Posted on 08/17/2007 11:11:00 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
Q:My grandson is marrying a lovely young lady of a different faith. She did not want a wedding in her church because instrumental music was not allowed. She also did not want to get married in our church. She wanted a backyard wedding.
Would you please enlighten us on the beliefs of the Church of Christ?
Elaine, Piedmont
A:Each Church of Christ traces its heritage to the Restoration Movement that swept the new American nation in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Baptists in New England, Methodists along the Middle Atlantic Coast and Presbyterians in the Appalachian Mountains, among others, grew distressed by what they saw as too much highlighting of denominational beliefs and not enough emphasis on what Christ taught and the earliest Christian church practiced.
Led predominantly by transplanted Scotsman Alexander Campbell and Presbyterian clergyman Barton Stone, some worshippers withdrew from their denominations and established individual, self-governing churches that sought to restore Christianity to ancient practices and biblical teachings. They threw out all creeds, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Apostles' Creed, and announced they had only one creed, the Bible.
They saw no reason to name themselves in any way other than as believers in Jesus Christ. Individual congregations, therefore, were called churches of Christ, disciples of Christ or Christian churches. In the beginning, these groups found it important to use lower case rather than capital letters when referring to themselves, to avoid the appearance of denominationalism.
They opposed any organization that was not at the local church level alone. For example, the Restoration Movement believed the New Testament showed that ancient churches engaged in mission work individually and did not form umbrella organizations for that purpose. The movement, therefore, eschewed mission societies in which various churches pooled their efforts for evangelism, charity or any other work.
In 1906 and 1968, divisions occurred in the Restoration Movement, leading to three groups: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the most liberal, which has become a denomination in the traditional sense; Christian Church/Churches of Christ, the centrist group, which retains complete local church autonomy, and the Churches of Christ, the most conservative of the groups and the one about which you asked.
Using the Bible — and giving great weight to the New Testament — each Church of Christ decides for itself what it believes and teaches. Despite this autonomy, there is a surprising degree of similarity among churches in practice and doctrine.
As your future daughter-in-law mentioned, Churches of Christ typically prohibit the use of musical instruments in worship. Members tend to read the Bible literally and to allow in church only those things that the New Testament specifically authorizes. They find direction for singing in Ephesians 5:19, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord ... .”
While the Old Testament mentions the use of musical instruments, the New Testament does not, so Churches of Christ practice only a cappella singing during services.
Adherents often point out that instrumental music was not used in Christian churches until the 600s, and the term "a cappella,” meaning to sing without instrumental accompaniment, is Italian for "as in the chapel.”
Churches of Christ tend to teach that each person has free will to accept or reject saving grace offered by God. In keeping with this teaching, they believe that predestination is limited to God ordaining that those who are righteous will be saved while those who are not righteous will be damned.
A person accepts God's offer of grace by being baptized, according to most Churches of Christ; therefore, only a person who has reached the age of accountability and can make such a decision may be baptized. Baptism is by immersion because it is believed that John the Baptist submerged Jesus when baptizing him and because the New Testament Greek root of "baptize” means to dip, plunge or immerse.
While some Christian denominations believe "once saved, always saved,” Churches of Christ typically teach that a person may lose or reject the salvation he or she once accepted.
Churches of Christ do not consider themselves as Protestants, nor do they count themselves as Orthodox or Roman Catholic. They do, however, celebrate Holy Communion every week, using grape juice instead of wine.
Churches of Christ interpret literally I Timothy 2:11, which says, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” Therefore, the congregations are led by male elders.
I see you have ran out of scripture and scriptural arguments.
Don’t you find it interesting that “God’s direct representative on earth” have issued so many contradictory doctrines?
Such as?
Baptizing without the correct invocation?
Not communing with the Bread and Wine (Body and Blood) of Christ?
Not hearing confessions with a representative of Christ on Earth?
Not laying on hands to recieve the Holy Spirit?
Sorry, I haven’t come across any contradictory doctrines. The authority of the Church to issue doctrine is Biblically pronounced. As opposed to the theologically immature.
Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as [the gospel] of the circumcision [was] unto Peter;
Gal 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Tell me, what is the difference between THE GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION and the GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION?
James required obedience to the Law of Moses and sacrifices and continued temple worship.
Paul did not. Like it or not, here is the first doctrinal denominational difference in the Church.
***Now, if I was a Cambellite, wouldn’t I know it?***
Interesting. When I visited with CofC people many years ago Alexander Campbell was always mentioned in their conversion tapes and films. Even the local CofC preacher is not afraid to call himself a Campbelite.
***Looks like you are attempting to smear the Church of Christ.***
I don’t have to. Their own exclusivness and holier than thou attitude does it for them. I know some don’t mean to have that attitude but others amongst them can’t help walking around with a chip on their shoulder.
You have 66?
Why not 666? Do you not see this an indicator? A coincidence?
If you would, please go online and read the original Christian Bible. If you have the indwelling Holy Spirit, please listen to Him. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Read His word. Don’t follow opportunists and heretics. Google up what you will; the Lord will lead you to the Christian Bible.
“Interesting. When I visited with CofC people many years ago Alexander Campbell was always mentioned in their conversion tapes and films. Even the local CofC preacher is not afraid to call himself a Campbelite.”
I have heard preachers in the Church of Christ for 30}+ years (I’m 43), in at least 10 different states and probably 200+ different preachers. I have NEVER heard a church of Christ preacher call himself a Campbellite.
The guy you heard must have been ‘off the reservation’, so to speak.
You really don’t have knowledge of the CoC?
You actually do fit my profile of the average CoC member. You shrink from historical knowledge and you do not consider those who lead your sect to be other than Godly.
Read about Campbell and Stone. Read about Sidney Rigdon and what he took from you guys and gave to the Mormons.
I actually like you people; you tend to be nice guys. But, theologically, you people haven’t even sat on chairs yet.
Lol!
You ARE the master of what you think you know. “my profile of the average CoC member”.
What is really funny is you sitting there telling me what I know or don’t know. You have a two-fer going....pompous and pretentious.
And I thank you for confirming it.
Wasn’t Peter the apostle married? See Matthew 8:14 for information.
True. He had a mother in law. It would have been most unfortunate if he had a mother in law and no wife.
Paul was unmarried. Most of the Apostles were unmarried. We believe that dedication to the Church can serve as does a marriage. A person can serve the Bride of Christ as one can serve in a marriage.
Does this serve our purposes at Free Republic?
Would you mind closing this infantile discussion down, maybe they can move it to some other board.
There is no edcuation purpose here, just “conservatives” tearing each other down.
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Jesus didn't say juice...He said FRUIT...He said THIS fruit...Jesus was hanging onto a bunch of grapes getting ready to squeeze more juice into the cup...
The only way you can turn it into fermented hooch is to ignore what God says in the scripture...
A little bible study always throws a monkey wrench into some folks theology...
To all participants: Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal. This thread is on zero tolerance.
LOL
You get an ‘A’ for creativity!
There is no Scripture confining hearing confessions to a select few. James 5:16 says:
" Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence."
Great...You get an 'E' for not believing God's word...
****It is interesting that you question the authority to decide if a person has done enough or not, yet you believe in a church with a pope, bishops, priests on and on.***
I DO? I’ve never even been to a Catholic service! Over the years I’ve been accused of being an Arminian(follower of Arminus’ doctrines) , Mexican, Mormon, and now a Catholic! What is next!
***Now, if I was a Cambellite, wouldn’t I know it?***
Since you are obviously ignorant of your own church history let me help you out.
http://www.therestorationmovement.com/cmbla.htm
http://www.disciples.org/discover/history/
http://www.bible.acu.edu/crs/doc/cblt.htm
http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/people/acampbell.html
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.