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To: bramps; All
Anybody provide any info on the Christian beliefs of the Church of Christ?

Sure can, given that I have been a member for 30 years.

We are an independent Christian denomination, though we do not like that word, preferring "brotherhood".

Historically, we have been called the "Barton-Stone Movement", after the men that started the movement, Thomas Campbell and Barton Stone. But their views are not that significant in defining the theology of the brotherhood today. For example, Campbell was not a Trinitarian, those I and most members of the church of Christ that I know believe in the Trinity. These men were formerly associated with the Presbyterians and Anabaptists, but wanted simply to be called "Christians".

We believe in individuals interpreting the Bible, but admittedly our brotherhood does have influence on that interpretation. Theologically, we believe in the Trinity; creation ex nihilo, young-earth (though there are a lot of old-earthers like me); we are somewhat dispensational, though we think Israel still has a place in God's plan; we believe in the substitutionary atonement of Christ, the divine 2nd person of the Godhead; general election but individual choice for salvation; baptism for remission of sins; the possibility of a believer's fall; an indwelling Holy Spirit; the resurrection of the dead at Christ's return (generally amillenial though some are pre-mil/pre-trib).

We are often recognized for our worship practices: we sing acapella, without instruments; we partake of the Lord's Supper (what we call the Eucharist / Communion) each Sunday; we practice immersion baptism for the remission of sins (meaning one is not considered a Christian until he/she is baptized).

We were formerly well-known for our memorization of Scripture; sadly, that is not true anymore, though I do it and wish we would as a brotherhood return to it.

We do not recognize any religious hierarchy beyond the local church, though churches will cooperate on missions and benevolence, as churches in the New Testament did. Each church is governed by a body of elders (also called shepherds or pastors); the pulpit preacher is subject to the elders, as are deacons who direct and carry out the work of the local church.

Churches of Christ were formerly, and somewhat infamously, known for their condemnation of all other Christian groups as not following the New Testament, and therefore Hell-bound. This is no longer true, and we are all the better for it. There are significant overtures to the denominations now, particularly our long-lost sister group, the Christian Church, and another splinter group, the International Church of Christ.

The churches of Christ are strongest in the South and Heartland; we are weakest on the coasts and in the northeast. Internationally, missions are strong, supported by local churches and affiliated Christian universities.

I am proud of my religious heritage, and am glad to share it with the Duck Commander.

29 posted on 01/31/2013 10:37:10 AM PST by backwoods-engineer ("Remember: Evil exists because good men don't kill the gov officials committing it." -- K. Hoffmann)
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To: backwoods-engineer

Thank you


33 posted on 01/31/2013 3:06:34 PM PST by bramps (Sarah Palin got more votes in 2008 than Mitt Romney got in 2012)
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