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The Uniqueness of the Church of Christ
- O. S. ASAOLU
Presented on Sunday, June 17, 2012
@ The Auditorium of
The Church of Christ,
Akoka, Lagos.
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Outline
1.0 Definitions
2.0 Introduction
3.0 The church is unique because it is of Christ
4.0 Manifestly distinct attributes:
(a) Attitude: Accepts sufficiency of the Scriptures and
the ‘oneness proclamations’ therein as true.
(b) Appellation: wears His name
(c) Work: does only Evangelism to the world, Edification
of the saints & Benevolence to its needy
(d) Worship: Acts include Prayer, Preaching/Teaching,
Lord’s Supper as a memorial, Singing and Giving
(e) Organization: Independent congregations with
local officers –Overseers, Deacons, Evangelists and
Teachers.
5.0 Conclusion
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What does the topic mean?
Uniqueness could mean any or all of the
following:
 To be distinct
 Un-paralleled or unequaled
 To be solitary and one of its kind
 To be of unmatched in (usually excellent)
quality
The church means ‘the called out ones,’ an
assembly of believers in Jehovah God; in
particular, a plurality or group of people who
profess faith through Jesus the Son of God.
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The church of Christ refers descriptively to the
body of disciples revealed in the New
Testament scriptures and their successors .
To distinguish between the original church and
other religious movements/denominations
(factions), the phrase ‘Church of Christ’ (COC)
is used as a proper name.
The uniqueness of the church of Christ means the
distinguishing features that makes the church
solitarily different, totally distinct from as well
as superior to all other so-called ‘churches’.
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Introduction
The question ‘What is the identity of Church of
Christ’ is meant to unveil either or both of the
following:
a) What we are specially known for or how we are
perceived by others?
b) What makes us unique from the crowd based
on how God sees us in His word?
The most common remarks by denominational
people about us are: “the COC people believe in
‘baptismal regeneration,’ they lecture themselves
with the Bible, all the men have the opportunity so
minister, their services are not lively because they do
not use instrumental music and they believe that
they are the only ones going to heaven.”
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God says “But ye are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the praises
of him who hath called you out of darkness
into his marvellous light”-1 Peter 2:9
Men do not see as the LORD does, the testimony
of God is better. Recall Mt 16:13-17
For not he that commendeth himself is
approved,
but
whom
the
Lord
commendeth. -2 Corinthians 10:18
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The church is unique because it is of Christ!
If the church is unique, (and it is!), that does not stem
out of us as individuals who are better, smarter or
holier than other religious folks. Neither does it
originate out of what we do or do not do of ourselves,
rather the uniqueness is based on the simple fact that
the Church is of Christ.
That is, the church was purposed through Christ
(Eph 3:9-11), is promised by Christ (Mt 16:18), He
purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28), built it
as His own house (Heb 3:6) and it is the agency
through which God is to be glorified throughout all
generations (Eph 3:21). It is the body of the saved
(Acts 2:47), as well as the kingdom of God (Eph 5:5,
Col 1:13) over which Christ reigns as King (Acts 8:12,
17:7, 1 Cor 15; 24-26).
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The church of Christ is unique in its origin also with
respect to the time and place of its establishment –
A.D. 33 in Jerusalem, which is a fulfillment of
numerous Old Testament Scriptures (Dan 2:37-44,
Mk 1:14-15 & 9:1, Acts 1:1-8 & 2:22-36).
The original and true church is established upon the
divinity and resurrection of Christ (Rm 1:1-4) thus
he is able to save to the uttermost those who trust in
Him. He is the builder (Mt 16:18), foundation (1 Cor
3:11) and sustainer (Eph 5:29) and lawgiver (Heb 8:6).
All other religious groups, including all denominational
churches, are conceived, built and ruled by ordinary,
sinful, mortal men.
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Unique with respect to (WRT) its
Attitude to the Scriptures
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles
of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of
the ability which God giveth… 1 Pt. 4:11
 … All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works - 2 Tim 3:15 -17.
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Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the
doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in
the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son. -2 Jn 1:9
 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words
of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add
unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues
that are written in this book: And if any man shall take
away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God
shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out
of the holy city, and from the things which are written
in this book. –Rev 22:18-19
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The church today believes that the faith has been
delivered once for all time, through the early
apostles (Jude 3, Heb 2:3-4) whom Christ promised
would be led into all truth (Jn 16:13).
The faith was established and thoroughly documented,
we are not to go beyond the written message already
confirmed through the apostles –Eph 3:1-5, 2Pt 1:2-3 &
3:2, 1 Jn 4:6, 1 Cor 4:6.
Faithful churches of Christ do not subscribe to human
creeds or manuals but believe in the sufficiency of the
scriptures for faith and practice.
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There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called
in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith,
one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is
above all, and through all, and in you all. –Eph 4:4-6
The Lord is Jesus of Nazareth (1 Cor 8:6) not Jesu
Oyingbo, Olumba, Guru Maharaji, etc. The body is
the original church (1 Cor 12:27, Col 1:18), the faith is
the totality of the NT gospel (Acts 6:7, Gal 1:23), the
baptism is immersion in water into Christ for
remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 10:47-48; 19:3-5) and the
hope is eternal life in heaven (Col 1:5 & Tit 1:3).
Otherwise, people should call on the name of
different lords and simultaneously belong to
different denominations, practice sprinkling, pouring,
caning and immersion as baptism, hope to inherit
the earth, go to purgatory, and inherit heaven all at
the same time, etc. Is God the author of confusion? 12
Unique WRT to its Name
Any religious group can claim to follow the Bible
and allege that they are the offshoot or
continuation of the early church.
One simple, fast and clear way of verification
is to compare whether the name they bear
is scriptural, without addition or subtraction.
If their appellation is not found in and
harmonious with the New Testament, THEN
they are either a lying group of false teachers
or a sincere assembly having zeal without
knowledge or a combination of both!
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Christ not only promised to build the church, He
informed all that it is His –using the possessive
phrase “my church” in Mt 16:18. He is the messiah
who has all authority (Mt 28:18). Neither is there
salvation in any other name (Acts 4:12), the family of
believers is named after him (Eph 3:15) and His is the
greatest name in the universe (Phil 2:9-10).
It is patently incongruous (odd) that anyone would
claim to be a follower of Christ and yet refuse to bear
or wear His name as a mark of honour and identity.
Since He is God manifest in the flesh who redeemed
us (Jn 1:12-17, Rm 9:5, Acts 20:28), the various
congregations of His people in different locations are
known scripturally as the churches of Christ (Rm
16:16), meaning that each Church of God is a Church
of Christ -1 Cor 1:2.
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God called the disciples (who are the members of the
church –compare Acts 8:1 with Acts 9:1) Christians in
Acts 11:26.
Thus members of Church of Christ are called Christians
while the members of denominational churches wear
humanly-given names. It is offensive and divisive to
hold contrary to the teachings of the Lord and His
apostles, e.g. on church ownership and designation.
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of
Christ salute you. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark
them which cause divisions and offences contrary to
the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ,
but their own belly; and by good words and fair
speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. -Rm 16:16-18.
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Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the
same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of
you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of
Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now
this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and
I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ
divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye
baptized in the name of Paul? -1 Cor 10:1-13
For a professing believer to fail to glorify God as
directed (1 Pt 4:16) when s/he wears a human
religious name or for a church to bear an
uninspired name is carnal (1 Cor 3:3-4) and
therefore …spiritually deadly (Rm 8:6).
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Unique WRT to its Work
The church glorifies God in all era by acts of worship and service.
The Lord allotted spiritual work to His servants as individuals
and as congregations –Mt 25:14-30, Jms 1:25 & 1 Cor 15:58, Rev
2-3.
Christ has not authorized the church to engage in
trading or entertainment, rather He has given us the unique
work of:
Evangelism –preaching the gospel of salvation to the humans
lost in sin for their redemption before the world and heavenly
principalities (Lk 24:47, Eph 3:10, 1 Tim 3:15, 1Thess 1:8)
Edification –building up and equipping the saints unto maturity
(1 Thess 5:11, Eph 4:11-13)
Benevolence –providing material succour primarily for her needy
–1 Cor 16:1-2, 2 Cor 8:13-15
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Unique WRT to its Worship
For the church revealed in the Bible, its acts of worship are simple
and uncomplicated, spiritual in nature not sensuous (Jn
4:24). We are to revere God in sincerity as His word directs.
Otherwise it becomes vain, will or ignorant worship (Mt 15:79, Acts 17:23, Col 2:18-23). True worship includes prayer,
preaching and teaching, Lord’s Supper, singing and giving.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and
the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of
bread, and in prayers. …And all that believed were together,
and had all things common; Praising God, and having favour
with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved –Acts 2:41…47
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God
by Jesus Christ. -1 Pt 2:5
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Unique WRT to its Organization
Another easy way of cross-checking whether a church is the
uniquely scriptural one we can read about in the Bible is
to compare the offices and titles it has with that in the
New Testament.
If the structure is dissimilar THEN such group merely pretend to
believe the word of God! No believer who truly respects Christ
will ascribe divine titles such as Reverend, His Grace, His
Holiness, etc. unto himself nor would s/he manufacture or
support the usage of titles like General Overseer. True
Christians who read and believe their Bible knows that Christ
ALONE is the Head of the church (Eph 1:21-23). They also know
that the true Headquarters is in heaven where the Head (Jesus)
is presently –Heb 8:1 & 12:22-24.
The local congregation is the organizational unit for churches of
Christ. Jesus remains the Head, the early apostles and prophets
remain the foundation (Eph 2:19-21) while Christians are lively
stones. The acceptable local officers are Elders, Deacons,
Preachers and Teachers (Acts 14:23, 1 Tim 3 – 4, Eph 4:11)
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Conclusions
There is one body IMPLIES that there is but one church (Eph 4:4
& 1:23), just as there is one Lord means that there is one
saviour! Denominations give various EXCUSES as to why
they do not and will not wear the Lord’s name or follow His
word. They carry and quote the Bible but prefer to obey their
founders and pastors instead of Christ.
The Church of Christ is different, and must be differentiated from
denominational churches. Its uniqueness is so
unambiguous in origin, founder, name, attitude to
scriptures, work, worship and organization that it can
not be mistaken. If we do not apostatize, the uniqueness of
the Lord’s church is guaranteed in our land. ‘Brethren’ who are
writing religious Constitution, electing national officers and
making other faith-innovations are attempting to destroy that
uniqueness (Gal 2:4). Take heed therefore unto yourselves…
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity. -2Tim 2:19.
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THANK YOU!
Questions?
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