Cedar Springs Church of Christ

Many passages predict the beginning and coming of the church.  (Daniel 2:44) predicts a kingdom that God would set up during the Roman Empire (v44) "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. John the Baptist taught that this kingdom was "at hand" (Matthew 3:1, 2). The Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ promised, "…I will build my church and the gates of hell (grave) shall not prevail against it” (Matt16:18)."

     Notice that all these passages look forward to the beginning of the church. Even during Jesus' lifetime, the church did not exist, but He predicted to build it. If we now look toward the end of the New Testament, we will find the church definitely in existence. Paul instructed men how to behave themselves "in the church" (1Tim 3:15),   and other Christians were in the kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

     Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told his Apostles, “to be witnesses of him in Jerusalem, and in Judaea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). Peter preached the first gospel sermon and 3000 souls were baptized the same day (Acts 2: 36-41). "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). This was the beginning of the Lord's church. The time was 33AD and the church was mentioned as being in existence. According to this verse, there was no doctrine to join the church, but the Lord added to His church.

     There is record of only one church in the Bible. The scriptures declare Jesus built only one (Eph 4:3, Col 1:18). If the Lord's church started in 33AD, where, when and who started the denominational churches which exists today? Secular history, of prominent churches, of the last 19 centuries confirm the church, place of origin, year and founder of the 12 most popular man-made entities, as listed below:

      It is imperative to be taught, know, understand and believe that the Lord’s church i.e. the church of Christ (Rom 16:16), which was started, in 33AD, was the only church in the world, for 573 years, until Boniface III, started the Roman Catholic in 606 AD. The math is simplistic (606-33=573). If Jesus would have returned, for His church, one, two, ten, four hundred, or five hundred and seventy three years later, the only church which would have been taken to heaven, would have been His.

     It is of great importance to know when and who started these denominations. We must identify the founder, place and year of these churches. Jesus promised to build His church (Matt 16:18) "upon this rock I will build my church". The word "church" is singular. This is contrary to what so many believe today. Jesus gave himself for his church (Eph 5:25). “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Col 1: 18), which means first…He was the first to say, “I will build my church” (Matt 16: 18), and the first church to come into existence on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 36-47). Therefore the church is married to Christ (Rom 7:1-4) and is governed by His words and must wear His name, “Salute one another with an holy kiss, the churches of Christ salute you” (Rom 16:16).

     Man does not have the authority to change, add or subtract from “what thus saith the Lord"(Deut 4:2, Pro 30: 5, 6, Rev 22: 18,19). All Creeds should be abandoned, in favor, of the scriptures only. God loves every soul and wants all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). The gospel of Christ is preached, the willing receives it, repentance is accomplished, and baptism (immersion in water) is administered. The blood, of Jesus Christ cleanses the baptized believers of their sins and then the Lord adds the saved to the church that Jesus built (Acts 2:47).   

     We are encouraged to love all men, but are obligated to speak truth to every man his neighbor. Open the Bible, search the scriptures and research the beginning of these denominational (division) churches, which have lead men astray in the fundamental teachings, of the New Testament Pattern, of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Matt 28: 18-20).