What makes the church of Christ different?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 speaks 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 says 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.
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What is the Restoration MovementOne 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.
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How many churches of Christ are there?The most recent
dependable estimate lists more than 16,700 individual congregations of the churches of Christ.
There is a total membership of the churches
of Christ is now over 1,239,654. There are over 5,000 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 90 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. It is
difficult to determine the exact numbers because the congregations are
independent and self governing.
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How are the churches organized?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.
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.
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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.
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What do we 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.
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Does the Bible teach about Christ and the virgin
birth?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.
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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 fears him and works 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.
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Why does the church of Christ teach about baptism?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.
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Should infants baptized?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.
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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.
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To whom are we to pray?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 mediator 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).
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How often should we take Communion?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.
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What kind of music should be 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.
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What does the church of Christ teach about heaven and hell?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.
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What does the Bible teach about 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.
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How is the church to be financed?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.
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What is the church of Christ creed?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.
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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 commands 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 you may.
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).
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 carl@cvillecofc.org, 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.
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