What is the Church of Christ?

Jesus promised to build HIS CHURCH upon the solid-rock confession that He is the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:18). He declared that He would give His apostles the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19), and they used those keys to open the doors of salvation to all mankind.

The doors of the kingdom (the church) were opened on the day of Pentecost, following the Lord’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension (Acts 2). Peter and the other apostles preached Jesus unto a great multitude, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). These 3000 souls were added unto all of Christ’s followers, and this group became the church. “…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).

Notice: These believers were baptized before they were counted as followers of Christ. The book of Acts records many conversions to Christ, and each of them was baptized (Acts 8:12; Acts 16:33; etc.). According to the Bible, baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), baptism saves us (1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16), and baptism can “wash away” our sins (Acts 22:16). “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Baptism is not only an important part of Christianity, but is necessary for one to be “born again” (John 3:3-5). In the Bible, baptism is between: Teaching and salvation (Matthew 28:19-20). Faith and salvation (Mark 16:16). Repentance and forgiveness (Acts 2:38). Confession and rejoicing (Acts 8:37-39). A sinner and being saved (1 Peter 3:20-21). The Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-5).

The penitent believer and the Blood of Christ (Romans 6:3-4).

Jesus fervently prayed that His followers would be unified as one (John 17:20-23), and His church is established for that purpose, the Greek word for church, ekklesia, means “called out,” and those who are part of the Lord’s church are called out from among humanity for a purpose. The Lord’s church is called many things in Scripture: The Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-23). The Body of Christ (Colossians 1:18, 24; Ephesians 1:22-23). The Kingdom of God’s Son (Colossians 1:13). The House of God (1 Timothy 3:15). The Church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2). The Church of the First Born (Hebrews 12:23). The Church of the Lord (Acts 20:28). The Churches of Christ (Romans 16:16). These designations given to the church in Scripture are not names; they are designations of ownership and function. The church functions as a temple, a bride, a body, a kingdom, a house, and a church;