We welcome you to the
South Highway Five Church of Christ
Ye Are The Body of Christ
Ye Are The Body of Christ
To the church of God at Corinth, the apostle said, "Ye are the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:2; 12:27). When we read the New Testament, we find that a Christian is one who is a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). Since the body of Christ is the church of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23; Colossians 1:18), and every Christian is a member of the body of Christ, then every Christian is a member of the church of Christ. One cannot be a Christian and not be a member of the church of Christ. The church of Christ is Christians.
A careful reading of Acts 2:37-47 enables anyone to understand that what makes one a Christian also makes one a member of the church (body) of Christ (note also 1 Corinthians 12:13). When people hear God's word and their faith is such that they repent of sins, confess Christ, and are baptized into Christ for the remission of their sins (Romans 10:10,17; Acts 2:38), the Lord Himself adds them to His church. A truth seemingly not noticed by many is that Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18). Thus, the apostle Paul wrote, "The churches of Christ salute you" (Romans 16:16).
All over the world people rejoice to discover there are those who plead for this simple, undenominational teaching of the New Testament concerning Christ, His church, and salvation from sin. Neither Denominational nor Interdenominational; Neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jew.
The division in "Christendom" today is very different from the unity taught by Christ and the inspired authors of the New Testament. In the shadow of the cross Jesus prayed for unity and oneness among His disciples (John 17:17-21). The apostle Paul commanded oneness (1 Corinthians 1:10) and rebuked any hint of denominational names and divisions (1 Corinthians 1:11-15).
Since the days of the early church, the teachings and traditions of men (Matthew 15:9) have caused religious divisions. Even today churches are named after men, ordinances, and policy. Many have their own confessions and creeds, manuals and disciplines. Such divisions are displeasing to God, churches of Christ have no denominational name, organization, hierarchy, or creed. Our desire is to wear the name of Christ only and to pattern our work and worship after His New Testament. We desire to be Christians only. On this basis we seek to be united with all Christians. We seek to point people to the cross of Christ that in Him people may have the forgiveness of sin and hope of eternal life. Since forgiveness is "in Christ" (Ephesians 1:7), we urge all people to be "baptized into Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:3). Stephen D. Rook