Churches of God

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which ... are in Christ Jesus" (2 Thess. 2:14). What is the nature of those who become followers of the churches of God which are in Christ Jesus? We submit the following for your study.

1. They are catholic. This word means "universal." The commission of Jesus to his ambassadors was to "go into all the world." They were to preach the gospel to every creature. I am catholic, but not a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
2. They are baptists. A baptist is one who baptizes. In current parlance it refers to one who regards immersion as scriptural baptism. I qualify on both counts, so I am a baptist, but I am not a member of The Baptist Church
3. They are methodists. The work of God should be carried on systematically and orderly, that is methodically. Paul rejoiced at the "order and steadfastness of faith" (Col. 2:5). I am a methodist, but not a member of The Methodist Church.
4. They are presbyterian. This indicates rule by a body of elders. Timothy was ordained by a presbytery (1 Tim. 4:14). I am a presbyterian, but not a member of The Presbyterian Church.
5. They are episcopal. This signifies government by bishops. The church at Philippi had bishops and deacons (Phil. 1:1). I am episcopal, but not a member of The Episcopal Church.
6. They are congregationalists. This indicates recognition of the autonomy of the local church, as opposed to a central governing board. I am a congregationalist, but not a member of The Congregational Church.
7. They are friends. Jesus said, "I have called you friends" (John 15:15). I am a friend, but not a member of The Friends Church..
8. They are disciples. A disciple is a learner. It was the disciples who met on the first day of the week to break bread. I am a disciple, but not a member of The Disciples Church.
9. They are brethren. Jesus said, "All ye are brethren" (Matt. 23:8). I am one of the brethren, but not a member of The Church of the Brethren.
10. They are christians. "The disciples were called "Christians" (Acts 11:26). I am one of these, but am not a member of The Christian Church.
11. They are united brethren. They are obligated to guard the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I am united with all of the brethren in Christ, but am not a member of The United Brethren Church.
12. They are an assembly of God. The word ekklesia can be translated "assembly" as justifiably as it can be translated "church" (Cp. Acts 19:32, 39, 41). I am in the assembly of God, but am not a member of The Assembly of God Church.

     In short, I am not a member of any religious party. I am opposed to the party spirit which appropriates scriptural terms and makes a sectarian usage of them. The Brethren are distinguished from Friends, and Disciples from Congregationalists. The height of such folly is seen when a partisan group calls itself United Brethren to segregate itself from Brethren, Friends, and Disciples. The very name "United Brethren" is employed to signify a division.

     I am in the church of the firstborn (Heb. 12:23), but am not a member of The Church of the Firstborn, a modern sect. I am in "the church of God" (1 Cor. 1:2) but am not a member of The Church of God, a modern sect. I am in "the churches of God which are in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 2:14), but am not a member of The Church of God in Christ, a modern sect. I am in the churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16), but hold no brief for The Church of Christ. There are modern parties designating themselves: The Church of God, The Church of the Firstborn, The Church of Christ, and The Church of God in Christ. One such usage is just as scriptural as another, and just as unscriptural when used in a partisan

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sense. It is wrong to take any scriptural and elevate it as a party title to exclusion of other terms given by the Holy Spirit of God.

     I am a member of the church. It is the church of God, the body of Christ, the flock of God, the church of Christ, the kingdom of heaven, the church of the first- born, the temple of God, the church of God in Christ, the family of God, and the assembly of God. It is composed of brethren, saints, disciples, Christians and friends. Every saved person on earth is in it. It is not a party. It is not a conglomeration of parties. There may be, and no doubt are, some in every religious party who are in it. They should leave these parties, and become "followers of the churches of God which are in Christ Jesus."