Church of Christ

28/03/2025

MAN IS SAVED BY WORKS?

John 6:27Jesus said, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal(mark of identification).” 28Therefore they said to Him, “What are we to do, so that we may accomplish the WORKS OF GOD?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe (πιστεύητε..Verb), in Him whom He has sent.” [you will notice that "belief is a work, verb means action ", a work of God.]

MAN IS JUSTIFIED (SAVED) BY WORKS

James 2:18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the qsdemons believe—and shudder! 20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that FAITH APART FROM WORKS IS USELESS? 21Was not Abraham our father JUSTIFIED BY WORKS when he offered up his son dIsaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24You see that a person JUSTIFIED BY WORKS AND NOT FAITH ALONE. James 2:25And in the same way was not also Rahab the pr******te justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Man is saved not by works that he comes up with but by the works that God gives him to do. Matt.28:18-19, Acts2:38, Gal.3:26-27, 1Pet.3:21, Luke 13:3, Mark 16:15-16.

BY FAITH ABRAHAM OBEYED

Heb.11:8 BY FAITH ABRAHAM, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, OBEYED and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

ABRAHAMS FAITH WAS ACTIVE
Gen.22:2. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” 3Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” 6Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7Isaac spokbe up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

BY FAITH ABEL OFFERED

Heb.11:4BY FAITH ABEL OFFERED to God a better sacrifice than Cain, throughwhich he was attested to be righteous, God testifying [e]about his gifts, and through [f]faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

BY FAITH NOAH PREPARED

Heb.11:7BY FAITH NOAH, being warned by God about things not yet seen, [g]in reverence PREPARED AN ARK for the salvation of his household, by whichhe condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

BY FAITH ISAAC BLESSED

Heb.11:”20BY FAITH ISAAC BLESSED Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

Heb.11:21 BY FAITH JACOB, as he was dying, BLESSED each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

Heb.11:22 BY FAITH JOSEPH, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and GAVE ORDERS concerning his bones.

Heb.11:23 BY FAITH MOSES, when he was born, was HIDDEN for three months by HIS PARENTS, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

Heb.11:24 BY FAITH MOSES, when he had grown up, REFUSED to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, 26considering the [r]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

Heb.11:27 BY FAITH HE (Moses) LEFT EGYPT, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though seeing Him who is unseen.

Heb.11:28 BY FAITH HE (Moses) KEPT THE PASSOVER and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.

Heb.11:29 BY FAITH THEY PASSED THROUGH THE RED SEA as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were [t]drowned.

MAN IS SAVED BY WORKS
John3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVES(πιστεύων..Verb), on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
COMMENTS:
(1. John 6:27 says faith is a work.
(2. This eludes to the faith required in the upcoming new covenant.
(3. Eternal life was not offered under the old covenant. But will be offered in the new covenant.

FAITH IS A WORK (Verb sows action)
1John 5:10The one who BELIEVES (Verb), in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believeGod has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11And the testimony is this, that God has given us ETERNAL LIFE, and this life is in His Son. 12The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

Types of Works:
Works of death (2Cor.4:12),
Works of lawlessness (2Thess.2:7),
Good works (1Tim.5:10,
Works of denial (Tit.1:16),
Works of God (John 5:36),
Works of faith (2Thess.1:3).
Works of God (John 9:4),
Works of the law (Gal.2:16,3:5),

FAITH IS A WORK.
John 6:27Do not work( ἐργάζεσθε), for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set HIS SEAL(ἐσφράγισεν, mark of identification ),.” 28Therefore they said to Him, “What are we to do, so that we may ACCOMPLISH( ἐργαζώμεθα), the WORKS(ἔργα ), OF GOD?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the WORK( ἔργον), of God, that you BELIEVE (πιστεύητε), in Him whom He has sent.” [you will notice that "belief is a work"].

BAPTISM IS A WORK OF GOD

Col.2:11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh (water baptism Acts2:38), by the circumcision of Christ, 12having been BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM (baptism Acts2:38), in which you were also RAISED WITH HIM THROUGH FAITH(new birth John3:5) in the powerful WORKING OF GOD, who raised him from the dead.

21/03/2025

The King James Version of God’s Holy Word, the Bible, says, “These things write I to you, hoping to come to you shortly: but if I wait long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14-15).
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST…
Loved ones, Jesus only built one church, His church, the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18-19). The Church of Christ is the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). There is only ONE Body (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore, there is only one Church. That's why we meet with and are individually members of the local church of Christ.
The church must be Christ's, or it is NOT the church of Christ but a denomination. The word “church” is derived from the Greek word “ekklesia” which means a called-out people who have gathered for a specific purpose. e.g. community meeting; people coming together to fellowship; a gathering or an assembly, etc. God used the same word "ekklesia" to call the people whom He called out by His gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14) to Himself. He called them out of darkness into the light which is in the Kingdom of His Son, Jesus (Colossians 1:13).
When God calls us by the gospel and we believe and are baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16) we are saved and He adds us to the church of His Son Jesus (Acts 2:41, 47). We don't join a church of our choice, nor does a small voice tell us in a dream or vision with which church we must associate ourselves. As there is no other name given to sinners by which we must be saved (Jesus - Acts 4:12), it is also true that there is no other church where you can find saved people as per the New Testament doctrine, but the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:27).
How can one know that this is the church that was built by Jesus (Matthew 16:18) or the church of the first century found in the New Testament? Here are a few answers:
1. It was built by Christ; belongs to Christ; wears the name of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16).
2. It is entered by the steps of faith, repentance, confession and water baptism (Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38).
3. It teaches baptism for [unto] the remission of sins by the blood of Jesus (Matthew 26:28; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Revelation 1:5).
4. It practices immersion for baptism- a “burial” in water (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). This baptism puts one into Christ where forgiveness, salvation and eternal life is located (Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 John 5:11).
5. It baptizes only accountable persons; i.e. – people who are capable of hearing, believing and obeying (Acts 8:34-39; 16:31-34). No baby or infant needs to be baptized.
6. The church of Christ is made up of those saved by Jesus Christ. The Lord adds all who are saved to His church (Acts 2:47). Jesus was/is the Saviour of the body, the church (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 5:23).
7. Each congregation is independent and self-governing (autonomous) under Christ as the Head, the only Head. The first century church had no earthly headquarters; neither does the church of this century. We do the work God assigned to the local church; i.e. – evangelism, edification and benevolence (Ephesians 4:11-13).
8. It selects qualified men called “elders” and/or “bishops” to oversee and shepherd each congregation (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
9. It appoints respected men to serve as deacons in each congregation (1 Timothy 3:8ff; Philippians 1:1; See also Acts 6:1-8).
10. It assembles on the first day of the week and partakes of the Lord's Supper on a regular, weekly basis (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20ff).
11. It sings in worship to God. The church of Christ in Ephesus was instructed, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). The practice of Christ's church in the first century was to sing in worship without the accompaniment of mechanical instruments.
12. It heeds the instructions of inspired men of God who taught that the financial needs of the congregations should be provided by Christians giving “as prospered” on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
13. It’s members are those that respect the authority of the Holy Scriptures and who believed in “speaking as the oracles of God” – not adding to nor taking from the Word of God (1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 4:11; Revelation 22:18-19).
14. Its members are called Christians (Acts 11:26). Christians are a people who are willing to give their lives for the Christ who gave His life for the church (Examples: Stephen, James, and Paul - Acts 7, 12, 21:13).
15. Followers of Jesus practiced “pure and undefiled religion” – visiting the fatherless and the widows in their affliction and keeping themselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27).
16. Members of the church of Christ are trusting people who are persuaded that nothing can separate us from the love of God and who have great confidence in the grace of God (Romans 8:36-39; Ephesians 2:8ff).
17. We are faithful disciples who believe that life beyond the grave is “far better” than life on this earth and who look forward to going to be in the eternal home on high with the Lord (Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10).
Are you a Christian? Are you a member of Christ's church?” Do you know if you are in the church of the first century - the church of the New Testament?
If you are not a member of the church discussed above, then you are not a Christian; you are not saved; you are a member a pseudo-church or denomination governed by the traditions and teachings of men.
The church of Christ is the only church where you can find saved people as commanded in the New Testament. Any other church which is not found in the New Testament does not belong to Jesus Christ.
Are you a member of the church which is identical to that of the first century? Are you willing to study the Bible with us in order to find the church of the Bible? If you are, please let us know so that we can set up a personal Bible study with you in a place and time that is convenient for you. The God of Heaven is so Good. We love you all so much.

26/02/2025

To those of you who are in the vicinity of Kota Kinabalu, Tambunan, Keningau, Tenom, Kudat, Sandakan and Tawau you are invited to a Christian Bible discussion on the topic of “What must I do to be saved?” No fees ask but just your time and no argument or hate words. Just be friendly and let us discuss this important aspect for your soul’s salvation.
Call - 016-819 4911; ask for N. Rowe.

09/02/2025

Colossians 2: 8 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

I had a chat with a man who was then brought up in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church.
During our course of discussion, he brought up a philosophical thought, similar to the one Bruce Lee created.
Upon hearing what he sophistically said, I was shocked that he had left his former faith and is now, a none Bible devotee. He is also an instructor of Chinese Martial Arts defence; in his house where we had our discourse hangs several of the affiliated Art plus, several swords and spears depicting those used by old Chinese Imperial guards and soldiers. He even warned me not to evangelize the Bible doctrine to him. I persuaded him to be fair-minded in this discussion and, to hear what we have. He continues to discard that advice. Jesus once said of such men during one of His teachings, Matthew 10: 14, “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.” Well, that’s what I did!
As preachers of the word, we do expect that!

08/02/2025

20/01/2025

The Link In The Chain: There's a way for those who want life better than what they alone find.

I'm not the one to make judgements; I'm not the one to set goals,
I'm just a tool for the Master, part of His team to save souls.
I'm not the one with the answers to all the questions you ask,
I'm not the one full of knowledge; I'm hardly up to the task.

I too am searching, for why has the world gone astray.
I have found peace in my Saviour but others have not found their way.
So, God, if You're willing to use me, a link in the chain of events,
Give me instructions to follow, words that to lost souls make sense.

Help me to keep it as simple as Jesus revealed to the crowd;
Not oratorical flourish, not being boisterous or loud.
Simply the plan of salvation, let it appeal to mankind,
It is wonderful peace You have offered,

Peace to the soul and the mind!

15/01/2025

The Law contrasted with The Gospel of Christ

1. Given by Moses, Jn. 1:17 1. Given by Christ, Jn. 1:17
2. Spoken by prophets, Heb. 1:1 2. Spoken by Christ, Heb. 1:2
3. To Jews only, Dt. 5:1-15 3. To every creature, Mk. 16:15-16
4. To last till Christ, Ex. 31:13-17 4. Last to end of world, Mt. 28:20
5. Would pass away, Mt. 5:17 5. Abides forever, 1 Pet. 1:23-25
6. Changeable priesthood, Heb. 7:12 6. Unchangeable priesthood, Heb. 7:14
7. Blood of animals, Heb. 10:4 7. Blood of Christ, Heb. 9:14
8. No forgiveness of sins, Heb. 10:3 8. Sins forgiven, Heb. 8:12
9. High priest on earth, Heb. 8:3-4 9. High priest not on earth, Heb. 8:4
10. Law was good, Rom. 7:12 10. Better covenant, Heb. 8:6
11. Imperfect, Heb. 8:7 11. Faultless, Heb. 8:7
12. Children by fleshly birth 12. Children by spiritual birth, Jn. 3:3-5
13. Jew outwardly, Rom. 2:28 13. Jew inwardly, Rom. 2:29

Gentiles were not under the law of Moses. Paul said the "Gentiles...have not the law" (Rom. 2:14). Moses said "the Lord made not this covenant with our fathers but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day" (Deut. 5:3).

The law of Moses was made known by God through Moses from Mount Sinai. God caned Moses upon mount Sinai and spoke to him (Ex. 19:16-25). God delivered to Moses his law that he was to deliver unto the people (Ex. 20, 21, 22, 23). Part of that law was "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Ex. 20:8). Nehemiah said to God "Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: And madest known unto them thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant" (Neh. 9:13-15).

The Sabbath was not observed from creation but rather from mount Sinai. Moses said, "The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day" (Deut. 5:3). Nehemiah said, "Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai...and madest known unto them thy holy Sabbath" (Neh. 9:13-14). How could men keep that which had not be made known unto them? The day God had Israel to keep holy unto him was the same day upon which he had rested or ceased his creation (Gen. 2:2). The Sabbath was observed not because God rested on that day but because Israel had come out of Egyptian bo***ge. God said, "remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day" (Deut. 5:15).

Before God gave Israel the law at Sinai, there was no command to keep the Sabbath, there was no one charged with violating the Sabbath, and there was no punishment for Sabbath violation.

The law of Moses was to last throughout the generations of Israel and was to end at the cross of Christ. Moses said the law was to last throughout the generations of Israel being a perpetual covenant. "Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant" (Ex. 31:16-17). The incense was to be "a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations" (Ex. 30:8). Those who contend for the sabbath observance today (the Seventh Day Adventist, the Seventh Day Baptist, and the Seventh Day Church of God) do not argue for incense today, yet the Bible says both were to be "perpetual" (Ex. 30:8; 31:16).

In the time of Amos at 760 B.C. some said, "When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat" (Amos 8:5-6)? Through Amos God's answer was "it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day" (Amos 8:9). Matthew tells us at the crucifixion of Christ "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour" (Mt. 27:45). Thus, when Christ was crucified, the law of Moses ended.

Those who argue for the sabbath observance today try to make a distinction between the law of Moses and the law of God, a distinction that the Bible doesn't make. Neither does the Bible make a distinction between what is sometimes called the "moral law" and the "ceremonial law."

God gave the law of Moses: - "the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel" (Neh. 8:1). "Ezra...was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given" (Ezra 7:6).

Moses gave the law of God: - "to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God" (Neh. 10:29). "Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses" (2 Chron. 34:14).

Ezra was "a ready scribe in the law of Moses" (Ezra 7:6) and "a scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the God of heaven" (7:12).

In Luke 2:21-32 the expressions "law of Moses," 'law of the Lord," and "the law" are used interchangeably.

In Mark 7 the scribes and Pharisees were told by Jesus they laid aside the "commandment of God," they rejected "the commandment of God" when they rejected what "Moses said" (Mk. 7:6-10). Mark tells us (7:10) that Moses said "Honor thy father and thy mother" while Matthew tell us God said this (Mt. 15:4). Thus what Moses said in the law was the same as God saying it.

The New Testament Teaches The Law of Moses Was Nailed To The Cross.

Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Mt. 5:17-18). Observe Jesus was to fulfill the law, not destroy it. Until it was fulfilled nothing would pass from it. When it was fulfilled it would pass.

Paul raises the question "Wherefore then serveth the law" (Gal. 3:19)? His answer is, "It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come..." (v. 19). The law was till the seed should come. In the context of Galatians 3 "thy seed, which is Christ" (v. 16). The law was added till or until Christ came. In Galatians 3 Paul also shows that "the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ" (v. 24). Once under Christ or faith (verses 24-25), Paul says "we are no longer under a schoolmaster" which was the law of Moses.

Colossians 2:

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross" (Col. 2:14). This is the passage that seems to give the one covenant advocates a lot of trouble. They are not sure what it teaches; one says it teaches that "sin" was nailed to the cross and another says it teaches that the "sin debt" was nailed to the cross. Yet, they are sure that it does not teach that the law was nailed to the cross, which it does teach.

A parallel passage will help here. Speaking of Christ, Paul said, "For he is our peace, who had made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition, between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace" (Eph. 2:14-15).

Paul says what he calls "the middle wall of partition" which was "between us", that is, between Jew and Gentile has been 'broken down." He further says it was "abolished." He further tells us it was "the law of commandments" which was "in ordinances." It has been "broken down" and "abolished."

Paul in Colossians says 'blotting out the handwriting of ordinances." "It" was taken out of the way and "it" was nailed to his cross. "It," the handwriting of ordinances," "the middle wall of partition," "the law of commandments," the "ordinances" were nailed to the cross. This is so plain. This is the reason these one covenant advocates have got to get something besides the law of Moses nailed to the cross. This passage stands in their way. Brethren have well understood it down through the years.

If these one covenant fellows are correct, let us see how they do. A part of the covenant that they say we are under or that we are to keep is "remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Sabbath observance required: (1) limited travel, (Ex. 16:28-30; Num. 35:5), (2) building no fire, (Ex. 35:3), (3) doing no work, (Ex. 20:10), (4) No cooking, (Ex. 16:23), (5) purchasing no food (Neh. 10:31), (6) gates closed, (Neh. 13:19), (7) carry no burdens, (Neh. 13: 15-18), (8) a burnt offering of two lambs of the first year without spot, (Num. 28:9-10), (9) strangers among them were to keep it, (Dt. 5:14), and (10) violators were to be punished (Num. 15:32-36). Now, how many of these one covenant advocates have done this?

08/01/2025

Walk A Little Plainer, Daddy…

Walk a little plainer, Daddy,
Said a little boy so frail.
I'm following in your footsteps,
And I don't want to fail.
Sometimes your steps are very plain,
Sometimes they are hard to see,
So walk a little plainer, Daddy,
For you are leading me.

I know that once you walked this way
Many years ago,
And what you did along the way,
I'd really like to know.
For sometimes when I am tempted,
I don't know what to do.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy,
For I must follow you.

Someday when I'm grown up,
You are like I want to be.
Then I will have a little boy,
Who will want to follow me.
And I would want to lead him right,
And help him to be true.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy.
For we must follow you!

07/01/2025

A Roman Catholic raised this question:
"You say the Church of Christ is not a Protestant denomina­tion, but I know you protest the Catholic religion for I have read a lot of your writings, so what makes you different from the other churches. You look like one of many churches to me."

Answer:
Yes, we have said that that church of Christ is not a protestant denomination, and we have said that for very good reason. Christ established his church in the First Century A.D., beginning in the city of Jerusalem (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47). "The church ... is his body" (Ephesians 1:22-23), and "there is one body" (Ephesians 4:4), therefore, Christ built but one church.

After the passing of the apostles, there was an apostasy -- a falling away from the faith (Acts 20:29-30; I Timothy 4:1-4; II Timothy 4:1-4), which ultimately came to be known as the Catholic Church, with doctrines and practices not authorized by Christ and his apostles. In 606 A.D. Boniface III, Bishop of Rome, became the first "universal Bishop", later known as the Pope. In the Eleventh Century, the Catholic Church divided into two groups, Roman and Greek, with the Roman Catholic becoming the greater of the two.

Many were unhappy with the Catholic Church and began to lift up their voices against it, and the "sale of indulgence" (selling the right to sin without having to make confession to the priest) was just too much, and open protesting was strong. In 1517 Martin Luther, a Catholic priest, wrote his famous thesis pointing out 95 things he thought to be wrong with the church, and was excommunicated by the Pope and would have been put to death, as so many others had been. But he had friends in high places who helped him. Many shared the views of Luther and within a few years there were many who had joined with him, thus the first Protestant Church was born - the Lutheran Church. (Although Luther pleaded with them "call not yourselves Lutheran ... but Christians", none the less the name stuck. In the 1530s John Calvin left the Catholic Church, starting the Presbyterian Church and in the same decade King Henry the Eighth broke away, starting the Church of England. These were the first three Protestant Churches.

That was the Sixteenth Century! The church of Christ was established in the First Century A.D., 1500 years before there was a "Protestant Church", therefore I think I am justified in saying that the church of Christ is not a "Protestant Church". Yes, the church does protest against Catholicism, but it is not a Protestant Church. It is the body of Christ to which saved people are added by the Lord day by day (Acts 2:47).

"But What Makes You Different From Others?"
The church of Christ is different from the Protestant Denominations in several points:

We have no organization larger than the local church. This in itself sets us apart from most Protestant Churches, who have district, State, National, and international organizations. In the New Testament, there was no organization larger than the local church, with bishops deacons and saints in those local churches (Philippians 1:1).
We have no creed but Christ and his word -- the New Testament. There is no Manual, Discipline, Catechism, etc. as is found in Protestant Churches. The early disciples were taught not to add to or take from the inspired scriptures (Revelation 22:18,19), or teach any other gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). We still follow this charge and have no other creed.
The name that we wear makes us different. Look at the Protestant Churches and see what they call themselves. They wear names that give honor to the man who started them, or to some particular practice. By what name were the early disciples called? They were called Christians (Acts 11:26) and were not to be ashamed to suffer as a Christian (I Peter 4: 16). That is the name we use today. As a collectivity, the early disciples were called the "church" (a group of people), "church of God" (a group of people that belongs to God), "churches of Christ" (groups that belong to Christ). There was no "specific" name for the local churches. Today, we refer to the church in the same manner. But we do not wear some name that gives honor to men or to practices.
The worship we render to God is different. We eat the Lord's Supper "upon the first day of the week" (Acts 20:7), which necessarily infers a weekly observance. Most Protestant churches do not have the Lord's Supper each week. Our music in worship is a ca****la, just as it was in the New Testament (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19). Most Protestant Churches use instrumental music in worship.
We teach the plan of salvation just as the apostles taught it: believe in Christ as the Son of God, repent of sins, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 8:36,37; Mark 16:16). Most Protestant Churches teach that one is saved "by faith only", before and without being baptized.
The concept we have of the church makes us different, for we believe that the church consists of those who have been saved (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:22,23). The Protestant Churches teach that the church consists of all the Protestant Churches, that each is a part (denomination) of the body of Christ.
These are some of the things that make us different from Protestant Churches. The differences have to do with faith and practice. We plead for "speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent." The church of Christ of the New Testament was not a Protestant Denomination. You do have a choice. You can be just a Christian, a member of Christ's church.