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" & decided to wear only the name Christian,
taking the 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 starting
a new church, but rather a return to Christ's church as described in the bible. Members of the church of Christ don't 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.

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 around 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. Many 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.

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 colleges and secondary schools, as well as orphanages and homes for the aged. There are magazines and
other periodicals published by individual members of the church. A nationwide radio and television program, known as "In
Search of the Lord's Way" is supported by Christians and churches of Christ across the country. There are no conventions,
annual meetings, or official publications. The "tie that binds" is a common loyalty to the principles of the New Testament.
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.

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.

Yes. The statement in Isaiah 7:14 is taken as a prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ. New testament passages such as
Matt. 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.

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 evidence that God did not predestine
individuals to be eternally saved or lost, but that each man determines his own destiny.

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.

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.

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.

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).

This memorial is celebrated every first day of the week "Sunday". A central part of the worship is the eating of the Lord's
supper (Acts 20:7).

As a result of the distinctive plea of the church, a return to new testament faith and practice, "a cappella" singing is the
only music used in the worship. This singing, unaccompanied by mechanical instruments of music, conforms to music used in
the apostolic church and for several centuries thereafter (Ephesians 5:19).

Yes. The statement of Christ in Matthew 25, and elsewhere, are taken at face value. It is believed that after death each
person must come before God in judgment & that they will be judged according to the deeds done while they lived.
(Hebrews 9:27).

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.

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.

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.

In the salvation of person's soul, there are 2 necessary parts, God's part and the person'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 of God, not of works, that no man
should glory". (Ephesians 2:8-9). The love which God felt for us, led him to send Christ into the world to redeem us. The life
and teachings of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross and the proclaiming of the gospel to all people constitute God's part in
salvation. Though God's part is the big part, our part is also necessary if we are to reach heaven. We must comply with the
conditions of pardon which the Lord has announced. Our part is clearly set forth in the following steps:
they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).
He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that seek after Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
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 & 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 21st 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! We invite you to honor us with a visit. Come and see for yourself, all are
welcome.