But when he read and learned through the slogan written in my car which says, "Ako'y Iglesia Ni Cristo" (I am member of the Church of Christ), the then started to talk to me by asking, "Iglesia ni Cristo ka? (Are you member of the Iglesia ni Cristo)?
I answered him with Yes. And then he then told me that the true church built by Christ in Jerusalem is not called Church of Christ but Church of God in Christ.
I asked him why he believed that it was what the true Church is called. And he said that it was called like that because the Church built by Christ is owned by God. So, since Christ is the founder of it, so it is called Church of God in Jesus Christ.
After his brief explanation, I then asked him if he wants to hear my answer why the true Church of Christ is called "Church of Christ" or in Filipino "Iglesia ni Cristo".
He said yes so I started to talk and here's what I told him:
It is true that the owner of the Church is God. When I mention God, it is understood that I am referring to the Father because according to Christ in John 17:3,1 the Father is the only true God.
However, the Bible clearly mentioned that those things owned by God are given to Christ. In other words those things of God are of Christ too.
So, if the Church is of God, then it is also true that it is of Christ.
But why is it that the church's official name is not Church of God but Church of Christ?
(1. ) The church is called Church of Christ because the founder is Christ. I am sure, you will agree that the founder of the Church is Christ. It is recorded in the Bible when Christ said, "I will build my Church" in the book of Matthew in the Bible.
So, if the founder of the church is Christ, then it is rightful to call his church, Church of Christ. But it is not the only reason for it. Continue reading.
(2. ) The owner of the Church is Christ. If you already read what has been written in Matthew 16:18, you'll read that Christ said, "My Church". These words is referring to the church he would build.
In other words, Christ called the church he would build his Church. If he will to say this, of course he would say, My Church. His apostles on the other hand called the Church, Church of Christ.
(3. ) The head of the church is Christ and the body of Christ is the church. Now, how do you call my eyes. Isn't it right that you would rather say, "Eyes of JML" when you would refer to my eyes? The same is true to the body of Christ which is the church. Since the church is the body of Christ, then it is also right to call the church, Church of Christ.
(4. ) The church is the wife of Christ and Christ is the husband. There are many writings in the Church that describe that the church is the wife of Christ.
Haven't you notice that the wife carries the name of the husband? For example, the name of the girl when she was still single was Mary Crisostomo. But he became the wife of Mr. Jose Bolantoy. And because of this, her name became Mary Crisostomo Bolantoy.
Now, since the church is the wife of Christ, then it is of course rightful for the church to carry the name of Christ. And that is the reason why the church is called "Church of Christ".
I think these reasons are clear already. But these are not just the reason. There are other reason too, like Christ purchased the Church.
Haven't you read what has been written in Acts 20:28? The verse tells us that Christ purchased the Church with his own blood.
So, it is true that God is the owner of the church. But Christ purchased it already with his on blood. And buying a property means transferring ownership from one to another.
Since Christ purchased the church already, then the Church is already owned by Christ and he has the right over the Church.
