The New Testament Church
Much of the religious world draws crowds by hosting dinners, vacation Bible schools, plays, games, and various other worldly past-times. The New Testament church offers the Bible. If you’re seeking God’s Word, the true church doesn’t need you, you NEED the true church.
Could you identify the church as Christ designed it?
Is Your Church Biblically Aligned?
It's a question we must all ask ourselves: is our church truly as biblical as it could be? Imagine if the apostles, handpicked by Jesus Himself, were to attend your assembly at your place of worship. Would they recognize it as the same religion they practiced?
To answer this honestly, you must evaluate your church against the teachings and practices of the early church as outlined in the New Testament. Is your congregation faithfully obeying the commands of Christ and following the apostolic teachings? Are they emphasizing the importance of prayer, the study of God's Word, and the exercise of spiritual gifts? Do the teachers teach the listeners to exhibit the love, unity, and selflessness that characterized the early believers?
If we find that we are falling short in any of these areas, it may be a sign that our church is not the one we need to be a part of. to be more biblical and aligned with the teachings of the apostles.
Let us devote our utmost attention and reflection to this thought-provoking question. By doing so, we can ensure that our church preserves the essence of the early church and honors the teachings of Christ.
And if you find yourself thinking, “I had never thought about any of that!” then we pray you read on, as we hope to establish for you the Scriptural evidences of a true, New Testament church. These evidences we pray will convince you of the proper doctrine, practices, and goals of the church Christ Jesus established in His time on earth as a man.
Authority Comes From Scripture Only
Why do we do things? Have you ever looked at the things within your church and wondered why they are there? The windows, the decor, the particular Bible translation used in the pews, the songs, the rituals- All of these things had an origin point. All of these things were done for the first time at some time in the past.
With this in mind the sincere Christians will ask themselves them the following question: Where did my church get its practices? Do those practices come from God or from man?
The answer to this question should cause really sincere Christians to ask themselves some follow up questions: Does God care if my worship includes the traditions of man? Does He mind if there’s just a little tradition? What percentage of tradition versus God-given practices does the Lord allow?
All authority must come from God.
Authority is centered on the power and rule of law, and it ultimately derives from God the Father, His Son Jesus, His Spirit, and His Word. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus claims all authority in heaven and earth and instructs His followers to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey His commands. Loving and respecting God leads to honoring His Word and commands, as seen in John 5:23-28 and John 14:15-26.
The foundation of authority lies in the Lord Jesus Christ, as emphasized in John 1:1-18. God's Word contains the truth and should not be ignored (John 12:47-50). While some seek authority in church history, traditions, or personal revelations, the focus should shift to the Bible—the faith entrusted to the saints (Jude 1:3) and God-breathed Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Testing everything against the Word of God is essential (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Unfortunately, many reject the sufficiency of the Bible, favoring their own doctrines or supposed revelations. However, the Scriptures provide the ultimate authority, and any additional teachings that contradict the Word should be rejected. True authority is found solely in Christ, His apostles, and prophets who recorded the inspired Word of Truth in the Bible. Deviating from Christ's teachings leads to division and confusion among denominations.
To restore unity, respecting the principle of Bible authority is crucial. Many denominations adopt creed books, replacing the sole authority of the Bible with man-made rules. By returning to Scripture alone, embracing Christ's teachings, and discarding unauthorized creeds, we can overcome denominational divisions and promote unity in faith. Jesus prayed for believers to be united, reinforcing the importance of following the message of the apostles and finding harmony through God's Word (John 17:20-23).
To put it simply, if the Scripture doesn’t authorize it, the church should not be engaging in it. The modern church should resemble the original church. The church that Christ founded. The church belonging to Christ.
The church of Christ.
What Does Scripture Authorize Pertaining to the Church?
Non-Denominational
The church seeks to adhere solely to the New Testament pattern rather than adopting man-made creeds. It doesn't identify as a denomination, Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish, but rather as part of the church established and redeemed by Jesus. This is why its members often refer to themselves as "non-denominational" and wear the name "Church of Christ" not as a denominational label but as a reflection that they belong to Christ's church. The term "Church of Christ" denotes ownership by Christ himself.
Aware of their personal limitations, the members of the church strive to follow God's all-sufficient and perfect plan for the church even more diligently. They recognize that relying on God's guidance is the best way to overcome their weaknesses and ensure their faithfulness.
Unity Through God’s Word
In churches of Christ, we firmly believe that all authority has been vested in Christ by God (Matthew 28:18), making Him the spokesperson for God today (Hebrews 1:1-2). As a result, we hold the conviction that only Christ has the authority to define what the church is and what should be taught within it.
To adhere to Christ's instructions to His disciples, we recognize the New Testament as the sole basis for all religious teaching and practice. It is through the New Testament that we aim to lead people to become Christians without any modifications to its teachings.
Our commitment to unity is rooted in Jesus' prayer for unity (John 17) and the apostle Paul's plea for reconciliation among the divided (1 Corinthians 1). We firmly believe that unity can only be achieved through a return to the Bible, without compromising its teachings.
Therefore, we advocate for religious unity solely based on the principles found in the Bible. We reject the idea of creating human-made rules that everyone must follow. Instead, we propose uniting through adherence to the Bible's teachings, which we consider fair, safe, and right.
Our plea for religious unity is grounded in subscribing solely to the New Testament without any other creed. We believe that any refusal to obey New Testament commands or adopting practices not supported by it amounts to adding or subtracting from God's teachings, which the Bible condemns (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19).
This emphasis on the New Testament as the only rule of faith and practice forms the foundation of our beliefs and practices in churches of Christ.
Self-Governed Congregations
Churches of Christ operate without the artificial complexities of modern organizational structures. They lack governing boards, headquarters, or man-made organizations at district, regional, national, or international levels. Instead, each congregation is autonomous and self-governed, maintaining independence from one another. The unity among these congregations lies in their common allegiance to Christ and the Bible.
In this setup, you won't find conventions, annual meetings, or official publications. Locally, each congregation is governed by a group of elders, chosen from among the members, who meet specific biblical qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Additionally, deacons also play a role in the church, following the biblical criteria in 1 Timothy 3.
In summary, Churches of Christ function with a simple and decentralized structure, placing their focus on Christ and the teachings of the Bible, while allowing each congregation to make its own decisions on matters not specifically ruled on within Scripture and operate independently within the framework of their shared faith.
Items of Worship
In churches of Christ, worship revolves around five key elements, much like the first-century church. This pattern is regarded as crucial, as Jesus emphasized that true worship must be directed to God, prompted by the right spirit, and aligned with truth (John 4:24).
To worship God according to truth means adhering to His Word, as it is the source of truth (John 17:17). Thus, our worship should include everything found in the Bible and exclude anything not authorized by it.
In religious matters, our guide is faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), which arises from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Consequently, anything lacking biblical authorization cannot be done in faith, and such actions are considered sinful (Romans 14:23).
The five elements of worship practiced by the first-century church were singing, praying, preaching, giving, and partaking in the Lord's Supper.
In churches of Christ, there are differences in practice regarding two of these elements compared to other religious groups. Let’s explore our reasons for these distinctions:
Non-Instrumental Singing
Churches of Christ are often recognized for their exclusive use of a cappella singing during worship, without mechanical instruments. This practice stems from their commitment to follow the instructions of the New Testament in worship.
The New Testament does not mention instrumental music in worship, and Churches of Christ believe it is best to adhere to what is explicitly stated in the scriptures. With only eight verses discussing music in worship, all of which exclude instrumental music, they find no New Testament authority for its use.
The absence of mechanical instruments in worship is evident in passages like Matthew 26:30, Acts 16:25, Romans 15:9, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 5:18-19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 2:12, and James 5:13.
Historically, the introduction of instrumental music in church worship did not occur until the sixth century A.D., and it wasn't widely practiced until the eighth century. Even prominent religious figures like John Calvin, John Wesley, and Charles Spurgeon opposed instrumental music due to its absence in the New Testament. This historical context reinforces the stance of Churches of Christ in adhering strictly to a cappella singing as their chosen form of worship music.
Weekly Observance of The Lord's Supper
One noticeable difference between churches of Christ and other religious groups pertains to the observance of the Lord's Supper. Instituted by Jesus during the night of His betrayal (Matthew 26:26-28), this memorial supper is a significant practice for Christians to remember His death (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). The emblems used, namely unleavened bread and fruit of the vine, symbolize Jesus' body and blood (1 Corinthians 10:16).
Churches of Christ distinguish themselves by observing the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week. This choice stems from their commitment to following the teachings of the New Testament. The Scriptures describe the practice of the early church, stating, "And upon the first day of the week... the disciples came together to break bread..." (Acts 20:7).
While some argue that the text doesn't explicitly specify every first day of the week, churches of Christ believe it follows the same reasoning as the command to observe the Sabbath. Just as the command to remember the Sabbath day did not specify every Sabbath, it was understood by the Jews to refer to every Sabbath (Exodus 20:8). Similarly, the phrase "the first day of the week" is interpreted to mean every first day of the week.
Historical accounts from respected historians like Neander and Eusebius further support the practice of early Christians regularly partaking in the Lord's Supper on Sundays. This consistent observance remains a significant aspect of churches of Christ.
Membership
Perhaps you're curious about becoming a member of the church of Christ and the terms of membership. In churches of Christ, membership is not based on a specific formula or set of rules. Instead, it aligns with the New Testament's teachings on becoming a Christian.
In the early church, when someone became a Christian, they automatically became a member of the church. This principle remains unchanged in churches of Christ today. No separate ceremonies or additional requirements are needed for church membership; it comes naturally with one's acceptance of Christ.
According to the New Testament, those who repented and were baptized were saved and added to the church by God Himself (Acts 2:38, 2:47). Following this pattern, churches of Christ do not vote people in or impose mandatory studies. The focus is on their obedient submission to Christ as Savior.
The conditions for pardon, as taught in the New Testament, include hearing the gospel, believing in Christ, repenting of past sins, confessing Jesus as Lord, and being baptized for the remission of sins (Romans 10:17, Hebrews 11:6, Acts 17:30, Matthew 10:32, Acts 2:38). These steps are considered essential for one's journey to becoming a Christian and a member of the church of Christ.
What was that about Baptism?
In Churches of Christ, baptism holds significant importance as it is seen not merely as a "church ordinance" but as a direct command of Christ in the New Testament. The Scriptures teach that baptism is essential for salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16).
Infant baptism is not practiced because the New Testament portrays baptism as an act for repentant sinners who believe in the Lord. Infants, having no sin to repent of, cannot meet the qualification of believers.
The exclusive form of baptism followed in Churches of Christ is immersion, as the Greek word for "baptize" means to dip, immerse, or submerge. Scripture consistently describes baptism as a burial (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12).
The New Testament assigns several purposes to baptism, such as entering the kingdom, contacting Christ's blood, being united with Christ, and obtaining salvation, remission, and washing away of sins. Additionally, baptism serves as the means to join the church.
Scripture teaches that salvation is available to all since Christ died for the sins of the entire world, and the invitation to receive His saving grace is open to everyone. No one is predestined for salvation or condemnation. Each person has the choice to accept Christ's plea in faith and obedience or reject it.
Regardless of where one stands, Churches of Christ hope that individuals will decide to embrace the salvation offered by Christ, accepting it through obedient faith and becoming a part of His church.
While the true New Testament church encompasses more than the topics mentioned here, these are frequently discussed and sometimes controversial issues between God's church and various denominations. If you're new to learning about the Lord's church, we invite you to explore further by reading your Bible and exploring our website. Feel free to contact us or attend a service, where you can ask questions or share any concerns you may have. We welcome your curiosity and desire to understand more about what the scripture teaches!
“The Churches of Christ salute you!” [Romans 16:16]
“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” [Revelation 22:17]