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By: Batsell Barrett Baxter
 

                              Seek to duplicate the non-denominational church of the first century.
                              Take the bible as our supreme and only guide.

                              Reject doctrines and practices that were introduced after the close of the new testament.

                              Seek to be Christians only.

                              Believe this is the one and only way to unite all who are seeking to follow Christ.

 

    The apostle Peter once wrote, "Sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord, being ready always to give answer to

    every man that asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (I Peter 3:15.)

    Christians are admonished to be ready at all times to give a reason for the faith which they hold.

 


 

    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 speaks and

    to remain silent where the bible is silent in all matters that pertain to religion.  It further emphasizes 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.

 

    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 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 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.

 

    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 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.

 

    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).



    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.



    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). 

    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.



    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.

 


    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 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 of 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 teachings 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 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!