Churches of Christ

Over the past two centuries many Christians dropped the name Churches of Christ claiming it isn't a name in Greek. They claim we are given many names and all would be acceptable. Is this actually true that we are given many names? No!  

These aren't names but genitive identifications. The name Christians on the other hand is accusative, it is a name. It was recognized in Acts 11:26 after the Church in Antioch became a recognized assembly. The church had met a milestone of Jew and gentile having a common joy in Christ. The church met a milestone and became a people greater than Judaism, Christians recognizes a people functioning as a wider body or people. Names in the bible often represent a feature, the name Christian associates a wider body under Christ, having joy in Christ. A people called Christians. The word "called" is a traders term, we are allowed to be called a people since we met the criteria. It is similar to being a bushel when you get enough wheat to qualify for the term. In Antioch the Church qualified as a people and were given the name Christians.

Genitive associations below are similar to names but aren't, they are more like descriptions or associations. They normally have the word "of". Some confuse this with origin, but there is an actual Greek word for origin. These are phrases where two nouns are joined to create an identity or possession or association. The association Churches of Christ matches the name Christian, but Christian has a slightly broader usage. Christian and Churches of Christ contain the name Christ and are synonymous, Christian is used of the people in general, churches the assemblies. The word assembly can be local or area wide or world-wide based upon context.

Church of God

Churches of Christ

Disciples of Christ

Church of the firstborn

Churches of the saints

Each one is used by apostles for a different reason. Paul doesn't just randomly choose these, but they fit into what he is highlighting. Church of God is used to distinguish God's authority over man's authority. It is owned and is a property of God. It is used in the Corinthian letter since that Church was promoting man's wisdom over God. As in the masters vineyard, it is owned by God but worked by subordinates. They weren't seeing this relationship clearly so he used a term bearing this out. It highlights divine ownership.

Church of Christ is used for ecclesiastical authority; Christ is head of the Church.  Jesus is Christ which means Lord over. This is used where the churches do something stemming from Christ's authority. Like greet one another with a holy kiss or saluting a fellow church. The Greek word Ecclesiastes means, "one who convenes an assembly". Christ convenes the assembly. Christ establishes fellowship. Christ gave the Lord's Supper.

Disciples of Christ points out role model relations, being students and followers. It isn't related to assembly as much as Church, but covers more of general life.

The phrase that should be used with ecclesiastical authority is Churches of Christ. He is the designated head. Jesus convenes the assembly. Joint action takes place in assemblies like elders meetings or corporate worship, communion.

We are only called Church of God, Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ and designations referring to Christ. Like Church of the firstborn. Jesus is the firstborn over all creation, firstborn means he inherits all things, he inherited authority over more than the church.

 If God gave no actual names but Christians, and only these common designations, who are we to call ourselves other names. Many of the names coming from false doctrinal ideas they want to connect to Christianity. If God didn't give us denominational names we should stick to what he did give, and use them as close as we can to his usage.

It is true Churches of Christ isn't a name like Tom or Karen, but it is a designation and a type of identification. It is a very close identification to Christian. In Greek it is in the genitive case which can be genitive of identification, association, or possession. Romans 16:16 has possible all three types. Since Paul, by the Holy Spirit, used it to identify Christ's assemblies we should use it as well. Church of God addresses God's over all rule, Church of Christ addresses congregations or assemblies under the Christ.

When speaking of distinct assemblies, since each is autonomous in elder governance, Churches of Christ fits that subject. The Churches of Christ chose the correct genitive phrase to address this relationship.

When speaking of people they were called Christians, when speaking of assemblies, they were Churches of Christ. There really isn't another identification in scripture that matches. Psalms 119 scolds those who use human words over God's words. It is a condition of acceptable honor. Also,

Isaiah 58:13 ...nor speaking thine own words...then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord...

Though many have dropped Churches of Christ they shouldn't. Genitive of association is very important to Christ, his name is a great glorification tool, dropping the name weakens the association. Satan wants the association between the church and christ destroyed. It also destroys traditional Church of Christ doctrines like baptism for remission or church worship or church organization which are tied to the name. Satan wants to break this association. The Churches of Christ taught accurately on these subjects and are thereby tied to the identifying name.

Removing the identification Churches of Christ is a satanic movement in my opinion. There is no other proper name or genitive association associated with Christ's assemblies. It is true some see Churches of Christ as a denomination term, but since Christ used it for the association between him and his body, we should too. It is much better and more biblical than the names Catholic, Baptist, or Wesleyan. It is the only "biblical" association.

Matthew 16:18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

The Greek actually says, "the church of me", it is genitive just like "Church of Christ." Christ used a genitive of association in Matthew 16:19.

 Even the name Church of God can be a reference to Christ, since Christ was God in the flesh. Acts 20:28 sees it as a reference to Jesus. Then why translate it Church of God?

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (his references God)

The Greek actually says,

feed the church of the Lord and of God,,,purchased with his own blood (it matches Church of Christ actually, lord and Christ are synonyms.) It is similar to when Thomas called Jesus my Lord and my God. The word Lord is left out in English versions.

"The church of the Lord and of God." (Paul Acts 20:28)

"the Lord of me and the God of me" (Thomas John 20)

What happened is someone saw an opportunity to remove the name Churches of Christ by deception by removing the word kurios (Lord). Then they ran with it to convince everyone it wasn't necessary and that wearing denomination names was perfectly fine. First, they said the church had no name and then set out to give it their own names. Backwards from the precedent. Which is false. God setting a precedent of no name wouldn't be a precedent for your self-given name. 

Churches of Christ is the biblical designation when referring to plural numbers of assemblies. Also, when speaking of local congregations, the method was by using "at" or "in". The church at Philippi or the church at Cenchrea. In such cases there is one church, not plural. It is ok to speak of location when describing a congregation, but not ok to name the church after a person or doctrine.

Just realize Church of Christ is used to represent messianic authority, as in Revelation Jesus addresses the Churches and guides them.

Revelation 22:16

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star. 

When the term Church of God is used it seems to always include Jesus in some way. Church of God is used many times in Paul's epistles ,moreso to Corinth, but others as well. It is used when not speaking of ecclesiastical order like the following. Foods or meats do not pertain to the assembly so the general term Church of God is more contextual. 

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 

Most of I Cor. usage is general.

1 Corinthians 1:2

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 

1 Corinthians 1:3

Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Here you see the joining of the Father and son into joint action. There are two "to", to the church of God and to them sanctified in Christ Jesus. What makes them a church is sanctification in Christ. As with "all those in every place who call upon the name Jesus Christ...

The genitive can be used with any descriptive marker, like "churches of the saints". All of these descriptions are acceptable when used properly, but they shouldn't be adopted as names outside their contexts. but not all are equal in expressing Christ's name. Only Churches of Christ clearly and alone expresses Christ's authority over the body in the ecclesiastical sense. 

Church of God by itself does not mention the Christ. It must be brought in to express how Christ fits in. How God gave Jesus all authority over things in heaven and earth.

The letter to Corinth uses Church of God in places where authority is being ignored. It stresses God, whether the Father or Jesus. Sometimes when used we aren't sure which it is talking about, only we see the introduction of a superior higher person and power over the church. The emphasis is the higher power.

1 Corinthians 11:22

What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise [you] not. 

In this case they are shaming the lower brethren and despise an entity loved by God, not in an ecclesiastical sense but the general idea of love and honor of a God given body. Church of God stresses this relationship to the Godhead. In I thess 2:13-14 we see a connection between God's word and God's authority in the Church, so the term Church of God is used to take in the word of God as a whole, the prophetic Old Testament and New Testament. They became brethren through this word. In this sense the term Church of God brings this into view. Here is a list of Church of God passages. 

I Cor. 1:2, 10:32, 11:16, 11:22, 15:9

2 Cor. 1:1

I Thess. 2:14

2 Thess. 1:4

I Tim. 3:5, 3:15

In general Church of God is used when duties extend outside the assembly into general life. 

In essence we can use them all if contextual and appropriate, but only Church of Christ is associated with Christ's assemblies. When talking about a church building or meeting location the assembly is in view. So don't be ashamed of the term church of Christ or churches of Christ. 

Instruct others to use them correctly. It is just people showing their immaturity. Yes God used different identifications, that just splits us into names until they discover why. Saying God gave us many names doesn't accurately describe the issue. That theory confuses people.

Though we are distant cousins with denominational churches, loosely we are called Christian brethren. It doesn't mean we are all saved. Remember that in Genesis 19:7 Lot called the people of Sodom and Gomorrah brethren, he was required to separate from them or be destroyed with them.