Expert: Tom Smith - 9/12/2008

Question
WHAT IS THE ONLY CHURCH IN THE BBLE?
WHAT SHOULD THE CHURCH BE NAME?
HOW MANY CHURCHES JESUS BIULT?
SHOULD CHURCHES HAVE MUSIC INSTRUMENTS IN THE CHURCH?

Answer
You asked four questions, so let me deal with each individually.

1) What is the only church in the Bible?

ANSWER:

There are many churches mentioned in the Bible, but before we answer such a question, it is important to define w3hat we mean by the word "church". There are two types of churches spoken of scripture. The first is the body of Christ, which is also called the Church of the Living God. This is the body of all believers. Paul says that we are all individually members of the body of Christ:

1 Cor 12:26-27
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
NKJV

The true church is not an organization, but it is the body of Christ, of overcomers, those who are saved and have the word of God abiding in them. The physical church building represents the church insofar as it has the "pillars" to uphold the word of God within the church, if not, like any building without pillars, it falls.

Those who are unified in the true church are unified through God word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and through the headship of Jesus Christ. This church contains all who are saved, regardless of the congregation, the denomination or whether they are dead or alive. Membership in a specific denomination or congregation does not guarantee membership in the body of Christ. One only becomes a member of this church by being saved through Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

There are also physical congregations, and there are many mentioned in scripture, such as the churches at Corinth, Rome, Laodicea, and many others.

2) What should the church be named?

ANSWER:

There is nothing in scripture which requires a specific name be given to a church.

3) How many churches Jesus built?

ANSWER:

As stated above, the one and only true church is the body of Christ. Physical congregations and churches are sound only insofar as they submit themselves to the word of God, and their leadership are membership of the body of Christ.

That being said, it is important to note that local congregations serve a purpose in that we are commanded to meet together as members of the body of Christ. The church congregation can also be a means by which we are taught sound doctrine and through which we as members of the body of Christ can work together to reach the unsaved.

4) Should churches have musical instruments?

ANSWER:

There is no commandment one way or the other. But we do find musical instruments used in the worship of God:

Ps 98:5-6
5 Sing to the LORD with the harp,
With the harp and the sound of a psalm,
6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn;
Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.
NKJV

2 Chron 29:27-28
27 Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel.
NKJV

There is therefore no reason not to have musical instruments, but no commandment to do so.

Tom Smith
http://discern.ca