• You May Be Surprised
• Some Facts About The Church Of Christ That You May Or May Not Know
• Introduction
• There are many mis-conceptions about the Church of Christ in our communities,
and the religious world.
• These are some facts that perhaps you may not know.
• We hope to correct any mis-representations that you may have heard about
the church of Christ.
• You may be surprised that:
• Everyone in the assembly is invited to participate in the singing portion
of the worship services.
• We have no choirs, special groups or solos.
• We use no pianos, drums, organs or guitars, etc.
• All music is A Capella (vocal) as the New Testament indicates it was in
the apostolic days
• (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
• Do you know the meaning of “A Capella”?
• It is an Italian word that means literally “like the church.”
• Contrary to what you may have heard, the singing is good singing, soul
stirring and encouraging!
• Singing is the purest form of collective worship. The only act of worship
in which all participate.
• Singing encourages others, and praises God.
• In our worship, we sing psalms hymns and spiritual songs.
• We sing in a reverential fashion, yet we sing with our hearts and emotions,
and most of us enjoy singing.
• You may be surprised that:
• visitors are NOT requested to make a contribution.
• Local members contribute on the first day of the week, each and every
week.
• This is done without demand in the form of “tithes” or “assessments.”
• (2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:7)
• Free-will giving on the basis of other New Testament principles is impressed
as the plan of scriptural giving
• No cake sales, church entertainment, raffles, or other money raising schemes
are used!
• We do not appeal for, or beg from those outside the Lord’s own family.
• All contributions, if the Lord’s Will is respected, are freely given.
• We do not appeal for, or beg from those outside the Lord’s own family.
• You may be surprised that:
• we commemorate the death of Christ by partaking of the Lord's supper,
which was instituted by Christ and commanded and taught by Paul, the Apostles
• (Matthew 26:26-29;1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
• In the first century, “upon the first day of the week the disciples
came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7).
• Therefore, since every week has a first day, it follows that the Lord's
death must be commemorated every week!
• Not quarterly, once every six months, or only on “Easter Sunday”!
• You may be surprised that:
• There will be no arm twisting or pressure tactics used to make you commit
to something.
• You will not be urged to act or move in response to the invitation of
the Lord until you have sufficient knowledge of the Truth, to serve as a basis
for your faith
• (John 20:30-31; Acts 16:32).
• It may surprise you that:
• most Christians attend every assembly of the church because they want
to,
• They enjoy it, and understand it is commanded and because they realize
that assembling to worship is vital to their spiritual growth and service to God
• (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25).
• You may be surprised to know:
• that we have no man-made prayer book,
• We have no church-authorized discipline, manual or creed
• We make it our goal to be honest and sincere to follow the Bible as closely
as we can.
• And we practice our religion in spirit and truth and do not practice ritualistic
worship
• (2 Timothy 3:16-17 & 4:1-4).
• You may be surprised that:
• Our services are done decently and in order.
• You will not hear shouting, screaming or any other manifestation of unbridled
emotions.
• No one will fall out in a faint, roll around on the floor or speak in
“unknown” tongues.
• You will see that the admonition of the apostle Paul that all things “be
done decently and in order,” is sincerely observed
• (1 Corinthians 14:40).
• We try to remember that we are in the presence of God, and behave respectfully.
• You may be surprised that:
• the services are not conducted by a man claiming to be a part of a special
priesthood.
• There is no clergy in the Church of Christ.
• Since the Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest and all Christians now
make up a general priesthood and can themselves approach God and offer their prayers
and sacrifices, it should be evident that no special earthly priesthood is necessary
today.
• (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Hebrews 4:14-16).
• Neither do we use religious titles.
• We call members of the church saints, or Christians, or brethren.
• Even preachers do not wear the name of God by allowing people to call
them reverend (Psalm 111:9) or father (Matthew 23:9), padre, pastor, and all other
titles man may call him.
• In the Bible, the word “Pastor” is used for those who are
elders, bishops, presbyters, and those who oversee the local church.
• Most who wear these titles are full of self and egotistical not really
concerned with following God’s book.
• It may surprise you that:
• the church of Christ has neither earthly headquarters nor an earthly head.
• Even though virtually all denominations have earthly headquarters.
• Christ alone is head of His body and the church’s headquarters is
in heaven, where Christ now sits and rules with ALL authority
• (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Philippians 3:20-21).
• Neither do congregations come together and vote on what we are going to
believe.
• Many denominations use conventions and councils to make policy and determine
what is and is not right.
• You may be surprised to know:
• That contrary to what you may have heard, the church of Christ is not
intent on condemning everyone to Hell,
• but invites all to come to our Lord in obedient faith,
• in faithful service and worship
• and in Godly living,
• that one may enjoy the benefits of His grace and strive for the hope of
eternal life
• (Titus 2:11-12; 1 John 2:25).
• You may be surprised to learn that:
• the Lord’s church is neither Catholic, Protestant, sectarian nor
denominational. The Lord’s church in the first century was obviously none
of these.
• If we are correct in our claim that we follow His Word alone
• (admitting that not all “churches of Christ” can honestly
make this claim)
• and in every way seek to be simple New Testament Christians,
• then we are the same as it was in the first century.
• Conclusion
• Being of the same head, doctrine and practice results in being the same
body the Lord purchased or built and therefore antedates both Catholicism and
all Protestant denominations
• (Acts 20:28; Matthew. 16:18).
• We greatly desire the unity for which Jesus prayed, but, we believe that
scriptural unity is found only in Christ (John 17:20-21).
• We stand upon the Word of our Lord alone, respecting His authority in
everything and speaking only as He directs us.
• (1 Peter 4:11).
By Carey Scott
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