Who are the churches of Christ?
Who are these people?
You have probably heard of churches of Christ. And perhaps you've asked, "Who are these people" What - if anything - distinguishes them from the hundreds of other churches in the world?"
You may have wondered:
"What is their historical background?"
"How many members do they have?"
"What is their message?"
"How are they governed?"
"How do they worship?"
"What do they believe about the Bible?"
We want to answer these questions for you.
How many members?
Worldwide there are some 20,000 congregations of churches of Christ with a total of 2 1/2 to 3 million individual members. They are small congregations, consisting of just a few members - and large ones made up of several thousand members.
The greatest concentration of numerical strength is churches of Christ is in the southern United States where, for instance, there are about 40,000 members in some 135 congregations in Nashville, Tennessee. Or, in Dallas, Texas, where there are approximately 36,000 members in 69 congregations. In such states as Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky - and others - there is a church of Christ in practically every town, no matter how large or small.
While the number of congregations and members is not so numerous in other places, there are churches of Christ in every state in the United States and in 112 other countries.
People of the Restoration Spirit
Members of the churches of Christ are a people of restoration spirit -- wanting to restore in our time the original New Testament church.
In the latter part of the 18th century, men of different denominations, studying independently of each other, in various parts of the world, began to ask:
They were pleading with everyone to throw off denominationalism, to throw away human creeds, and to follow only the Bible.
They taught that nothing should be required of people as acts of faith except that which is evident in the scriptures.
They emphasized that going back to the Bible does not mean the establishment of another denomination, but rather a return to the original church.
Members of churches of Christ are enthusiastic about this approach. With the Bible as our only guide we seek to find what the original church was like and restore it exactly.
We do not see this as arrogance, but the very opposite. We are saying that we do not have the right to ask for men's allegiance to a human organization -- but only the right to call upon men to follow God's blueprint.
Not a Denomination
For this reason, we are not interested in man-made creeds, but simply in the New Testament pattern. We do not conceive of ourselves as being a denomination -- nor as Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish. -- but simply as members of the church which Jesus established and for which he died.
And that, incidentally, is why we wear His name. The term "church of Christ" is not used as a denominational designation, but rather as a descriptive term indicating that the church belongs to Christ.
We recognize our own personal shortcomings and weaknesses -- and this is all the more reason for wanting to carefully follow the all-sufficient and perfect plan God has for the church.
Weekly Observances of The Lord's Supper
Another place where you may have noticed a difference between churches of Christ and other religious groups is in the Lord's Supper. This memorial supper was inaugurated by Jesus on the night of his betrayal (Matthew 26:26-28). It is observed by Christians in memory of the Lord's death (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25). The emblems -- unleavened bread and fruit of the vine -- symbolize the body and blood of Jesus (1Corinthians 10:16).
Churches of Christ are different from many in that we observe the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week. Again, our reason centers in our determination to follow the teaching of the New Testament. It says, describing the practice of the first-century church, "And upon the first day of the week . . the disciples came together to break bread . . ." (Acts 20:7).
Some have objected that the text does not specify the first day of every week. This is true --just as the command to observe the Sabbath did not specify every Sabbath. The command was simply, "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). The Jews understood that to mean every Sabbath. It seems to us that by the same reasoning "the first day of the week" means the first day of every week.
Again, we know from such respected historians as Neander and Eusebius that Christians in those early centuries took the Lord's Supper every Sunday.
Terms of Membership
Perhaps you are wondering, "How does one become a member of the church of Christ?" What are the terms of membership?
Churches of Christ do not speak of membership in terms of some formula which must be followed for approved acceptance into the church. The New Testament gives certain steps which were taken by people in that day to become Christians. When a person became a Christian he automatically was a member of the church.
The same is true of churches of Christ today. There is no separate set of rules or ceremonies which one must follow to be inducted into the church. When one becomes a Christian he, at the same time, becomes a member of the church. No further steps are required to qualify for church membership.
On the first day of the church's existence those who repented and were baptized were saved (Acts 2:38). And from that day forward all those who were saved were added to the church (Acts 2:47). According to this verse (Acts 2:47) it was God who did the adding. Therefore, in seeking to follow this pattern, we neither vote people into the church nor force them through a required series of studies. We have no right to demand anything beyond their obedient submission to the Savior.
The conditions of pardon which are taught in the New Testament are:
Emphasis on Baptism
Churches of Christ have a reputation for placing much stress on the need for baptism. However, we do not emphasize baptism as a "church ordinance," but as a command of Christ. The New Testament teaches baptism as an act which is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16).
We do not practice infant baptism because New Testament baptism is only for sinners who turn to the Lord in belief and penitence. An infant has no sin to repent of, and cannot qualify as a believer.
The only form of baptism we practice in churches of Christ is immersion. The Greek word from which the word baptize comes means "to dip, to immerse, to submerge, to plunge." And the Scriptures always point to baptism as a burial (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3, 4; Colossians 2:12)
The church of Christ in York would like very much for you to consider the things herein. Our purpose for presenting this to you is to help you see what the Bible says about the church that Christ established. If you are not a Christian or if you have been dissatisfied with the practice of your worship we would be very happy to help you in any way we can.
Our purpose is to help you understand what God's word says and teaches about salvation and we urge you to study your Bible to see if these things are so.
You are not obligated in any way by asking us to help you. We have nothing to sell and seek no contributions, neither is your name placed on a mailing list.
Free correspondence courses are available. These are designed to help you read the Bible in a constructive way and to rightly divide God's word.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the Bible with you at any time convenient to you.
Who are these people?
You have probably heard of churches of Christ. And perhaps you've asked, "Who are these people" What - if anything - distinguishes them from the hundreds of other churches in the world?"
You may have wondered:
"What is their historical background?"
"How many members do they have?"
"What is their message?"
"How are they governed?"
"How do they worship?"
"What do they believe about the Bible?"
We want to answer these questions for you.
How many members?
Worldwide there are some 20,000 congregations of churches of Christ with a total of 2 1/2 to 3 million individual members. They are small congregations, consisting of just a few members - and large ones made up of several thousand members.
The greatest concentration of numerical strength is churches of Christ is in the southern United States where, for instance, there are about 40,000 members in some 135 congregations in Nashville, Tennessee. Or, in Dallas, Texas, where there are approximately 36,000 members in 69 congregations. In such states as Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky - and others - there is a church of Christ in practically every town, no matter how large or small.
While the number of congregations and members is not so numerous in other places, there are churches of Christ in every state in the United States and in 112 other countries.
People of the Restoration Spirit
Members of the churches of Christ are a people of restoration spirit -- wanting to restore in our time the original New Testament church.
In the latter part of the 18th century, men of different denominations, studying independently of each other, in various parts of the world, began to ask:
- Why not go back beyond denominationalism to the simplicity and purity of the first-century church?
- Why not take the Bible alone and once again continue "steadfastly in the apostles' teaching..." (Acts 2:42)?
- Why not plant the same seed (the Word of God, Luke 8:11), that first century Christians planted, and be Christians only, as they were?
They were pleading with everyone to throw off denominationalism, to throw away human creeds, and to follow only the Bible.
They taught that nothing should be required of people as acts of faith except that which is evident in the scriptures.
They emphasized that going back to the Bible does not mean the establishment of another denomination, but rather a return to the original church.
Members of churches of Christ are enthusiastic about this approach. With the Bible as our only guide we seek to find what the original church was like and restore it exactly.
We do not see this as arrogance, but the very opposite. We are saying that we do not have the right to ask for men's allegiance to a human organization -- but only the right to call upon men to follow God's blueprint.
Not a Denomination
For this reason, we are not interested in man-made creeds, but simply in the New Testament pattern. We do not conceive of ourselves as being a denomination -- nor as Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish. -- but simply as members of the church which Jesus established and for which he died.
And that, incidentally, is why we wear His name. The term "church of Christ" is not used as a denominational designation, but rather as a descriptive term indicating that the church belongs to Christ.
We recognize our own personal shortcomings and weaknesses -- and this is all the more reason for wanting to carefully follow the all-sufficient and perfect plan God has for the church.
Weekly Observances of The Lord's Supper
Another place where you may have noticed a difference between churches of Christ and other religious groups is in the Lord's Supper. This memorial supper was inaugurated by Jesus on the night of his betrayal (Matthew 26:26-28). It is observed by Christians in memory of the Lord's death (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25). The emblems -- unleavened bread and fruit of the vine -- symbolize the body and blood of Jesus (1Corinthians 10:16).
Churches of Christ are different from many in that we observe the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week. Again, our reason centers in our determination to follow the teaching of the New Testament. It says, describing the practice of the first-century church, "And upon the first day of the week . . the disciples came together to break bread . . ." (Acts 20:7).
Some have objected that the text does not specify the first day of every week. This is true --just as the command to observe the Sabbath did not specify every Sabbath. The command was simply, "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). The Jews understood that to mean every Sabbath. It seems to us that by the same reasoning "the first day of the week" means the first day of every week.
Again, we know from such respected historians as Neander and Eusebius that Christians in those early centuries took the Lord's Supper every Sunday.
Terms of Membership
Perhaps you are wondering, "How does one become a member of the church of Christ?" What are the terms of membership?
Churches of Christ do not speak of membership in terms of some formula which must be followed for approved acceptance into the church. The New Testament gives certain steps which were taken by people in that day to become Christians. When a person became a Christian he automatically was a member of the church.
The same is true of churches of Christ today. There is no separate set of rules or ceremonies which one must follow to be inducted into the church. When one becomes a Christian he, at the same time, becomes a member of the church. No further steps are required to qualify for church membership.
On the first day of the church's existence those who repented and were baptized were saved (Acts 2:38). And from that day forward all those who were saved were added to the church (Acts 2:47). According to this verse (Acts 2:47) it was God who did the adding. Therefore, in seeking to follow this pattern, we neither vote people into the church nor force them through a required series of studies. We have no right to demand anything beyond their obedient submission to the Savior.
The conditions of pardon which are taught in the New Testament are:
- One must hear the gospel, for "faith comes by hearing the word of God" (Romans 10:17)
- One must believe, for "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6)
- One must repent of past sins, for God "commands all men, everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30)
- One must confess Jesus as Lord, for He said, "He that confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32)
- And one must be baptized for the remission of sins, for Peter said, "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins . . ." (Acts 2:38)
Emphasis on Baptism
Churches of Christ have a reputation for placing much stress on the need for baptism. However, we do not emphasize baptism as a "church ordinance," but as a command of Christ. The New Testament teaches baptism as an act which is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16).
We do not practice infant baptism because New Testament baptism is only for sinners who turn to the Lord in belief and penitence. An infant has no sin to repent of, and cannot qualify as a believer.
The only form of baptism we practice in churches of Christ is immersion. The Greek word from which the word baptize comes means "to dip, to immerse, to submerge, to plunge." And the Scriptures always point to baptism as a burial (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3, 4; Colossians 2:12)
The church of Christ in York would like very much for you to consider the things herein. Our purpose for presenting this to you is to help you see what the Bible says about the church that Christ established. If you are not a Christian or if you have been dissatisfied with the practice of your worship we would be very happy to help you in any way we can.
Our purpose is to help you understand what God's word says and teaches about salvation and we urge you to study your Bible to see if these things are so.
You are not obligated in any way by asking us to help you. We have nothing to sell and seek no contributions, neither is your name placed on a mailing list.
Free correspondence courses are available. These are designed to help you read the Bible in a constructive way and to rightly divide God's word.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the Bible with you at any time convenient to you.