Who are the churches of Christ and what do they believe
in? By: Batsell Barrett Baxter Webmaster Note: This is a Copy write article,
see at bottom. TOP
What is the distinctive plea of the church of
Christ? It is primarily a plea for religious unity based
upon the Bible. In a divided religious world it is believed that the Bible
is the only possible common denominator upon which most, if not all, of
the God-fearing people of the land can unite. This is an appeal to go back
to the Bible. It is a plea to speak where the Bible speak and to remain
silent where the Bible is silent in all matters that pertain to religion.
It further emphasizes that in everything religious there must be a "Thus
saith the Lord" for all that is done. The objective is religious unity of
all believers in Christ. The basis is the New Testament. The method is the
restoration of New Testament Christianity.
Back to the
beginning
The Historical background of the Restoration
Movement One of the earliest advocates of the return to New
Testament Christianity, as a means of achieving unity of all believers in
Christ, was James O'Kelly of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1793 he
withdrew from the Baltimore conference of his church and called upon
others to join him in taking the Bible as the only creed. His influence
was largely felt in Virginia and North Carolina where history records that
some seven thousand communicants followed his leadership toward a return
to primitive New Testament Christianity. In 1802 a similar movement
among the Baptists in New England was led by Abner Jones and Elias Smith.
They were concerned about "denominational names and creeds" and decided to
wear only the name Christian, taking Bible as their only guide. In 1804,
in the western frontier state of Kentucky, Barton W. Stone and several
other Presbyterian preachers took similar action declaring that they would
take the Bible as the "only sure guide to heaven." Thomas Campbell, and
his illustrious son, Alexander Campbell, took similar steps in the year
1809 in what is now the state of West Virginia. They contended that
nothing should be bound upon Christians as a matter of doctrine which is
not as old as the New Testament. Although these four movements were
completely independent in their beginnings eventually they became one
strong restoration movement because of their common purpose and plea.
These men did not advocate the starting of a new church, but rather a
return to Christ's church as described in the Bible. Members of the
church of Christ do not conceive of themselves as a new church started
near the beginning of the 19th century. Rather, the whole movement is
designed to reproduce in contemporary times the church originally
established on Pentecost, A.D. 30. The strength of the appeal lies in the
restoration of Christ's original church. Back to the
beginning
How many churches of Christ are there? The
most recent dependable estimate lists more than 15,000 individual churches
of Christ. The "Christian Herald," a general religious publication which
presents statistics concerning all the churches, estimates that the total
membership of the churches of Christ is now 2,000,000. There are more than
7000 men who preach publicly. Membership of the church is heaviest in the
southern states of the United States, particularly Tennessee and Texas,
though congregations exist in each of the fifty states and in more than
eighty foreign countries. Missionary expansion has been most extensive
since the second World War in Europe, Asia and Africa. More than 450 full
time workers are supported in foreign countries. The churches of Christ
now have five times as many members as were reported in the U.S. Religious
Census of 1936. Back to the
beginning
How are the churches organizationally connected? Following the plan of organization found in the New Testament,
churches of Christ are autonomous. Their common faith in the Bible and
adherence to its teachings are the chief ties which bind them together.
There is no central headquarters of the church, and no organization
superior to the elders of each local congregation. Congregations do
cooperate voluntarily in supporting the orphans and the aged, in preaching
the gospel in new fields, and in other similar works. Members of the
church of Christ conduct forty colleges and secondary schools, as well as
seventy-five orphanages and homes for the aged. There are approximately 40
magazines and other periodicals published by individual members of the
church. A nationwide radio and television program, known as "The Herald of
Truth" is sponsored by the Highland Avenue church in Abilene, Texas. Much
of its annual budget of $1,200,000 is contributed on a free-will basis by
other churches of Christ. The radio program is currently heard on more
than 800 radio stations, while the television program is now appearing on
more than 150 stations. Another extensive radio effort known as "World
Radio" owns a network of 28 stations in Brazil alone, and is operating
effectively in the United States and a number of other foreign countries,
and is being produced in 14 languages. An extensive advertising program in
leading national magazines began in November 1955. There are no
conventions, annual meetings, or official publications. The "tie that
binds" is a common loyalty to the principles of the restoration of New
Testament Christianity. Back to the
beginning
How
are the churches of Christ governed? In each congregation,
which has existed long enough to become fully organized, there is a
plurality of elders or presbyters who serve as the governing body. These
men are selected by the local congregations on the basis of qualifications
set down in the scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-8). Serving under the elders are
deacons, teachers, and evangelists or ministers. The latter do not have
the authority equal to or superior to the elders. The elders are shepherds
or overseers who serve under the headship of Christ according to the New
Testament, which is a kind of constitution. There is no earthly authority
superior to the elders of the local church. Back to the
beginning
What does the church of Christ believe about the
Bible? The original autographs of the sixty six books which
make up the Bible are considered to have been divinely inspired, by which
it is meant that they are infallible and authoritative. Reference to the
scriptures is made in settling every religious question. A pronouncement
from the scripture is considered the final word. The basic textbook of the
church and the basis for all preaching is the Bible. Back to the
beginning
Do members of the churches of Christ believe in the virgin
birth? Yes. The statement in Isaiah 7:14 is taken as a
prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ. New Testament passages such as
Matthew 1:20, 25, are accepted at face value as declarations of the virgin
birth. Christ is accepted as the only begotten Son of God, uniting in his
person perfect divinity and perfect manhood. Back to the
beginning Does the church of Christ believe in
predestination? Only in the sense that God predestines the
righteous to be eternally saved and the unrighteous to be eternally lost.
The statement of the apostle Peter, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no
respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth him and worked
righteousness is acceptable unto him" (Acts 10:34-35.) is taken as an
evidence that God did not predestine individuals to be eternally saved or
lost, but that each man determines his own destiny. Back to the
beginning \ Why does the church of Christ baptize only by
immersion? The word baptize comes from the Greek word
"baptizo" and literally means, "to dip, to immerse, to plunge." In
addition to the literal meaning of the word, immersion is practiced
because it was the practice of the church in apostolic times. Still
further, only immersion conforms to the description of baptisms as given
by the apostle Paul in Romans 6:3-5 where he speaks of it as a burial and
resurrection. Back to the
beginning
Is
infant baptism practiced? No. Only those who have reached
the "age of accountability" are accepted for baptisms. It is pointed out
that the examples given in the New Testament are always of those who have
heard the gospel preached and have believed it. Faith must always precede
baptism, so only those old enough to understand and believe the gospel are
considered fit subjects for baptism. Back to the
beginning Do
ministers of the church hear confession? No. Ministers or
evangelists of the church have no special prerogatives. They do not wear
the title of Reverend or Father, but are addressed simply by the term
Brother as are all other men of the church. Along with elders and others
they do counsel and advise those seeking help. Back to the
beginning
Are
prayers addressed to the saints? No. God the Father is
considered the only one to whom the prayers may be addressed. It is
further understood that Christ stands in a mediatorial position between
God and man (Hebrews 7:25). All prayers are therefore offered through
Christ, or in the name of Christ (John 16:23-26). Back to the
beginning
How
often is the Lord's supper eaten? It is expected that every
member of the church will assemble for worship on each Lord's day. A
central part of the worship is the eating of the Lord's supper (Acts
20:7). Unless providentially hindered, each member considers this weekly
appointment as binding. In many instances, as in the case of illness, the
Lord's supper is carried to those who are hindered from attending the
worship. Back to the
beginning
What kind of music is used in the worship? As
a result of the distinctive plea of the church - a return to New Testament
Faith and practice - acappella singing is the only music used in the
worship. This singing, unaccompanied by mechanical instruments of music,
conforms to the music used in the apostolic church and for several
centuries thereafter (Ephesians 5:19). It is felt that there is no
authority for engaging in acts of worship not found in the New Testament.
This principle eliminates the use of instrumental music, along with the
use of candles, incense, and other similar elements. Back to the
beginning
Does the church of Christ believe in heaven and
hell? Yes. The statement of Christ in Matthew 25, and
elsewhere, are taken at face value. It is believed that after death each
man must come before God in judgment and that he will be judged according
to the deeds done while he lived (Hebrews 9:27). After judgment is
pronounced he will spend eternity either in heaven or hell. Back to the
beginning
Does the church of Christ believe in purgatory? No. The absence of any reference in the scriptures to the temporary
place of punishment from which the soul will eventually be released into
heaven prevents the acceptance of the doctrine of purgatory. Back to the
beginning
By what means does the church secure financial
support? Each first day of the week the members of the
church "lay by in store as they have been prospered" (1 Corinthians 16:2).
The amount of any individual gift is generally known only to the one who
gave it and to the Lord. This free-will offering is the only call which
the church makes. NO assessments or other levies are made. No money-making
activities, such as bazaars or suppers, are engaged in. A total if
approximately $200,000,000 is given on this basis each year. Back to the
beginning
Does the church of Christ have a creed? No.
At least, there is no creed in the usual sense of the word. The belief of
the church is stated fully and completely in the Bible. There is no other
manual or discipline to which the members of the church of Christ give
their allegiance. The Bible is considered as the only infallible guide to
heaven. Back to the
beginning
How does one become a member of the church of
Christ? In the salvation of man's soul there are 2
necessary parts: God's part and man's part. God's part is the big part,
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift if God; not of works, that no man should glory"
(Ephesians 2:8-9). The love which God felt for man led him to send Christ
into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of Jesus, the
sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of the gospel to men
constitute God's part in salvation. Though God's part is the big part,
man's part is also necessary if man is to reach heaven. Man must comply
with the conditions of pardon which the Lord has announced. Man's part can
clearly set forth in the following steps:
Hear the Gospel. "How shall they call on him whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe him whom they have not heard? and
how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).
Believe. "And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing
unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he
is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Repent of past sins. "The times of ignorance therefore God
overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere
repent" (Acts 17:30).
Confess Jesus as Lord. "Behold here is water; What doth hinder me to
be baptized ? And Philip said, if thou believeth with all thy heart thou
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God" (Acts 8:36-37).
Be baptized for the remission of sins. "And Peter said unto them,
Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ
unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
Live a Christian life. "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth
the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Back to the
beginning
OPEN INVITATION Now
that you are aware of a church in the 20th century which is built
according to the blue prints of Christ's original church, why not become
a member of it? In becoming a member of it, you will be called upon to
do nothing which you cannot read in the New Testament. You will then
live and worship just as the apostle-guided Christians of the first
century did. Not only is this return to New Testament Christianity a
wonderful basis upon which all believers in Christ can unite, it is
absolutely solid ground. If we do just what our Lord commanded we know
that our salvation is certain. Come with us as we go back to the Bible,
back to Christ and his church! If you need help in locating a
congregation of the churches of Christ nearest to you, please e-mail us
at and we will be more than happy to help you find one. No one from the
church will call without your consent. Please come by and visit us soon.
We care about you and your family. Back to the
beginning
These articles were published in
the weekly bulletin of the Toms River Church of Christ.
Permission is granted to publish these items as long as proper
credit is given and that a request by email is granted. IF
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