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Who are the churches of Christ ?
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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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 Rever and 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 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.
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:
? 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 every one 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.