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?
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
eaten?
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?
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 empathizes 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.
Back to the top of the
page
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 Pentecost, A.D. 30. The strength of the
appeal lies in the restoration of Christ's original church.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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 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.
Back to the top of the
page
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).
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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 - a capella 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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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.
Back to the top of the
page
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).
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. !
Back to the top of the page