The Church of Christ name is the only church spoke of in the New Testament. As can be amply (and more than adequately) inferred in Colossians 1: verse 18 (KJV):
Note at the end of the verse, “that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
Strongs Numbers, on Preeminence, Colossians 1:18 to be first (in rank or influence):
KJV uses the word preeminence, although not a word used much, the transcribers of the King James Version used it; for me, they should have just printed, to be first (in rank or influence).
I mostly use the King James Bible, and occasionally I use the New American Standard Bible. In this translation for Colossians1: vers 18, it says, might come to have first place in everything, which is a more understandable translation for this verse.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon on Preeminence, Colossians 1:18 to be first, hold the first place.
If Christ is to be first in all things, it stands the church should bear his name.
Also, note in Romans 16:16 (KJV), the apostle Paul says,
- 16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Note as known, the apostle Paul was the one who wrote Romans 16.
As mentioned, the Roman Catholic Church set a precedent when it called the New Testament Church the Catholic Church, and the Reformation movement followed suit.
Reformation movement:
It was a religious movement of the 16th century that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the creation of Protestant churches.
As noted as the centuries rolled on, thousands of unscriptural churches have come into being because of this precedent.
If you can give a church a name as the Catholic church did, and the churches that the Reformation movement produced, they follow suit, a name can be given to any so-called church that fits or sounds good.
Note in 1611; the King James Bible was published, so the truth was there at that time.
This New Testament translation has no scripture indicating a church could be started with a name not written in it.
The precedent that has been set needs to be addressed and challenged. People are led into unscriptural churches unknowingly that a false precedent had been set.
Check out this website that was working at one time to see the monumental number of Christian oriented churches that have sprung up in countries around the world:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations
The home page is a list of countries, click onto a country and note the numerous, unscriptural churches in it.
Note I referenced this website, but it was taken down and replaced with a different one; some years back, it worked.
I explained how it worked when it was up, for your benefit and mine. I wish it was still up and not replaced.
A much-needed attempt has been put together in this article to expose the precedent set forth against the New Testament.
Note these scriptures:
“The god of this world,” Satan, 2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
- 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
- glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (KJV)
- 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
- 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
- 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Of course, what has been exposed here in this article will be denied by the multitude of these unscriptural churches. Scriptures will be found and falsely read into supporting their claim as a scriptural church.
Authority of the Bible, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)
- 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
- 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Definition of inspiration:
- (theology) a special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings.
[WordWeb.info]
The Book of Revelation was written for a reason
Because of the extremely dangerous persecutions of Christians, the book of Revelation was written. But the way it was written was written for a reason, and it is a highly symbolic and figurative book; the persecutors left it alone as they couldn’t understand what was written in it.
Revelation makes sense if you have knowledge of history. Chapter 2 and 3 of Christ’s criticism on seven churches are easy to follow, but the rest of the book, for the most part, is highly figurative. The rest of the book is mostly written in metaphors.
Heaven is described in Revelation chapters 21 and 22 but in beautiful figurative language.
Not to add or take away from the Book of Revelation, Revelation chapter 22:18-19.
Now not to add or take away from the Book of Revelation, would refer to all 27 books of the New Testament, as Revelation is part of those 27 books.
But enough has been presented here with New Testament verses to support the claim in this article. Search for the truth; there are many articles on this site where it can be found.
The truth followed by becoming a Christian has the reward of eternal life. Amen.
Lay not up treasures upon earth, But lay up treasures in heaven, Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)
- 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
- 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
- 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.