CHURCHES OF CHRIST:

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

The church of Christ originated almost 2000 years ago on the day of Pentecost as recorded in the New Testament book of Acts chapter 2. The church of Christ today is trying to be nothing more or nothing less than the Lord's church that one reads about in the New Testament. The church of Christ is not a denomination – we are simply Christians, members of the one church Jesus established and for which he died. (Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18). We wear only the name Christian because that is the name the Lord's people wore as recorded in the Scripture (Acts 11:26). The name Church of Christ is not used as a denominational designation, but rather as a descriptive term indicating that the church belongs to Christ (Ephesians 5:23).

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT THE BIBLE.

We who are members of the church of Christ have no creed, manual, or church rules other than the Holy Scriptures, which we believe are inspired of God (II Timothy 3:15-17). The Bible alone is our guide. Thus, we speak only as the oracles, or words of God (I Peter 4:11).

WHAT IS OUR MESSAGE?

The church of Christ believes that teaching the Bible without modification is the only way to lead men and women to become Christians. This means teaching things concerning Jesus, His church, and what to do to be added to His church (Acts 8:12; Acts 2:47). The church of Christ believes nothing should be required of people as acts of obedience to God unless it is evident in the Scripture (Hebrews 5:9). In New Testament times, those who heard and believed the Gospel of Christ (John 6:45; John 8:24; Mark 16:16), repented of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30), confessed that Jesus Christ is the son of God (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:10), and were baptized (immersed) in water for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16), were added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2:37-47). The same is true today!

HOW ARE WE GOVERNED?

Churches of Christ are not governed like many religious organizations today. We have no governing boards, or national or international headquarters. Each congregation is independent and autonomous (self-ruled) of every other congregation. The only tie that binds the many congregations together is a common allegiance to Christ and the Bible. Each congregation is governed locally by a plurality of elders selected from among the members. These are men who meet the specific qualifications listed in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

HOW DO WE WORSHIP?

The church of Christ believes we must have Bible authority for all we do in worship to God (Colossians 3:17). Therefore, we must not include anything in worship that is not in His word.  There are five items of worship mentioned in the New Testament which the first century church observed. They are singing, praying, giving, preaching and eating the Lord's Supper. Since the practice of the church of Christ concerning two of those items is so different from that of most other religious groups, lets give special attention to these two. The first is singing. In the church of Christ we sing without the use of mechanical instruments of music. Congregational acappella singing is the only music used in our worship to God. The New Testament gives us no authority for using mechanical instruments of music. Since we speak only as the words of God (I Peter 4:11), and the New Testament leaves instrumental music out of the worship, we believe we should leave it out also. The second item is the Lord's Supper. The church of Christ is different from many in that we observe the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week. We do this because it follows a Biblical pattern (Acts 20:7).

We would love to study the Bible with YOU!