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What is the distinctive
plea of the church of Christ ?
Historical background of the
Restoration movement
How many churches of Christ
are there ?
How are the churches
organizationally connected ?
How are the churches of
Christ governed ?
What does the church of
Christ believe about the Bible ?
Do members of the churches of
Christ believe in virgin birth ?
Does the church of
Christ believe in predestination ?
Why does the church of
Christ baptize only by immersion ?
Is infant baptism practiced ?
Do ministers of the
church hear confession ?
Are prayers addressed to the
saints ?
How often is the Lord's
supper or Communion observed ?
What kind of music is used in
the worship ?
Does the church of Christ
believe in heaven and hell ?
Does the church of Christ
believe in purgatory ?
By what means does the
church secure financial support ?
Does the church of Christ have
a creed ?
How does one become a
member of the church of Christ ?
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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 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.
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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 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.
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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 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 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 perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every
nation he that heareth 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 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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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 or Communion observed ?
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, or
taking Communion (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 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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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 of 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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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
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).
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. !
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.
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.
If you need to locate a church of Christ congregation nearest to you, please
click here to send
us an E-mail and we will be more than glad to help you find it. No one from the
church will call without your consent. Please come by and visit.
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Last Modified July 9, 2000
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