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Whoever follows, learns from and imitates Jesus Christ is a "disciple" of Christ, and disciples of Christ are also called "Christians" (Acts 11:26). Since every Christian continually comes short of God's glory, we all may be called "erring Christians" (Rom. 3:23). We all must confess that we now know only in part (1 Cor. 13:12). The Apostle Paul reminds us that "if any one supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know" (1 Cor. 8:2).

Certainly one may be a Christian and not belong to any denomination. There is at least one nondenominational congregation in most towns of America. I once helped lead such a nondenominational group which we called "Elm Street Church." When we posted our service times in the religion page of the local paper, we requested a heading that said "Undenominational." A dear Church of Christ friend asked me if we were accusing him of being a denomination. I suggested that he join us under the "Undenominational" listing, but he preferred to be listed under the heading "Churches of Christ."

Any time a group of Christians select a name which includes more than one congregation but not every Christian everywhere, they have "denominated" themselves and have become a "denomination." (Churches of Christ "denominate" themselves as an identifiable group of congregations although they have no formal denominational organization.) It is good to remember that we are not saved by the sign over the church-house door. We are saved by trusting God, who showed his undeserved kindness to sinners in the life, death and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ. "If anyone loves God, he is known by him" (1 Cor. 8:3).

For more on other Christian groups, click here.