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.
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.
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!
Home
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.
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 head-ship 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
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.
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 if 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:
OPEN INVITATION
Last update: 6 March 2003