What does the church of Christ believe?

BIBLE FACTS ABOUT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

1. It was established by Christ (Matthew 16:18).

 

2. It was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28).

 

3. It was the culmination of God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:8-12).

 

4. It began in the city of Jerusalem in c. A.D. 30 (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4, 47).

 

5. Its foundation is the deity of Christ (Matthew 16:16-18;  I Corinthians 3:11).

 

6. Its head is Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18).

 

7. It is singular in number (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18).

 

8. It is composed of all who have been saved from their sins by obedience to the gospel (Acts 2:37-47; Acts 18:8; Romans 6:16-18).

 

9. Its organization is in harmony with the Scriptures—autonomous congregations overseen by elders and served by deacons.  (Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Timothy 3:1-14).

 

10. It wears names/descriptors that honor the One who planned it from all eternity (God), the One who brought it into existence (Christ), and that reflect its divine nature (II Thessalonians 1:3-4; Romans 16:16; Colossians 1:13-14, 18; I Timothy 3:15; et al).

 

11. Its worship consists only of those acts which the New Testament authorizes, not the traditions and commandments of men (John 4:24; John 17:17; Colossians 3:17; Acts 2:42; Matthew 15:7b-9).

 

12. Its law of entrance is that set forth in the New Testament, consisting of what a responsible person must do to be saved from sin (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-41, 47; Colossians 1:13).

 

13. It has no creed book, church manual, or catechism.  Its standard of authority for all matters of faith, doctrine, and practice is the teaching of the New Testament (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:3).

 

14. Its destination is heaven, the eternal realm of the redeemed (I Corinthians 15:24; Philippians 3:20-21; II Peter 1:10-11).

 

No denominational church—Catholic or Protestant—can  lay  claim to any of these biblical facts.  The Catholic Church arose as a result of a departure from and a corruption of the doctrine and practice of the New Testament church (Acts 20:28-31; II Thessalonians 2:3-4; I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 4:3-4).  The first protestant denomination—the Lutheran Church—began in 1521, less than 500 years ago, and far this side of the New Testament. All other denominations came later and are over 1500 years too late to be the church of which we read in the New Testament.  The facts about the church of Christ are clearly set forth in the New Testament, and the facts concerning the origin of Catholic and protestant denominations are available in history.  One would do well to acquaint himself/herself with these facts and to build his/her religious and spiritual life accordingly.

 

Hugh Fulford