QUESTION:
When did the differences - such as "Liberal, Conservative, Mainstream, Non-Class, Institutional, and Ultra Conservative" begin in the Churches of Christ? (2) Which one of these is the New Testament Church? (3) Which of these is Christ the head? (4) Which one of these is the body of Christ (5) Which is the true and authentic Church?

ANSWER:
These designations are used by men, not by the scriptures. It began back in the ‘50’s and continues even today. Many of the things that separate churches today are matters of judgment or opinion about “how” the Lord’s work is to be done.

Since there is no end to the variations that can be imagined, rather than concentrate on what each and every title man might contrive indicates, let's keep it simple and just look at what does comprise a true congregation of the Church of our Lord.

• A New Testament congregation is one that uses the scriptures as its only guide. 1Peter_4:11  

• A New Testament congregation is one that subscribes to the principal of “speaking where the bible speaks”

• In matters of judgment, liberty. In matters of faith, unity, and in all things, love. Romans_14 teaches me that men may disagree on matters of judgment (and there are plenty) yet the worship of both men is acceptable. They must agree; however, on matters of faith ie conditions of salvation, the five items of worship, etc.

To be a genuine/true Church of Christ we are duty bound to bind no laws that Christ and the apostles did not bind. When I see a creed, discipline or manual used in addition to the scriptures, I know they have departed from the Lord and His gospel. Galatians_1:8

Bill Watkins