The Truth in Print Vol.
32, Issue 2, Mar. 2026
A Publication of the
Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street,
Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
The Churches of Christ
(Rom 16:16)
Here is a recent short newspaper article
on the first century churches of Christ. If you care to read it then you may also
consider further points concerning names of churches given by men for their
churches they’ve established. The different names have a message in and of
themselves. There was no concept of denominationalism in the first century for
there was just one church, and the scriptures teach the same today as then.
The Churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16)
Churches
in time get smaller and change their names seeking separation from the past
with more attraction. Church splits and relocations often come with name
changes. Billboards used to attract with bands and youth recreations display a
materialistic love of the world’s pleasures above seeking the kingdom first (I
Jo 2:15-17; Matt 6:33; Lk 8:14). Paul said, “The churches of Christ greet you”
in his epistle to the saints in Rome (Rom.16:16). He urged members to “…mark them which cause
divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and
avoid them” (Rom.16:17). These “…serve their own belly; and by good words and
fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom.16:18). There is just one body which is His church: Eph 4:4 There is
one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. Paul said the husband is the head of the wife, even
as Christ is the head of the church, and savior of the body (Eph 5:23). Paul
addressed the church in Corinth to those called be saints: 1Cor 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:” Each local church consisted of
their own members, under their own oversight (Acts 14:23; I Pet 5:1-4), with no
concept of denominationalism — their members being in the one body, i.e., with
“all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Concerning Names of
Churches
The
church of Christ of which Christ is the head, the one body of which He is the
savior, His church, is not (!) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When we identify ourselves as a local church with “Church of Christ” on our
sign that indicates our members belong to the New Testament church established
on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Every one of our members can
show you when Christ’s church began. Furthermore, they can explain to you what men
were commanded to do on that day in order to be saved.
We
have actually had some come by and think by the sign “Church of Christ” at 2375
W. 8th Street that we are the Mormon Church which now prefers what
they say is their revealed name The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. We’re not! That name for the Mormon church speaks volumes about it not
being Christ’s church which originated in the first century. Read Acts 2 for
yourself because most people in denominations and cults do not know when Christ’s
church was established. If Smith had cared enough to study the New Testament and
follow it then you would not hear how he was confused as to what denomination
of “Christianity” to follow and thus started his own church in the 1800s. His
church is 1700 years too late (!) to be Christ’s church.
Peter
was not a Pope or the Pope (Catholic sense) in the first century church.
Shortly before Peter’s death he made certain that Christians understood God
left local church organization – each church having its own elders known as
bishops from among its own membership (I Pet. 5:1-4). Folks, that’s not the
Catholic Church organization! There is absolutely no (!!) doctrine of Papal
Succession in the New Testament.
Names
do speak volumes. Why in the world would the Baptist Churches call themselves
Baptists when denying the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins? In
Peter’s reply as to what to do to be saved on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2)
both “repent” and “be baptized” are imperatives, i.e., commands. Listeners asked
what to do and those who gladly received his word obeyed to be saved: Act 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” … Act 2:41 “Then they that
gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto
them about three thousand souls.” Those added make up the beginning of
Christ’s church.
If
you are going to use a designation to refer to Christ’s church at least use a
scriptural one. Paul’s address to the church at Corinth was: 1Cor 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:” If our church chose to put a sign up that says
“Church of God” it would not mean we are the Pentecostal Church of God denomination
beginning in the early 1900s. Their so-called baptism of the Spirit evidenced
by their claim of speaking in tongues is a farce, as well as their claiming the
gift of prophesy which has ceased (I Cor 13:8). On Pentecost everyone heard the
apostles “speak in his own language” (Acts 2:6, 8). You can read it and
understand that tongues were not the incoherent gibberish heard in Pentecostal
denominational churches. This so-called glossolalia is not worshipping in truth
as required by God (Jo. 4: 24).
The
church revealed in the New Testament scriptures called not called the Baptist
Church, First Christian Church, Methodist Church, Pentecostal Church, or the
Lutheran Church after some man. And remember, in Acts 2 you have recorded by
the Holy Spirit in the scriptures the beginning of the church of Christ.
The Valley Church of
Christ
2375 W. 8th Street,
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services –
Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening –
7:00 pm
To learn more call,
visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com