A Brief Introduction to the Churches of Christ
The church of Christ dates back to the days of the New Testament
(Romans 16:16). It was founded by Christ following His death and
resurrection and proclaimed by the apostles on the Day of Pentecost (Acts
2). In the years that followed, it rapidly grew to fill Jerusalem, then Judea,
Samaria, and finally the whole Roman Empire (Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:23).
Churches of Christ have been greatly blessed by God with significant
growth both in America and many places throughout the world.
The church of Christ is noted for its emphasis upon returning to New
Testament Christianity and for its desire to unite all Christians into one
body (1 Corinthians 1:10). We believe that the New Testament is the only
rule for faith and practice in religious matters (2 Timothy 3:17; I Peter
4:11) and that it must authorize all that is done in Christian worship
(Colossians 3:17; Revelation 22:18–19). Thus we try to strictly follow the
New Testament. For this reason, only a cappella music is used in worship
assemblies and the Lord’s Supper is observed every Sunday. We believe the
Bible teaches that sinners are saved by faith, repentance, confession, and
baptism (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10) and that a
Christian must remain faithful to the Lord after conversion (Revelation
2:10). The church of Christ is organized with elders, deacons, preachers,
and members as in New Testament times (Philippians 1:1).
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:30– 31), that the Bible is
inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16– 17), and that Jesus will return to take His
kingdom (church) home to God (1 Corinthians 15:24). We emphasize
sincere worship (John 4:24), every- member evangelism (Acts 8:4), godly
living (Titus 2:11–12), love for each other (John 13:33–34), and helping
those in need (James 1:27). We believe that it is possible to have religious
unity in a day of division by simply following the New Testament pattern
and putting aside human traditions.
To put it simply, we are seeking to be the same church one reads about in
the New Testament. We aim to restore its doctrine, its practice, its lifestyle,
and its zeal.
About God
We believe the most important relationship is our relationship with God
(John 17:3; Philippians 3:10). We believe in the one true God revealed in
the Bible. He spoke the world into existence and sustains all things today.
God remains active and involved in this world and in our individual lives
(Gen. 1:1; Heb. 1:10-12, 11:3).
We believe that God exists in three distinct personalities: God the Father,
God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; John 1:1, 14; John
16:12-15).
About Jesus
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. We believe He was born of a virgin,
lived a sinless life, shed His blood dying on a cross, was buried and raised
from the dead three days later. He ascended to the Father and now reigns
over his Kingdom. (Rom. 8:34; Phil. 2:5-11). Jesus is our High Priest
(Hebrews 2:17-18)
We believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven (Acts 4:12, John 14:6)
and is the only one qualified and able to redeem us and save us from our
sins (Heb. 9:11-15). We believe that one day Jesus will return to take his
own to live with him forever (Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16-17).
About Sin
We believe that our sin separates us from a Holy God (Isa. 59:2). To sin is
to violate God’s law and to rebel against Him. Sin is pervasive – it consists
not only in the bad things we do, but also in the good things that we fail to
do (James 4:17), It manifests itself, not only in word and deed, but also in
thought (Matt. 5:28). The Bible teaches that all of us have sinned (Rom.
3:23; I John 1:8-10).
About Salvation
We believe that God’s love and justice intersect at the cross. Since God is
just, He cannot simply ignore or disregard our sin. But because He is loving,
He wants to be in fellowship with us. God’s solution to our sin problem was
to send Jesus to serve the death penalty due us and to reconcile us to
Himself so that He might reign in our hearts and lives (2 Cor. 5:18-19; I
Thess. 5:9-10; I Pet. 3:18; Rom. 6:23). This is why the Gospel is Good
News!
God has acted on our behalf but we must choose to accept or decline his
gift of salvation. We accept the gift of salvation through faith (Hebrew
11:6). Faith is more than just intellectual assent (James 2:19); it is made
complete by our actions (James 2:22). A faith-response to Jesus includes
repentance (Acts 2:38), confession (Rom. 10:9) and baptism. Just as
Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead, we must also be
buried (immersed) with Christ in baptism and then be raised to live a new
life (Rom. 6:4). At the time of our baptism, our sins are taken away and we
are added to the Church (Acts 22:16, 2:47). We understand that
Christianity is a lifelong commitment. We continue to serve God faithfully
until death(Revelation 2:10).
About the Church
We believe that the church belongs to the Lord! It is His body and every
Christian is a member of that body. It is not defined racially, socially,
geographically or ethnically. The purpose of the church is to glorify God
(Eph. 3:10-11). God is glorified when we grow closer to Him (Eph. 4:11-16)
and when we reach out to those around us with the love of Christ (Luke
9:2).
About Christian Living
The Christian life seeks through the grace of God to live out the way of
Jesus every day. We are flawed, imperfect people, but God in his mercy is
transforming us more and more into His image. Together as a church, we
cling to the cross of Christ as we grow in sacrifice, service and
self-emptying love (Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 5:22-25; 2 Cor. 3:18).