Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why you are a member of a certain church? Can you give a bible reason for the faith you hold? If not, are you sure you have proved all things holding fast that which is good? Unless we constantly examine ourselves to see whether or not we are in the faith, isn't it possible that in the final day we might be surprised to learn that we were following a false teaching?
The way we can give an answer to those who ask for a reason of the hope that is within us is to let everything we do religiously be governed by God's Word. Being a member of a certain church simply because parents, friends, or relatives are members is not within itself a legitimate and sufficient reason. We must have biblical authority for what we do religiously.
In the New Testament, we find such expressions as "the church" (Acts 8:1); "the church of God" (1 Cor 1:2; 1 Tim 3:15); "the church of the living God" )1 Tim 3:15); "the church of the Lord" (Acts 20:28); "the church of the first-born" (Heb 12:23); "the churches of Christ" (Rom 16:16). It was Christ who built the church, and He called it His (Matt 16:18). He is the head of the church, and the Savior of the body (Eph 5:23). He is the head of the body, the church (Col 1:18). In Colossians 1:24 we find this expression "for His body's sake, which is the church." Since the church belongs to Christ, shouldn't it be so-called?
The church of Christ has no written creed other than the Bible itself. What authority would we have to draw up some creed or dogmas of faith and bind ourselves to the same, when in God's Word we have all that pertains to life and godliness? (2 Pet 1:3). Isn't that sufficient? What would then be the purpose of a church manual or creed book? If a creed contains more than the Bible, it contains too much. If it contains less than the Bible, it contains too little. If it contains just the Bible, why have it? Why not just take the Bible itself?
The churches of Christ have no headquarters on earth. No congregation is over or dictates to another congregation. Each congregation selects its own elders to oversee the flock as is suggested in Acts 14:23. These elders are called "bishops" (Titus 1:5,7) "overseers" (Acts 20:28) "stewards" (Titus 1:7) "pastors" (Eph 4:11) or "the presbytery" (1 Tim 4:14). The qualifications for elders or bishops are very clearly outlined in 1 Tim 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5, and Acts 20. Deacons are likewise selected by each congregation, and their qualifications are very clearly set forth in 1 Timothy 3 and Acts 6. Elders are to oversee the work of the local congregation, and deacons are to help in a special way, both of whom are to be selected by the local congregation.
The Bible tells us that upon the first day of the week the disciples came together to break bread (Acts 20:7). Since the Lord said that the Lord's Supper was observed upon the first day of the week, we gather that this was a weekly affair. If not, why was mention made of the day of the week? Had the Lord told us that the disciples met upon a certain day of the month, we would have gathered that it was a monthly affair. It was observed on the first day of the week.
Furthermore, upon the first day of the week we contribute of our means as was done in 1 Corinthians 16:1,2. We have no bazaars, pie suppers, rummage sales, etc; but we advocate that each contribute according to his ability his freewill offerings unto the Lord.
Then, too, we have no mechanical instruments of music in our worship, simply because the New Testament does not authorize the use of such. Every passage in the New Testament dealing with music in worship specified "singing." Had the Lord given a general command to offer music, then any kind of music would be all right, but since He specified "singing," then we have no right to add something to God's arrangement. For several centuries after the church had been established there were no mechanical instruments used in worship. All recognized historians tell us that instruments were not used in the worship until the fifth or sixth century. Why? It wasn't because they did not have mechanical instruments, but because the Lord had specified a certain kind of music.
The scripture says, "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph 2:8,9). Does this mean that no action at all is required on man�s part? No, "or by grace are you saved through faith." Isn't faith an action on man's part? Yes. Doesn't the Bible say that faith is work? (John 6:29) Yes, because it is the work of God. What does the Bible mean when it says, "Not of works"?
Furthermore, how can you harmonize this passage with James 2:24: "You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only"? It is not by the works of man's own righteousness, but by the works of God's righteousness that one is saved. "In every nation he that fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted with Him." (Acts 10:35). Faith is a work of God's righteousness. What about repentance? Doesn't God demand men to repent? (Acts 17:30). Is repentance a work of man's own righteousness? What about baptism? Doesn't the Bible tell us that baptism saves us? (1Peter 3:21). Isn't it through baptism that we put on Christ? (Gal 3:27). Doesn't the Bible teach us that we cannot walk in the newness of life until we have been buried and raised with our Lord in baptism? (Rom 6:4). Isn't this therefore a definite part of the new birth? (John 3:5).
Jesus very plainly tells us that baptism is a part of God's righteousness (Matt 3:15). When one is scripturally baptized he is not, by his own works or merit, earning salvation, but he is simply submitting to the work of God's righteousness. This is the arrangement of God's grace.
There is no example in the New Testament of an infant being baptized or christened. There is no example in the New Testament of anyone being voted into the church. Salvation is offered to all. God adds to the church those who are saved (Acts 2:47). We believe one must be a member of the Lord's church in order to be saved. It is by one Spirit that we all are baptized into that one body (1 Cor 12:13).
