“The Identity of the New Testament Church”

 Ben Bailey

To identify the church of the New Testament, it is imperative to recognize the person with the authority to establish it and the pattern he used.  In our world there are numerous religious inventors, and numerous man-made creeds to follow.  However, in the Bible there is only one founder of the church—Jesus Christ, and only one pattern—The Bible.

Jesus Christ is the sole founder and builder of the church.  Paul said that He could be the only foundation.   “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).  Jesus Himself promised he would be the builder of the church.  “I will build My church…” (Matt. 16:18).  The New Testament teaches that Jesus is the owner of the church.  “…the church of the Lord, which He purchases with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).  Today, Jesus is still the head of the New Testament church.  “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church…” (Eph. 1:21-23).  In matters of doctrine, Jesus has all authority in His church.  “All authority has been given to Me on Heaven and on Earth” (Matt. 28:18-20).  Since the church is the bride of the Lord (Eph. 5:21-31), it should wear the name of her husband—Jesus Christ.  All of these passages and principles come together to teach us that the church belongs solely to Jesus and it should follow His direction and wear His name.  The implication is that it is sinful for men to come along thousands of years later and name the church after some man and make up creeds for it to follow.  If we are going to be members of the Lord’s church we had better wear His name and follow His teaching.

It is the Christian’s God-given responsibility to “prove all things” (1 Thes. 5:21).  Let me encourage you to take this challenge.  After reading the Scriptures found in this article, go and find out who established your church.  Also, find out why the church you are a part of wears some other name than the name of Christ.  If you church was established by any other person than Jesus and wears a man-made not God-given name then it is not the church of the New Testament.