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What is the distinctive plea of the
church of Christ?
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What does the church of Christ
believe about the Bible?
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How many churches of Christ are
there?
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Why does the church of Christ
baptize only by immersion?
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How are the churches
organizationally connected?
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How do churches of Christ educate,
train and conduct outreach?
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Is infant baptism practiced?
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Are prayers addressed to the
saints?
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How often is the Lord's Supper
eaten?
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What kind of music is used in the
worship?
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By what means does the church
secure financial support?
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How does one become a member of
the church of Christ?
In a divided religious world, we believe that the Bible is the
only possible common denominator upon which God-fearing people can unite. The
church’s appeal is 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. We
further emphasize that in everything there must be a "Thus saith the Lord"
criteria for all that is done. The objective is religious unity of all believers
in Christ. The basis is the New Testament. The method is the restoration of New
Testament Christianity.
The original authorship
of the sixty-six books which make up the Bible we believe to be divinely
inspired by God, by which we mean that they are infallible and authoritative.
The basic textbook of the church and the basis for all preaching is the Bible.
Within the scriptures lie the answers to every religious question. The
scriptures are the final word. “You diligently study] the
Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are
the Scriptures that testify about me.”
–John 5:39
The most recent estimate
(2007) lists more than 15,000 individual churches of Christ. The "Christian
Herald," a 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 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 World War II in
Europe, Asia and Africa. More than 450 full time workers are supported in
foreign countries.
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. 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.
Following the plan of
organization found in the New Testament, churches of Christ are autonomous. Our
common faith in the Bible and adherence to its teachings are the chief ties
which bind us together. There is no central headquarters or president, pope or
single head authority other than Jesus Christ himself. Local congregations
operate under the leadership of elders in each local congregation. Congregations
do cooperate voluntarily in supporting various ministry outreaches for example,
orphans, education and missionary work. Churches also fellowship together
in gospel meetings, lectureships and other occasions.
Members of the church of
Christ conduct forty colleges and secondary schools, as well as seventy-five
orphanages and homes for seniors. 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. Many
churches of Christ conduct local radio and television programs to spread the
gospel.
Infant baptism is not
practiced in the church of Christ. Only those who have reached the "age of
accountability" are accepted for baptisms. The examples given in the New
Testament are always of people 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 baptized.
God the Father is the only one
to whom our prayers may be addressed. The Bible, our one and only guide, further
explains that Christ stands as a mediator between God and man (Heb. 7:25). All
prayers are therefore offered through Christ, or in the name of Christ to God
(John 16:23-26).
Members of the church of
Christ assemble for worship on Sundays. A central part of the worship
experienceeis 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 service. This singing,
unaccompanied by mechanical instruments of music, conforms to the practices of
the apostolic church and for several centuries thereafter (Ephesians 5:19). The
churches of Christ are patterned after the New Testament Church which Jesus
established. There is no authority for engaging in acts of worship not found in
the New Testament. This principle eliminates the use of instrumental music and
choirs, along with the use of candles, incense, and other similar elements.
Each Sunday, the members of
the church give an offering to God as referenced in 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, fees, minimum requirements or other levies are made. Members look
to the manner in which the Bible outlines as a guide to how to give.
Membership into the church of
Christ means membership into the body of Christ and is by baptism only. No
one votes or asks you to apply for membership. In the salvation of man's
soul there are two 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. Man's part is outlined in the Bible in the
following steps:
Hear the Gospel.
“How, then, can they call on the one
they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have
not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
(Romans 10:14)
Believe.
"And without faith it is impossible to
please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that
he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
(Hebrews 11:6)
Repent of past sins.
“And without faith it is impossible to
please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that
he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
(Acts 17:30).
Confess Jesus as Lord.
"As they traveled along
the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. Why
shouldn't I be baptized?’ Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you
may.’ The eunuch answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ "
(Acts 8:36-37)
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be
baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’.”
(Acts 2:38).
Live a Christian life.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of
darkness into his wonderful light.”
(1 Peter 2:9)
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