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THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST
Who are these people who seek to be only "Christians"?
The congregations of which they are a part are usually
known as "churches of Christ." This term is
not used in a sectarian sense, but is intended to denote
their desire to belong to Christ's church.
The Bible says, "The churches of Christ salute
you." (Rom. 16:16). However, it is just as correct
to describe the church as "the church of God"
(I Cor. 1:2), "the body of Christ" (I Cor.
12:27), or "the household of faith" (Gal.
6:10).
These and similar Biblical phrases are not proper
names, but descriptive expressions which show how the
church is related to Christ and His Father.
Individually, Christ's followers are known as "Christians"
in the Bible. "The disciples were first called
'Christians' in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). "If
anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed,
but let him glorify God in this matter" (I Pet.
4:16).
Never does a human name prefix this God given name.
Paul was one of the greatest of all Christians, but
he did not want disciples to be called "Paulites"
or "Paulite Christians." (I Cor. 1:10-17).
Thank you for taking the time to visit our site. If
you have further questions, please call our church office
at 760.734.4500. We look forward to serving you.
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