The Church which Christ built is neither
denominational nor Protestant.
It possesses no denominating creed, name or
hierarchy. It was not founded in protest to any
existing institution. It is not the product of
the “Reformation” or the “Restoration.” But it
is, and must be, the full-grown plant which has
arisen from the “seed of the kingdom” sown in
the hearts of men
1
.
It is the Church of Christ !
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Its origin is to be found in the gospel of
Christ
2
It is founded on the apostles and prophets with
Christ as the chief corner stone
3.
To date its appearance in history earlier or later
than the atonement of Christ is futile, for it is
His body
4
and He purchased it with His own blood
5
By its
very nature, the body is exclusive: it is one
6 .
There could not conceivably be more than one body as
there is but one head
7.
In the presence of divided Christendom one runs the risk of being
misunderstood by suggesting that there is but one church. It is not here
suggested that there is but one “denomination.” The Church of Jesus
Christ is neither Jewish, Catholic nor Protestant. It is
non-denominational in its origin, worship and organization. It is the
body of Christ, functioning according to the New Testament directions,
organized according to the New Testament pattern and worshipping
according to the New Testament instructions, extensive enough to embrace
in its fellowship all who comply with God’s requirements and who thus
become a part of that body
8.
Moving on through time to its ultimate victory
this “stone cut out of the mountain without
hands” survives the rise and fall of temporal
kingdoms and proves itself to be that which in
reality it is – “The Eternal Kingdom.”
The
Eternal Kingdom. A History of The Church of
Christ
by F. W. Mattox, PH. D
Gospel Light Publishing Company, Delight,
Arkansas |
