothing more.
This is truth for which faithful children of God will stand. Those who love God and His truth will not be guilty of diluting, perverting or denying that truth in order to give a sop to denominationalism.
Some men, when they hear the above affirmation, lovingly accept the truth and obey the gospel (Acts 2:41). Other men react in an unfavorable way. It is an occasion of joy when people learn, gladly receive, and obey the gospel of Christ. It is an occasion of sorrow when they reject the truth and refuse to obey it but accept and obey doctrinal error. Some people actually mock at the truth. (Acts 17:32; compare the situation during the ministry of John the Baptist, Luke 7:30).
The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have Bible questions or wish to comment on this post, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.
The churches of Christ are neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jew (Romans 16:16; Matthew 16:18-19). We are the loving suffering ONE body of Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:4-6) – CHRISTIANS: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16; cf. Acts 11:26; 26:28).
We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35). Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA – 25 March 2026.
