What does the church of Christ believe?

HAVE WE FORGOTTEN THAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS UNIQUE?

(Note: The following article was written by John Jones, minister of the church in McEwen, TN and appeared in that church's bulletin of August 4, 2025. I have never met brother Jones, but for a period of over thirty years, beginning in 1980, I conducted at least six meetings with the church in McEwen and spoke there at various other times on special occasions. I know most of the present elders and what they stand for. I commend brother Jones' excellent article to all readers of Hugh's News & Views. It is a fitting sequel to the article two weeks ago on "How Do You View The Church of Christ?" If some think my emphasis on the distinctiveness of the church of our Lord is a case of "overkill," I would simply note that it is "the squeaking wheel that gets the grease." Far too many Christians, including many preachers and elders, have either forgotten, never knew, or have abandoned, what the New Testament says about the one church Christ established. The denominational world has absolutely no concept of Christianity except from a denominational perspective. Brother Jones' article follows).

One truth that we cannot overemphasize is that the church of Christ is unique in the religious world today. We claim to be the church you can read about in the Bible because we follow what we see as a pattern in the New Testament for the establishment of the Christian church (not used as a "name" for the church, but as a descriptor of the New Testament church, as distinct from "the church in the wilderness" composed of fleshly Israelites, Acts 7:38, hf). We meet together on the first day of the week to partake of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7), sing songs of praise to God without instrumental musical accompaniment (Ephesians 5:19), give of our means to support the work of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1–2), offer prayers to God (1 Timothy 2:1), and hear a message from God's word (Acts 2:42). We do these things because this is what the early church did in their worship. We recognize the apostle's doctrine of male spiritual leadership (1 Corinthians 14:33–34) but also appreciate the roles of service our hard-working women provide the church (Titus 2:3–5). We follow the pattern of each congregation having elders who lead the local church to follow Jesus (1 Timothy 3:1–6). We emphasize, scripturally, that baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). These biblical principles make us unique in the religious world today!

The ability to provide a scripture reference behind each of the spiritual activities we do is very important to us. We believe in biblical authority that comes from recognizing the Lord's authority in the running of His church. He purchased it with his own blood (Acts 20:28), He built it (Matthew 16:18), and He is its head (Ephesians 5:23), therefore He commands and we obey. But those commands are given in a spirit of love because He knows what is best for us. When we obey Him, we recognize His love for us and respond submissively to Jesus because we love Him (John 14:15).

Unfortunately, I've recently seen some of our members act like the church of Christ is just one among many denominational options or, sadly, that their membership is only tied to where their parents raised them. I'm worried that we may be turning into the Israelites of Judges 2:10 - "And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel." I've heard some recently explain that former members here are now attending with the Baptists or Methodists and, instead of expressing deep sadness over this, act as if its better to be worshiping in falsehood than not at all.

Don't get me wrong, we love everyone. But our love for them ought to be shown in a deep concern for their souls. If we believe all churches are essentially the same, other than some minor differences, we have completely missed the point. Jesus built one church and disunity among Christians is condemned (1 Corinthians 1:10). Jesus calls all Christians to a unity that is founded upon the truth of His word (John 17:17, 20–23). If we give up on that, can we really claim to be Christ's followers?

Do we know who we are and what we stand for? Do we understand the "restoration plea"? Are we still interested in Christian unity from a "back to the Bible" perspective? Let's encourage our brethren about what makes us unique and invite everyone we know to join us in the ongoing work of restoration: restoring individuals to God and restoring the church to the pattern the apostles show us clearly in the pages of the New Testament.

Hugh Fulford

Bible Truths...Baptism

BIBLE TRUTHS ABOUT BAPTISM

 

* John the Baptist preached "baptism for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4).

 

* Those who refused John's baptism rejected the counsel of God (Luke 7:30).

 

* Jesus Himself was baptized by John and God was well pleased with Him (Matthew 3:13-17).

 

* Jesus had no sins (I Peter 2:21-22), but in being baptized Jesus "fulfilled all righteousness" (Matthew 3:13-16), i.e., He obeyed a commandment that God had given through John the Baptist and all of God's commandments are righteousness (Psalm 119:172).

 

* Jesus also was baptized to avoid the conflicting position of being "a teacher come from God" (John 3:2) while not submitting to the preaching of another teacher from God, John the Baptist (John 1:6-7).

 

* Jesus and His disciples baptized (John 3:26; John 4:1-2).

 

* Jesus said that a man who had experienced the natural birth from his mother's womb must nevertheless be "born again...of water and the Spirit" (John 3:3-5).

 

* Jesus commanded the apostles to teach all nations, baptizing people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20).

 

* Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

 

* The apostle Peter told sinners to "repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38).

 

* As a result of having Christ preached to him, the Ethiopian eunuch asked to be baptized, and upon confessing his faith in Christ, he immediately was baptized (Acts 8:35-39).

 

* Baptism is a complete immersion in water (Matthew 3:16; Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:4-5; Colossians 2:12).

 

* The Philippian jailer and his household were baptized the same hour of the night in which they learned what to do to be saved (Acts 16:25-34).

 

* "And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed, and were baptized" (Acts 18:8b).

* There is but one baptism: baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the remission of sins (Ephesians 4:5; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38).

 

* Baptism is so important that Paul re-baptized about twelve men who had received the outdated baptism of John the Baptist (no longer valid if administered after Acts 2), i.e., the men had to make a second trip to the water in order to be right with God (Acts 19:1-7).

 

* Baptism washes away sins (Acts 22:16).

 

* Baptism is into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27).

 

* Baptism is into the death of Christ where He shed His blood (Romans 6:3-4; John 19:33-34).

 

* It is in baptism that one contacts the blood of Christ (note the preceding) and has his sins washed away (Acts 22:16).

 

* Baptism is not a work of human merit, but a work of God (Colossians 2:11-12).

 

* God saves people according to His mercy "by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:4-7).

 

* Baptism is into the one body, the church (I Corinthians 12:13; (Ephesians 1:22-23).

 

* The church of the Lord (the composite of all those who have been saved—Acts 2:47) is sanctified and cleansed "with the washing of water by the word" (Ephesians 5:25-26).

 

* Baptism saves (I Peter 3:21).

 

Hugh Fulford

 

He Lives

He Is Alive

 

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead . . . . . . . .(1 Corinthians 15:19-20)

 

 Jesus has been crucified, his body taken from the cross and laid in a sepulchre that is tightly sealed with a stone (Mk. 15:46-47). With high hopes and dreams, the disciples of Jesus had given their hearts, souls and minds to him. Up to a few days ago everything was going well but now they have watched as Jesus was crucified and his body placed in that sepulchre. Now his disciples are miserable and gather together mourning and weeping (Mk. 16:10). Suddenly, Mary Magdalene appears telling them that Jesus is alive, she has seen him. The mourning and weeping will now be replaced with joy.

 

As I sit here today, these words from a beautiful song echo within my heart: "Because he lives I can face tomorrow, Because he lives all fear is gone, Because I know he holds the future, And life is worth the living just because he lives." We don't have any inkling of an idea what lies just around the corner in front of us. It may be good but it also may not be good. Thanks be to God, we don't have to be fearful of the next moment (Isa. 12:2-3); Heb. 4:14-16; John 14:1-3, 27; Phil. 4:6-7; Heb. 13:5; Rom. 8:35-39).

 

So long as we obey him and him only, so long as we love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, ever trusting and confiding in him, his faithful love will surround us with tender care and, not in a literal sense, by faith he will whisper to us, "You are not alone" (Mark 12:30; Psalm 62:8; Heb. 13:5-6). We are greatly blessed with the privilege of walking each day of our life with him as our friend, our companion and protector always instructing and safely guiding us whatever betides us (John 15:14; Psalm 145:18-20; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).We know that he holds the future in his hands and with confidence we can face each day knowing we have the touch of the Master's hand on our heart.

 

I can think of no better way to end this thought than by the words written by A.H. Ackley in the song, He Lives: "He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart."

 

Charles Hicks

 

No Place Like Home

No Place Like Home

 

We are confident, I say, and willing to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him (2 Cor. 5:8-9).

 

As I think about this passage from 2 Corinthians 5, some beautiful words from the song, Anywhere Is Home, begin fill my heart: "Oft I'm tossed about and driven by the foe, Sad within without wherever I may go, But  I press along still looking up in prayer, For its home sweet home if Christ my Lord is there." Long ago I came to the conclusion that wherever you go, whatever you do, there just is no place like the comfort and peace of a home filled with the faithful love of Christ. As much as this is true in the temporal realm, I, for one, believe to be absent from this body and be present with the Lord is far greater.

 

I love this life and want to stay here for as long as possible. Yet I know that this world is not my permanent dwelling place and neither is it yours (Phil. 3:20; 1 Pet. 2:11). With all our being we should be reaching forth to that which lies in front of us knowing that with the passing of each day, yea even the passing of each minute of each day, we are brought  one step closer to shedding these earthly bonds (Phil. 3:13-14). Yes, I do love this life and want to stay here a little longer, yet there is within my heart a longing for that day when I will shed these earthly bonds and be present with the Lord. What do you say about yourself?

 

Life as we know it is so uncertain. Job tells us it is of few days as well as like a swift ship (Job 14:1, 9:26); Isaiah compares life to a thread soon to be cut Isa.:38:12); 2 Sam. 14:14 tells us life is like water spilled on the ground which cannot be gathered up again and James tells us that our life is like a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14-15). Psalms 90:9-10 is a great summation of life: "For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our days as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away."

 

As we journey through this earthly life, I pray that for each of us it will be one in which happiness, contentment, prosperity, reasonably good health, comfort and peace of mind will far outweigh the adverse conditions that will surely strike our human frame from time to time. But most of all I pray that when we take that journey from which we will not return, it will be well with our eternal soul on that great appointed judgement day. O, how I want one day to stand in the presence of the Lord and proclaim, Home, Home at last! How about you?

 

Charles Hicks

 

BABY JESUS AND BIG JESUS

 

BABY JESUS AND BIG JESUS

 

We are at that time of the year when people's attention is drawn to the birth of Christ. The Bible does not tell us the date of His birth. We only know that "when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…" (Galatians 4:4-5). We rejoice over that birth—as well as the earthly life, teaching, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, coronation, intercession, and promised return of Christ. How wonderful it would be if the world could be as excited about Christ the whole year 'round as it is at Christmas—though I am deeply thankful that at least once in a while people will give Him some thought!

 

How great it would be, too, if the world would be as attracted to the "Big" Jesus as it is to the "Baby" Jesus. Perhaps it is just part of human nature to be smitten by a baby. (I have never seen an ugly baby—at least one that I would say was ugly!)

 

As we approach what the world knows as Christmas, let us look again at the "Baby" Jesus, and then do some serious thinking about the "Big" Jesus.

 

Baby Jesus was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit and born in Bethlehem of Judea. All of this was in fulfillment of divine prophecy made centuries before the birth of Christ (Matthew 1:18 – 2:12; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2). (Let me encourage you to turn in your Bible and read this beautiful story of how our Savior came to earth. It will build your faith in the word of God and it will touch the hardest of hearts to read for yourself this wonderful story of God's love for all mankind). It is hard to see how anyone would not believe these passages of Holy Writ and rejoice greatly that our Savior was born and that the Word (Christ in his pre-fleshly existence with God the Father from all eternity) became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-14).

 

But Jesus did not stay a baby. He grew to become a boy and then a man. As a boy, He was subject to Mary and Joseph (who married Mary after the birth of Christ, Luke 2:1-7, especially v. 5) (Luke 2:51). As a boy, Jesus advanced "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). He grew mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. (Note: Parents today might well ask themselves, "How are my children growing and developing? What am I doing to train my children in these four areas of a well-balanced life?").

At about the age of thirty, Jesus was baptized, being immersed by John the Baptist (Baptizer) and began His ministry of teaching (Luke 3:21-23). However, His teaching did not sit well with many who heard Him, and it does not sit well with many people today—even with some who profess to follow Him. The adoration that people have for Baby Jesus does not always translate into adoration and agreement with Big Jesus.

 

Consider the following:

Jesus came to bring "peace on earth and good will among men" (Luke 2:14). But in another sense He did not come to bring peace but a sword and to cause division even among families when some family members choose to follow Christ and other family members reject Christ (Matthew 10:34-39). (Note: Christ bringing both peace on earth but also a sword is one of the great antinomies of scripture, a situation in which two seemingly contradictory statements are made, but which, in reality, are two contrasting yet reasonable and valid truths, two sides of the same coin).

Christ makes demands of people that they don't want to meet (Matthew 16:24-26). Christ taught things that people do not want to hear. He condemned anger and hatred toward others (Matthew 5:21-22. He said that lust was equal to adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). He permitted divorce and remarriage for only one reason (Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:1-9; Romans 7:4). He taught that the two greatest commandments was to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as he loves himself (Matthew 22:36-38) and to do to others as we would have them do to us (Matthew 7:12). He said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15).

Jesus taught that He is the only way to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:11-12). He said that if people do not believe in Him they will die in their sins (John 8:24), and that if one does not repent he will perish. (Luke 13:3). He said if we do not confess Him before men, He will not confess us before the Father (Matthew 10:32-33). Jesus taught the necessity of being baptized (immersed in water) in order to be saved (Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5). Many do not accept the "Big" Jesus on these matters.

Christ emphasized the necessity of obedience to God—instead of the substitution of pious deeds that one might do in His name. In other words, no one can buy or earn his or her way into heaven by just being a good person, with a good heart, and who does some good things along the way of their life (Matthew 7:21-23). Jesus said things that caused people to to turn away from Him (John 6:66-68).

Yet in none of these things was Jesus trying to discourage people from becoming His disciples. In fact, He sought to do the very opposite. Big Jesus said (and still says), "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will fine rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). But such involves counting the cost and being willing to pay the price. (Luke 14:26-28).

So, at this season of the year, as we adore the Baby Jesus let us remember that the baby became a man who made demands. In many ways, He was the demanding Christ.

Are we big enough to commit ourselves to the Big Jesus?

Hugh Fulford

A New Chapter Begins

A New Chapter Begins

 

 The Lord willing, we are about to begin writing a new chapter in the story of our lives. As we come to the end of 2025 and enter 2026, most of us will find ourselves looking back over the months gone by thinking about the good times as well as those not so good. We will think about things we said and did that we wish we had not said or done and, yes, we will think about the things we should have said and done but did not say or do.

 

Days gone by have brought to us moments of happiness, joy, peace and contentment. There have also been those moments when pain, heartache, sorrow and disappointment have filled our soul. I believe it is safe to say that all of us have laughed together and cried together with our families, friends and the brethren. All in all, this has been a wonderful journey thus far.

 

As we move forward into the year 2026, I pray that all of us will resolve to give God the best we have to give. He wants a service from us that comes from the heart (Prov. 23:26). He calls for the best of our love (Mark 12:30-31), and the best of our loyalty (Luke 9:23-26).  Our thoughts, desires, intents and purposes must center on the things of God (Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:1-2; Matt. 6:33; 2 Pet. 1:4-11; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:25-32; John 14:15).

 

May we never forget that there are no guarantees that we will ever see any of those days of 2026 and if we do, they may be few in number. One day the final line will be written on our lives, the last chapter will be finished and the book will be closed on our earthly journey. Each passing day just brings us a step closer to the moment when we will face God in the great judgment ( Acts 17:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10).

 

  As I think about entering the new year 2026 with all of its uncertainties, I think about the chorus of the beautiful song that proclaims, "Living by faith in Jesus above, Trusting, confiding in His great love; free from all harm safe in His sheltering arm, I'm living by faith and feel no alarm." For whatever time I may have left on planet earth, this is the way I intend to live my life. How about you?

 

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me"—Galatians 2:20

 

Charles Hicks

swabbie5256@gmail.com

 

 

 

The Greatest of These

 

The Greatest of These

 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (1 Corinthians 13:13).

 

As we sail the sea of life, our faith, hope and love are like protective barriers that surround us and enable us to navigate through the fiercest of storms that so often arise on our voyage through this life. Faith is not just believing in God although believing is necessary (Heb. 11:6). True faith is one evidenced by a life of obedience to the word of the Lord Romans 6:17; Heb. 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:7-9). Hear the words of the Lord from Jeremiah 7:23: "But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you".

 

Hope is founded on that which we cannot behold with our human eyes. It is grounded in that which we have not yet attained (Rom. 8:24; Phil. 3:12-14). Thus, hope is the anchor of our souls as we sail this sea of life with all of its trouble and strife. Although I cannot now see it, I know there is a place prepared for me that is more wondrous than any words can adequately describe (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 2:9; Rev. 21:1-4; Rev. 22:1-5). Without this hope dwelling steadfastly in my heart, my life would, indeed, be a miserable existence (1 John 3:1-3).

 

Love is the foundation upon which our faith and hope is built. It is the love of God for us (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-9) along with our love for him (Mark 12:29-30) that will impart to us the strength and courage we need to see us through each day. Our love for the church becomes an integral part of our faith and hope (Matt. 6:33). And we must not forget the importance of loving each other (John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 4:10-12, 19-21).  There is no doubting that love is the greatest of these because without a great love there would be no faith, no hope for a better country

 

Suppose for a moment that you are standing before the judgment seat of our Lord and he says to you, "According to your love for me, the church and your brethren, so be it unto you". Where will you spend your eternity? Sobering thought, isn't it?

 

Charles Hicks