Churches of Christ
- The Churches of Christ discussed in this article are not part of the United Church of Christ; the Disciples of Christ; the International Churches of Christ; the Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science); the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or any other denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement; the Churches of Christ in Australia; the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in the United Kingdom; the Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand; or the Philippines-based Iglesia ni Cristo.
| Churches of Christ | |
| Classification | |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Restorationism |
| Polity | Congregationalist |
| Origin | |
| Branched from | Protestantism |
| Separations | The churches of Christ (non-institutional) , Disciples of Christ |
| Statistics | |
| Congregations | 40,000 |
| Members | 5,062,074 |
Churches of Christ are non-denominational, autonomous Christian congregations, and are historically linked in America to the
Members point out that throughout church history many have sought a return to the simple, original Christianity that is "pre-denominational" and unbound by the decisions of councils or denominational hierarchies. Rather than basing doctrine on the interpretations of post-first century church fathers, ecclesiastical councils, or more modern denominational synods or conventions, they use only the Bible as their official source of doctrine. These views are based on the conviction that the church is a spiritual body of faith, rather than a secular or political body. Furthermore, it is taught that God demonstrates in the New Testament how a person may become a Christian, thus a part of the church, and how Christians may collectively organize and carry out the purposes of the church which Christ established.
Today, Churches of Christ usually have these distinctive traits: the refusal to hold to any creeds other than the Bible itself (i.e., 2 Tim 3:16-17, sometimes known as sola scriptura); the practice of repentance and water baptism by immersion in Christ's name as the response to receive forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit (e.g., Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16); autonomous, non-denominational congregational church organization with oversight by a plurality (Titus 1:5) of male elders (Titus 1:6); the weekly observance (Acts 20:7) of communion/eucharist (i.e., the Lord's Supper); and the practice by most congregations of a cappella worship singing (although several other related congregations use instruments while usually having these other traits, also known as Christian Churches).
Church Population
These churches comprise about 5,062,074 members in over 40,000 individual congregations worldwide. [1] Approximately 13,000 congregations exist in the United States comprising about 1.3 million members (Churches of Christ in the United States, [Nashville: 21st Century Christian, 2006]).[2]
Self-identification
Churches of Christ consider themselves "Christians only" and do not identify as Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant. They believe that biblically and historically the church was founded by Jesus Christ and his teachings and desire for the church are found in the scriptures of the New Testament. Therefore, the church and its doctrines and practices transcend these other entities, traditions, movements, structures, councils, etc. that developed later within Christendom. Members do not typically consider themselves to be members of a denomination, but prefer to simply be known as "Christians" (in contrast to, for example, a Catholic Christian, a Presbyterian Christian, a Baptist Christian, etc.), with no other religious title needed or preferred. Thus, a collective group of Christians is a church of Christ (e.g., Romans 16:16).
History in America
Restoration Movement
The American Restoration Movement of the 18th and 19th centuries was an emergence of seekers who perpetuated ideals that have existed throughout church history regarding inspired truth over ecclesiastic tradition or dogma. The Restoration Movement promoted a return to the purposes of the first century churches as described in the New Testament and is considered by some historians to be part of the Second Great Awakening. One major impetus of the movement was the Kentucky Cane Ridge Revival in 1801, which resulted in many from various traditions no longer holding to their denominational ties and referring to themselves simply as "Christians" or "Disciples." Several Churches of Christ were established as a result of this revival, with some denominational congregations even dropping their traditional titles in favor of "Church of Christ," "Disciples of Christ," or "Christian Church." While ever emphasizing that the Bible is the only source to seek doctrine, an acceptance of Christians with diverse opinions was the norm in the quest for truth. "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love" was an oft-quoted slogan of the period.[1]
The
see also
Historical Connection to Christian Churches and Disciples of Christ
Modern Churches of Christ and Christian Churches are very similar (the primary difference being a cappella worship in Churches of Christ) and, depending on the ideals and personality of each local congregation, maintain communication and fellowship.
In contrast, the organization known today as Disciples of Christ is very different, having developed into a denominational entity which no longer embraces Restoration Movement ideology (although its evolution has obvious historical roots in the Restoration Movement).
During the first century of the Restoration Movement, all three of these titles were commonly used for congregations. As interpretations, convictions, and preferences regarding a cappella and instrumental music distinguished congregations, the a cappella churches typically used "Church of Christ" to identify themselves while instrumental churches used "Disciples of Christ" or "Christian Church" as designations. In 1906, the U.S. Census for the first time made a distinction of two groups between the a cappella and instrumental churches (this was also the result of other issues related to the Civil War).
The development of the Disciples of Christ denomination was the later result of some within the instrumental church embracing liberal Protestant ideologies that many others would not accept. Thus, those who refused to accept such separated and typically refer to themselves as Christian Churches, leaving the Disciples of Christ designation to those who eventually organized into that named denomination which exists today. While "Disciples of Christ" is often used as a designation in history books for all churches within the Restoration Movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries, modern Churches of Christ and Christian Churches more accurately reflect the Restoration Movement ideals of that era.
- See also:
Restoration Movement#Churches of Christ/Disciples of Christ split
Variations within Churches of Christ
Since Churches of Christ are not denominational and purposefully do not maintain an ecclesiastical hierarchy or doctrinal council (as the Bible alone is held as the only source to find doctrine), it is not unusual to find variations from congregation to congregation. For example, some allow for more open interpretations regarding worship and other church practices, while others hold to more strict interpretations. The level of fellowship and cooperation that will exist between those of varying opinions will depend on each member and local congregation. Congregations and members are free to study the Scriptures and to the best of their abilities determine God's revealed will. Yet, most Churches of Christ have the similarities mentioned in the prior introduction.
Church of Christ Emergent
Church of Christ Emergent is not a formally distinct body, but is a recognition in some congregations of postmodern thought and culture with an emphasis on reaching those in today's culture of that persuasion.
Church organization
Congregational autonomy
Church government is congregational rather than denominational. Churches of Christ purposefully have no formally recognized headquarters, councils, or hierarchal church government. Rather, the independent congregations are a network with each congregation participating at its own discretion in various means of service and fellowship with other congregations, and with other Christian bodies as well.
Congregational leadership
Congregations generally aspire to be individually overseen by a plurality of Elders (also known as shepherds, pastors, overseers, or bishops) who are sometimes assisted in the administration of various works by deacons. Elders and deacons are appointed in congregations based on the qualifications found in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
While Churches of Christ promote the biblical concept of the priesthood of all believers, congregations generally have [3] professionally educated and trained clergy and staff as in most other Christian traditions. Churches of Christ also emphasize that each member is a minister, that no believer is more important than another, and that all should use the gifts he or she has to serve others.
Hermeneutics
Churches of Christ practice the principle of the Bible being the only source to find doctrine (also known as "sola scriptura"). Interpretive approaches to scripture may vary somewhat from congregation to congregation as Churches of Christ are not bound to a creed, catechism or denominational council. Regarding biblical historicity and literalism, Churches of Christ are quite conservative and generally see the Bible as historically accurate and literal, unless scriptural context obviously indicates otherwise. Regarding church practices, worship, and doctrine, there is great liberty from congregation to congregation in interpreting what is biblically permissible, as congregations are not controlled by a denominational hierarchy.
Some believe God only binds people to the explicit commands of New Testament scripture, meaning that anything commanded must be obeyed in its proper and obvious context but that anything not expressly forbidden is allowable and open to interpretation and preference. Others have a more stringent view of Scripture, believing that only what is expressly commanded, given as an approved example, or indicated as permissable by inference is allowable as a practice in the church. The latter view means that if something is not specifically mentioned and approved of in the New Testament, then the church should not take the liberty of doing it. There is much variety that exists from congregation to congregation between these two ideologies. This approach, which is related to the non-denominational/autonomous nature of the church, allows open interpretation for the uninhibited search and discovery of the original meanings of biblical texts. However, Churches of Christ tend to be uncannily similar in their biblical interpretations regarding salvation and morality. The liturgy or form of worship is also quite similar in most congregations, although the style sometimes varies in different locales.
Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology)
Churches of Christ profess the doctrine common to most Protestant evangelical groups—that humans (of accountable age) are lost in sin (Romans 3:23) but can be redeemed because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice (Romans 6:23). The difference between Churches of Christ and most other evangelical churches is how one receives this salvation. Churches of Christ hold to the biblical teaching that salvation occurs when one obeys God's command of being baptized in Christ's name, recognizing passages such as Mark 16:16, John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, and I Peter 3:21. This stands in contrast to others who place salvation at the moment of "acceptance of Christ," quoting a "sinner's prayer," or "asking Jesus into one's heart." Baptism in Churches of Christ is performed only by bodily immersion as the New Testament Greek term baptizo always means "to immerse." Only those mentally capable of belief and repentance are baptized (i.e., infant baptism is not practiced).
Other Theological Tendencies
Some would label Churches of Christ as typically Arminian, although members do not generally embrace this label nor hold to certain tenets of Arminian belief. The concepts of Original Sin, total depravity, predestination, etc. are rejected as doctrinal innovations that are not based on scripture. Election and predestination are regarded as functions of the exercise of free will (i.e., God has chosen and wishes for all to be saved but only those who choose to believe and submit to Him will be). Those who choose God's way through Christ are elect and therefore saved while those who reject Christ are lost in sin. The doctrine of "once saved always saved" is also rejected. Generally understood in Churches of Christ is that a Christian can consciously decide to cease following Christ and thus lose salvation, or "fall from grace" (2 Peter 2:20-22).
Regarding eschatology, Churches of Christ are generally amillennial and take a preterist view of Apocalyptic texts. A few congregations favor premillennial interpretations.
Basis of a cappella worship practice
There is no evidence that first century churches used instruments in worship. Furthermore, all New Testament scripture references to worshiping God in song never mention instruments. Only the voice, heart, and spirit are mentioned in commands to worship by singing. Therefore, Churches of Christ have historically continued the practice of a cappella music in worship. Also often pointed out is that throughout church history, instrumental music in worship was not practiced until the sixth century, hence the Latin/Italian word "a cappella" (as the chapel/church). The level of conviction regarding a cappella only worship varies from church to church. To some this is a preference, a good interpretation, or an embraced tradition but is not binding on others because there is no command in Scripture that forbids instruments in worship. To others, to use instruments in worship would equate with adding to the Bible since instruments are not mentioned, making the a cappella practice a strong matter of doctrine or dogma.
Churches of Christ outside the United States
The Churches of Christ in Australia carry the name of the group at
the movement's founding, the Australian Stone-Campbell group. A similar
Churches of Christ in Europe arose separately from the American Restoration Movement and during the 1840s onwards various movements came into fellowship. The Restoration Movement in the United Kingdom started before the Campbell/Stone movement in the USA. In England Churches of Christ flourished in the 1600s and before; eventually many became Baptist.[2]
Most of the Association of Churches of Christ in the UK became part of the
The Australian and New Zealand groups planted churches throughout the Pacific Islands, (although the American groups are credited with establishing churches in American Samoa, two major island groups within the Kingdom of Tonga and Fiti Levu, the main island within the Fijian Islands), the United Kingdom group planted churches throughout the British Empire, and the American groups planted churches throughout the Americas and the rest of the world. These groups often used the name "Church of Christ" and were affiliated with the other churches of that name. While a few such churches still exist, many have merged with other groups.
Significant numbers of Churches of Christ exist in India and sub-Saharan Africa due to the work of American missionaries and international Bible correspondence courses. Significant pockets of Churches of Christ can be found in Latin America, especially in the states of Nuevo Leon and Coahuhila in Mexico.
See also
- Restorationism
- Category:Churches of Christ
- Category:Ministers of the Churches of Christ
- Category:Universities and colleges affiliated with the Church of Christ
- List of famous people with Restoration Movement ties
References
Brownlow, L. (1973). Why I Am a Member of the Church of Christ. Brownlow Publishing Company, Inc.
Traces of the Kingdom - http://Traces-of-the-Kingdom.org.uk
Notes
- ^ Church numbers listed by country. ChurchZip. Retrieved on 2007-09-11. This is a live country-by-country tabulation, based on the enumeration of specific individual church locations and leaders. While it is known to under-represent certain developing countries, it is the largest such enumeration, and improves significantly on earlier broad-based estimates having no supporting detail.
- ^ Who are we?. The Christian Chronicle. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.
- ^ Roberts, Price (1979), Studies for New Converts, Cincinnati, OH: The Standard Publishing Company, p. 53-56
External links
General websites
- Churches of Christ Online
- churchofChrist.info
- Church of Christ Network
- Church of Christ Internet Ministries
- The Old Paths Archive - Written & multimedia material by members of churches of Christ.
- Truth for the World
- Lads to Leaders- Training program for youth.
- The Gospel Minutes- Weekly periodical, republished with permission on the web by the West Freeway church of Christ
Online print media
- Apologetics Press - Publishes materials defending a literal interpretation of creation in the Bible.
- The Christian Chronicle - A newspaper of the Churches of Christ.
- Christian Courier - Investigating biblical apologetics, religious doctrine, and ethical issues.
- Focus Press - Publisher of Think magazine. Discusses modern day issues.
- House to House/Heart to Heart - An online/printed magazine used to teach both Christians and non-Christians.
- The Preacher's Files - Online articles, sermon outlines, and discussion forum.
- Restoration Quarterly - Magazine devoted to study of the Restoration Movement and Churches of Christ.
- Seek the Old Paths - An online/printed magazine used to defend the Truth and teach others.
- Truth Magazine - A monthly publication from what would be regarded as a "conservative" or "non-institutional" viewpoint.
- The Light - A publication representing the "one cup" brotherhood. [3]
Online TV/Radio stations
- WSOJ - Gospel Radio
- Gospel Broadcasting Network (GBN) - "A satellite network, broadcasting the truth and nothing but the truth, 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
- In Light of the Word
Directories
- ChurchZip - Global Directory of 40,031 Churches of Christ with maps, web-sites, contact names, and geographical search capabilities."
- Churches of Christ Online - Locate local US Church Websites with Thumbnail views by State. Just click on the map.
- Church of Christ Online Network - An Online directory of US Churches of Christ web pages
- Singapore Churches of Christ -
- Global Directory of Christian Universities Affiliated with the Churches of Christ
- Worldwide Church of Christ Locator
- Directories of churches of Christ
History and sources
- Historical Texts, Images, and Interpretations of the Restoration Movement: Disciples of Christ, Christian Churches, Churches of Christ
- TheRestorationMovement.com
- British web site of early churches of Christ - History web site detailing in Europe churches of Christ before the American RM
Miscellaneous
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