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Who are the churches of Christ and what do they believe in?
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.
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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
a 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 bgcolor="#ffffff". 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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 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).
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!
"Who are the churches of Christ?" was written by Batsell
Barrett Baxter
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