What is New Testament Christianity? As in the Church of Christ?

Question

The church established by Christ himself and it's Biblical origin, the Churches of Christ.
www.church-of-christ.org

Answer 1

The Churches of Christ are non-denominational, autonomous Christian congregations. These churches comprise about 2,000,000 members in over 15,000 individual congregations worldwide.[1]

Churches of Christ generally emphasize their intent to simply be part of the original church established by Jesus Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection, which became evident on the Day of Pentecost as described in the New Testament in Acts 2. Churches of Christ emphasize the use of only the New Testament to find doctrine, ecclesiastical structure, and moral beliefs, while maintaining that the Old Testament is also the inspired Word of God, is historically accurate, and that its principles remain true and beneficial (although its laws are not binding under the new covenant in Christ unless otherwise taught in the New Testament).

Churches of Christ in the United States are historically connected to the Restoration Movement championed by American preachers/theologians of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, most notably Thomas Campbell and his son Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, and Barton W. Stone. These and other leaders from various denominations were seeking original Christianity as they were independently finding several beliefs, practices, and restrictive dogmas in their respective church traditions to no longer be acceptable or biblical to them.

Members of the Church of Christ point out that throughout church history many have sought a return to the simple original Christianity that is "pre-denominational" and unbound by the decisions of councils or denominational hierarchies. Rather than basing doctrine on the interpretations of post-first century church fathers, ecclesiastical councils, or more modern denominational synods or conventions, they use only the Bible as their official source of doctrine. This also allows for the Bible to be open for continual examination and interpretation from congregation to congregation and from Christian to Christian. They do not believe it necessary to trace an unbroken humanly recorded lineage back to the church of the first century in order to be the timeless and continual church that was established by Christ. This is based on the ideology that the church is a spiritual body, therefore differing from secular or political notions of ecclesiastical lineage. Furthermore, that God demonstrates in the New Testament how a person may become a Christian, thus a part of the church, and how Christians may collectively organize and carry out the purposes of the church which Christ established. Also realized is that Christians can do this without any prior knowledge of other Churches of Christ as different groups practicing this form of Christianity have discovered one another without any prior connection (e.g., different segments of what became known as the Restoration Movement; early, ante-Nicene churches).

Today, Churches of Christ usually have the following distinctive traits: the refusal to hold to any creeds other than the Bible itself (i.e., sola scriptura); the practice of repentance and believer's baptism in Christ's name as the response to receive remission of sins and the Holy Spirit (e.g., Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16); autonomous, non-denominational congregational church organization, with congregations overseen by a plurality of male elders; the weekly observance of communion/eucharist (i.e., the Lord's Supper); and the practice by most congregations of a cappella worship singing (although several related congregations use instruments while keeping these other practices - also known as Christian Churches).

Answer 2

The Church of Christ tries to conduct their worship services and also organize their congregations according to the way the early Christians did in the New Testament. Each congregation is independent, ruled by Christ as the head, with elders and deacons selected by the Biblical criteria. Some congregations don't have musical instruments in their services, but do allow them for weddings and secular music. Their worship includes praying, reading the word, giving, preaching, singing and receiving the Lord's Supper every Sunday.
Some congregations are very legalistic and put more emphasis on doing everything perfectly, becoming, imho, like the Pharisees of the Bible. "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."
I was raised in such a Church of Christ. I have since learned that not all are that bad and have returned.

Answer 3

The birthday of the Church is Pentecost. Jesus never organized a church during His mortal ministry. It's the Holy Spirit that adds to the Church. Not and organization but rather a living and breathing organism.... Jim

Answer 4

Those who lean unto there own understanding of scripture are leading others astray and blinded by their "pride!" But this has to occur for the Kingdom of God is coming to this earth and establish His way as the only way.

Pride is man's downfall. The End of the circle of man's self rule will be the beginning of Christ's Kingdom but that "pride" must be broken first!

Answer 5

the church of christ goes by the title of the roman catholic church. try these sites

www.scripturecatholic.com
www.fisheaters.com
www.catholiceducation.org
www.salvationhistory.com

try find the writings of the church fathers,from them and from the bible you will see that the catholic church was the church jesus gave us,it was this church that gave us the bible aswell even during times of persecution and being killed for being christian the catholic church prevailed,as promised by jesus it was and is led by the holy spirit and the gates of hell shall prevail upon it.