The Churches Of Christ

THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Alexander Campbell, one of the leading figures of the Restoration Movement in the 19th century, had strong views on the naming of the church, especially the use of the term "Church of Christ."

His comments were rooted in the desire to restore the New Testament ekklesia in name, doctrine, and practice — without adopting human-made titles, denominations, or sectarian labels.

Campbell affirmed the use of “Church of Christ” because it was a scriptural designation (cf. Romans 16:16: “the churches of Christ salute you”), but he was cautious not to treat it as a sectarian or exclusive title.

“The church of Christ is not a sect. It is not a party. It is the body of Christ. Let us not, then, make it a sect by contending for the name rather than the reality.”

— Alexander Campbell, The Christian Baptist, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1823)

He emphasized that “Church of Christ” is a description of ownership and relationship, not a name brand or organizational label.

Campbell opposed the idea that one group could claim exclusive rights to the term “Church of Christ,” warning that doing so made the body of Christ into another denomination.

“If any one sect assumes the name ‘Church of Christ’ as a sectarian name, they have abandoned the principle for which we plead.”

— Millennial Harbinger, 1837

He was clear that any biblical name — such as “Church of God,” “Church of the Firstborn,” or simply “the Way” — could be used as long as it reflects Christ and is not abused as a party label.

Campbell often attacked the use of denominational titles (like Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran) because they fostered division. But he also warned that even a biblical name can become divisive if used in a sectarian spirit.

“The assumption of any name not given by divine authority is rebellion against the authority of Christ. But the making of any name, however scriptural, a badge of party, is equally reprehensible.”

— Christian Baptist, 1824

So, naming the congregation "Church of Christ" was acceptable in his view — as long as it didn’t become a sectarian identifier or used to exclude others who were faithful.

Campbell preferred terms like "Disciples" or "Christians" to refer to individuals, and "the church of Christ" or "church of God" to refer to the community of believers, always in the descriptive sense, not as a trademark.

In direct contradiction to Alexander Campbell’s warnings, the modern-day churches of Christ have often done exactly what he cautioned against: they have taken the biblical phrase “Church of Christ” and turned it into a sectarian title rather than a simple, descriptive term.

By treating the name as an exclusive marker of the “one true church,” many have created a denominational identity, often isolating themselves from other sincere disciples of the Messiah. In doing so, they have departed from the Restoration ideal — replacing unity in Christ with identity in a name, thus becoming, in practice, another denomination among many, despite professing otherwise.
Putting "Church of Christ" on the sign today, while biblically accurate in wording, has become in practice and public perception a denominational label — precisely what Alexander Campbell warned against.

Even though “church of Christ” is biblical language, in modern America it has become strongly associated with a specific denomination — one with distinct doctrines, buildings, traditions, and boundaries.

So, for most outsiders, seeing “Church of Christ” on a sign does not mean:

“Oh, these are just believers who follow Christ.”

It instead means:

“Oh, that’s one of the many denominations — like Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal.”

Which contradicts the original goal of the Restoration Movement:

To restore the ekklesia to its non-sectarian, biblical roots.

Alexander Campbell accepted biblical names like “church of Christ” only as descriptions, never as exclusive names or party titles.

He said:

“If any one sect assumes the name ‘Church of Christ’ as a sectarian name, they have abandoned the principle for which we plead.”

— Millennial Harbinger, 1837

But today, the "Church of Christ" functions just as that, a sectarian title!

Members often believe only congregations with that name are valid.

Others are rejected even if their faith and practice align with Scripture.

The name is defended more than the Christ Himself.

The church is the people, not the building, the building is simply a place for the church to gather.

The phrase “Church of Christ” has become sectarian in perception, largely due to the legalistic Acapella branch of the Churches of Christ

and the goal is to honor Scripture and avoid sectarianism,

Putting “Church of Christ” on the sign today can actually:

Tie you to a denomination, and confuse seekers looking for biblical faith rather than a human-made system.
Paul rebukes sectarianism in 1 Corinthians 1:10–13, and it deeply relates to what’s happening today within the Churches of Christ.

Let’s look at what Paul said:

1 Corinthians 1:10–13

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing...

For it hath been declared unto me...that there are contentions among you.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith,

— I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

The Corinthian believers were dividing themselves based on who baptized them, or who they followed.

Some said, “I am of Paul,” “I am of Apollos,” “I am of Cephas,” and even — "I am of Christ."

Now wait — isn’t "I am of Christ" the correct view?

Yes… unless it’s being used in a sectarian or exclusive way —

When it is used as a denominational title of distinction.

That’s what Paul is condemning.

So, even claiming “I am of Christ” can be sectarian if it's used with a party spirit.

The name "Church of Christ", once used biblically, is now often a sectarian claim —

“We are the true church. If you're not in a building with this name, you're lost.”

That’s not unity, it’s denominationalism with a biblical label.

The problem is not the name, but the party spirit behind it.

“Some of you say, ‘I am of the Catholic Church ,’ and others say, ‘I am of the Baptist Church ,’ and others, ‘I am of the non-denominational church ,’ and still others, ‘I am of Christ.’”

Paul was warning against the very mindset we now see when people claim exclusivity by saying “I am of Christ” in a way that is denominational.

That’s not restoration — that’s division, and Paul condemned it 2,000 years ago.