Have you ever been asked, "What is the difference between the church of Christ and other denominations?" Many of us have. Or, maybe someone has asked you, "Is it true that the church of Christ does not have music like all the other denominations do?" Perhaps someone has inquired, "Why doesn’t the church of Christ celebrate Easter like most other denominations do?"

I always appreciate the opportunity to answer questions that are presented by people that have a genuine desire to learn the truth about the Lord’s church or any other Bible topic. That being said, did you notice that each of the three questions stated above involves a misconception? That false idea is revealed in the word "other." When people talk about "the church of Christ and other denominations," what are they doing? They are speaking of the church as if it were a denomination. They are lumping the Lord’s church right in with man-made organizations.

We are not surprised to hear denominational people speak of the church as if it were a denomination. It is disappointing, though, sometimes frustrating to no end, to hear members of the church speak of "the church of Christ and other denominations." Brethren, leave off the word "other" and the statements are fine. Leave off the word "other" and it makes a clear distinction between the Lord’s body and those institutions that men began.

Biblically speaking, the church that Jesus built is not a denomination (Matthew 16:18). Why, no, it is not part of the whole family of God: the church of Christ IS the family of God (1 Timothy 3:15). The church is not part of the saved, it IS the saved (Ephesians 5:23). The church which Jesus bought with His own blood (Acts 20:28) is not a denomination, it is not a part of a denomination, it is not made up of denominations, and it has no fellowship with denominations.

When people make false statements or imply false things about the church, I try to pick my spots in showing them that their terminology or reasoning is not accurate. But, when we speak, brethren, let us make certain that we speak correctly. Please, it is not "the church of Christ and other denominations." Leave off the word "other" and you will have it right: "the church of Christ and denominations."

-- Roger D. Campbell