One difference is found in the name itself. We read about "churches of Christ" in Romans 16:16. With only one or two exceptions, other churches cannot find their name in the New Testament. They wear man-made names, not God-given names.

The church of Christ began at the right place. Jerusalem was the city prophesied to be the place the Lord's church/kingdom would begin (Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-2; Luke 24:49,52; Acts 1:8,12; 2:1-5). Men started their own churches centuries later in Rome, Europe, Britain, America, etc. These did not begin at the right place.

The church of Christ began at the right time. Daniel prophesied the Lord's kingdom/church would begin during the days of the Roman Empire (Daniel 2:44). John the baptist and Jesus both preached the kingdom/church was "at hand," meaning it was nearby, on the horizon (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). The church of Christ began in 33 A.D. just as Daniel, John and Jesus said (Acts 2:1-4,16; Joel 2). Churches of men were started centuries later.

The church of Christ was founded by the right person. Jesus, the divine Son of God, the Christ, is its founder and head (Matt. 16:18; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20; 1:21-22). We honor and recognize no other. However, churches of men were founded by men such as Luther, Calvin, Smyth, Wesley, Russell.

The church of Christ believes and teaches the right doctrine. It teaches the Lord's plan of salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:37; 22:16) and authorized acts of worship (singing Eph. 5:19, praying Acts 2:42, Lord's supper and preaching Acts 20:7, giving 1 Cor. 16:2). Other churches "add to" and "take from" the Lord's plan such as counting beads, faith only, baptism not essential and instrumental music. What does your church teach?

The church of Christ today bears the same marks of identify of the church of Christ in the New Testament. Other churches do not match these identifying marks. They are "other plants" which the Lord will root up in the last day (Matt. 15:13). The Lord's church is unique. There is no other like it.

--Garland M. Robinson

Christianity involves caring. It has to do with hearts that sincerely go out to those in need. It embraces the deepest needs of mankind. It knows nothing of pretense. It is real. Christians do not pretend to care. They may not even appear to care in all of the subjective ways that man might judge expressions on faces and tones of voices. Thinking and real people, however, can see the genuine concern that is so much higher and nobler than the fake concern of salesmen and politicians. They reflect the genuine regard that God has for mankind.

Some who call themselves Christians seem to work so hard at giving the appearance of caring that they fail to care. There is no sense of reality. They have swallowed the market-driven mentality that suggests that caring involves appearance rather than love-motivated action. As a result, they seem to allow the ones they are attempting to convince that they "care" to define what caring involves. They try to give others what they want rather than what they need. The so-called "gospel" that they end up presenting to the world ends up being nothing more or less than what the world wants to hear. When the world or any portion of it suggests that caring people say nothing of hell and judgment, they cease teaching what God has given them to teach. In their own shallow and foolish "wisdom," they withhold such truths. When worldly "brethren" define "caring" to mean that sin is never condemned or confronted, that salvation is freely given to all regardless of how they choose to obtain it, that God's requirements and restrictions are not to be mentioned or any number of such things, those whose goal is to pretend to care acquiesce and either add or remove from the true gospel whatever will please the hearers. Such "preachers"--"brethren"--have a mask rather than a heart. Which do you have? When someone tells you that he thinks that one church is just as good as another do you tell him what the Bible teaches on the subject or do you leave him as he is? In other words, do you have a heart that cares enough about his eternal soul or do you have a mask that wins his approval of you personally?

When someone tells you that she became a "born again Christian" by some means other than the gospel plan of salvation, do you risk your friendship by telling her the truth or do you wear a mask? When some brother or sister in Christ involves himself or herself in some "minor" sin (unauthorized worship such as hand-clapping, profane entertainment using psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs..., or any number of other such "minor" sins), do you wear the mask or teach the truth?

The mask tells you that you love yourself and the approval of men more than you love those whose approval you seek. On the day of judgment your mask will be stripped away, and you will stand exposed as one who only pretended to care. The sinners you failed to warn will give you a final look before they are told to depart from the presence of the Lord. The brethren you encouraged in their sin will look at you anew when they see that your "caring" has led them straight to the gates of hell. The mask shows that you love the temporary approval of men more than you love the God of heaven who has asked you to have a heart rather than to wear a mask.

While there is time, get real and have a genuine heart of concern. Act upon God's wisdom and not your own. "You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him" (Lev. 19:17). "Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren" (Deut. 4:9). "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!" (Deut. 5:29). "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might" (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37). "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me" (Matt. 10:37). "My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways" (Prov. 23:26). "The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide" (Psalm 37:31). "I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8). "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11). "When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you" (Prov. 2:10,11). "My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart" (Prov. 3:1-3). "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Prov. 3:5). "Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart" (Prov. 7:3). "Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their revilings" (Isaiah 51:7).

--Tim Nichols