One Church

We believe that there is only on Church that was built by Christ (Matthew 16:16-18) and purchased by His own blood (Acts 20:28).  Jesus adds us to his Church when we are saved (Acts 2:47).  The New Testament teaches that the Church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) and that Christ is the head of that body (Colossians 1:18).  Therefore, all authority belongs to Christ.  It is our responsibility to obey the commands of Jesus Christ (John 14:23) and to teach others to obey His commands (Matthew 28:20).  If we love Him, we will obey His commands (John 14:15).

When someone places membership at Mountain View church of Christ, he or she is not “joining” the Church.  In fact, they must already be members of Christ’s body.  They are placing membership to become an integral part of the work of this congregation and accept the authority and leadership of the elders (Hebrews 13:17).  Each congregation is a visible portion of the Church or Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:12).

Paul’s plea was that we be united.  “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).  He also instructed His disciples that they and we would be known by the love shown to each other (John 13:35).  Finally, the apostle Paul asks us to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).