|
      
| |
 TEST
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?
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.
Back to the top of the page
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 - 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.
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 if 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).
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 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.
"Who are the churches of Christ?" was written by Batsell
Barrett Baxter
Back to the top of the page
|
| | | |
|
