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Who are the Churches of Christ?
The answer to this is very simple. To illustrate this I will give you the
most prevalent comment or question by a person who first visits one of our
Sunday morning services. Upon regarding that we sing our songs
“Acappella”, they will predictably ask the question: “Why
don’t you have any music?”, that is to say without a choir, piano,
organ, or any other musical instrument. The answer to this question is the
answer to “Who we are”. There are scriptural reasons that you may
find in the accompanying article by Batsell Barrett Baxter, but the real
answer is that We are attempting to do things in the way of the First
Century Church. That same visitor we mentioned earlier will see that
we drink Grape Juice and eat Bread weekly, in the way of the First
Century Church, and we Baptize our new Christians by fully immersing
them in water, in the way of the First Century Church, We have
a plurality of elders and deacons as leaders of each individual church,
in the way of the First Century Church. Everything that we
do, we attempt to do in the way of the First Century Church. So that is who
we are. If you would be interested to know more about this church, read on
this page. Then return to our main page, and
find numerous links to Online E-zines and places you can go to study more,
or e-mail us here or
complete our Questions page. But please take the
time to worship with us and ask your questions to someone attending. If you
visit here you
will find a congregation near you.
by .. Batsell Barrett Baxter
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 empasizes 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.
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 beginings 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 new
church started near the begining of the 19th century. Rather, the whole movement
is designed to reproduce in contemporary times the church originally established
on Pentacost, A.D. 30. The strength of the appeal lies in the restoration
of Christ's original church.
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.
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 orphanges 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.
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.
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.
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.
Does the church of
Christ believe in predestination ?
Only in the sense tht 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 worketh 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.
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.
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.
Do ministers of the
church hear confession ?
No. Ministers or evangelists of the church have no special perogatives. They
do not wear the title of Reverand 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.
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).
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.
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 - acapella 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.
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 judgement
and that he will be judged according to the deeds done while he lived (Hebrews
9:27). After judgement is pronounced he will spend eternity either in heaven
or hell.
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.
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 of approximately $200,000,000 is given on
this basis each year.
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.
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:
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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 wellpleasing 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).
•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. |
