What are the origins of the Churches of Christ?

Answer 1

Jesus promised to build his church. (Matthew 16:18)

In Acts 2, we can see that church come into being, and the Lord adding those who were saved to His church. (verse 47)

In that chapter, we see that people became Christians, members of the church, by hearing the message, believing, repenting of their sins and being baptized. They then continued together in one accord all following the doctrine as taught by the apostles.

These people all heard the same thing, all understood it the same, and they all obeyed it the same way. Doing this, God added them to the church.

This early church was no denomination. They were just Christians, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. No denomination even existed at that time.

Today, if we read and understand what they understood, believe what they believed, and do (obey) what they did, without adding any man-made doctrine, then we will become only what they became - Christians - nothing more, nothing less, nothing else!

This is the plea of the Church of Christ. We want to have the type of unity that Jesus prayed for (John 17:20-21) and Paul pleaded for (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)! To do this, we must return to the Scriptures as our source of doctrine (Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Notice the words of the Apostle Paul, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

This is the goal of the Church of Christ. This goal can only be accomplished if we set aside all man-made denominational creeds and return to the Word of God!

When a church goes to the word of God for its doctrine, then the origin of that church doctrine is the word of God.

When a church is organized as the word of God instructs, then the origin of that type of organization is the Word of God!

When a church wears a name that is found in the Word of God, then the origin of that name from the Word of God.

When a church worships as the word of God instructs, then the origin of that type of worship is from God.

When a church has ALL of these characteristics, then the origin of that church is the Word of God. If it originates from God's word, then it comes from God himself, and it predates any modern denomination! This is our goal, to be that church!

If you would like to know more, please watch the 6-lesson video Bible study at the attached link, or e-mail me with questions.

Thank you for your good question.

Answer 2

The church of Christ is the church founded by Jesus in the first century. It is the church that the Apostles were members of.

The congregations of the churches of Christ are not affiliated with any denomination but, instead, seek only to be Christians.

Each congregation is governed by its own elders, in harmony with the New Testament. We have no central headquarters or president. The head of the church is none other than Jesus Christ himself (Ephesians 1:22-23).

It is the Word of God that unites us into One Faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and his holy Apostles, and not the teachings of man. We are Christians only!

Many people falsely assume that Campbell found the church of Christ. Campbell and other were instrumental in restoring the church back to its first century roots. Following the “Dark Ages,” (A period of time lasting for several hundred years through the fourteenth century), men like Martin Luther and others began the task of trying to “reform” the apostate Catholic Church. They were unsuccessful in this attempt and created an atmosphere in which denominationalism had it’s rise. More recently, primarily during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, men on both sides of the world began to simultaneously, through the providence of God, realize the need to restore New Testament Christianity to it’s original design and intent. These men had realized that the “Reformation” was a failure and, thus, began what was to become known as the “Restoration Movement.” The success of this effort is seen in the many churches of Christ (Romans 16:16) which now circle the globe!

The churches of Christ today worship as the early disciples worship and follow the teachings of the New Testament. We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent.

Please see the source for more info

Answer 3

Churches of Christ in the United States are historically linked 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 have no biblical basis.

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.

Answer 4

It goes back to 1906 when two men, Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell wanted to break away from a denomination and become just Christians only and get to the creed of only living by the Bible.

Answer 5

Do you mean the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints? If so, that's the mormon church. I would punch Mormon church into Wikipedia and read up on it, they have an interesting sort of history.

Answer 6

Here is some info I found on the web. I'm COC & I believe this info will answer your question.

· Historical background of the Restoration Movement
One of the earliest advocates of the return to New Testament Christianity, as a means of achieving unity of all believers in Christ, was James O'Kelly of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1793 he withdrew from the Baltimore conference of his church and called upon others to join him in taking the Bible as the only creed. His influence was largely felt in Virginia and North Carolina where history records that some seven thousand communicants followed his leadership toward a return to primitive New Testament Christianity. In 1802, a similar movement among the Baptists in New England was led by Abner Jones and Elias Smith. They were concerned about "denominational names and creeds" and decided to wear only the name Christian, taking the Bible as their only guide. In 1804, in the western frontier state of Kentucky, Barton W. Stone and several other Presbyterian preachers took similar action declaring that they would take the Bible as the "only sure guide to heaven." Thomas Campbell and his illustrious son, Alexander Campbell, took similar steps in the year 1809 in what is now the state of West Virginia. They contended that nothing should be bound upon Christians as a matter of doctrine which is not as old as the New Testament. Although these four movements were completely independent in their beginnings, eventually they became one strong restoration movement because of their common purpose and plea. These men did not advocate the starting of a new church, but rather a return to Christ's church as described in the Bible. Members of the church of Christ do not conceive of themselves as a new church started near the beginning of the 19th century. Rather, the whole movement is designed to reproduce in contemporary times the church originally established on Pentecost, A.D. 30. The strength of the appeal lies in the restoration of Christ's original church.

· What is the distinctive plea of the church of Christ?
It is primarily a plea for religious unity based upon the Bible. In a divided religious world it is believed that the Bible is the only possible common denominator upon which most, if not all, of the God-fearing people of the land can unite. This is an appeal to go back to the Bible. It is a plea to speak where the Bible speaks and to remain silent where the Bible is silent in all matters that pertain to religion. It further emphasizes that in everything religious there must be a "Thus sayith the Lord" for all that is done. The objective is religious unity of all believers in Christ. The basis is the New Testament. The method is the restoration of New Testament Christianity.

· How many churches of Christ are there?
The most recent dependable estimate lists more than 15,000 individual churches of Christ. The "Christian Herald", a general religious publication which presents statistics concerning all the churches, estimates that the total membership of the churches of Christ is now 2,000,000. There are more than 7,000 men who preach publicly. Membership of the church is heaviest in the southern states of the United States, particularly in Tennessee and Texas, though congregations exist in each of the fifty states and in more than eighty foreign countries. Missionary expansion has been most extensive since the second World War in Europe, Asia and Africa. More than 450 full time workers are supported in foreign countries. The churches of Christ now have five times as many members as were reported in the U.S. Religious Census of 1936.

· How are the churches of Christ governed?
In each congregation, which has existed long enough to become fully organized, there is a plurality of elders or presbyters who serve as the governing body. These men are selected by the local congregations on the basis of qualifications set down in the scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-8). Serving under the elders are deacons, teachers, and evangelists or ministers. The latter do not have the authority equal to or superior to the elders. The elders are shepherds or overseers who serve under the headship of Christ according to the new Testament, which is a kind of constitution. There is no earthly authority superior to the elders of the local church.

· What does the church of Christ believe about the Bible?
The original autographs of the 66 books which make up the Bible are considered to have been divinely inspired, by which it is meant that they are infallible and authoritative. Reference to the scriptures is made in settling every religious question. A pronouncement from the scripture is considered the final word. The basic textbook of the church and the basis for all preaching is the Bible.

· Does the church of Christ have a creed?
No. At least there is no creed in the usual sense of the word. The belief of the church is stated fully and completely in the Bible. There is no manual or discipline to which the members of the church of Christ give their allegiance. The Bible is considered as the only infallible guide to heaven.

· How does one become a member of the church of Christ?
In the salvation of man's soul there are two necessary parts: God's part and man's part. God's part is the big part, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man glory" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The love which God felt for man led him to send Christ into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of the gospel to men constitute God's part in salvation. Though God's part is the big part, man's part is also necessary if man is to reach heaven. Man must comply with the conditions of pardon which the Lord has announced. Man's part can be clearly set forth in the following steps:
Hear the Gospel. "How shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe him who they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).
Believe. "And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Repent of past sins. "The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30).
Confess Jesus as Lord. "Behold here is water; What doth hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, If thou believe with all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God". (Acts 8:36-37).
Be baptized for the remission of sins. "And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
Live a Christian life. "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Restoring New Testament Christianity

History of Church Restoration

During the late 18th century, men and leaders of different denominations throughout the world, studying independently of one another, began to question the establishment of denominations and creeds and some of the practices that were being taught. These men asked: Why not go back to the origins of the first-century church? Why not rely on the Bible as the only guide to our lives and worship, rather than the creeds of man that had caused division in the church? These men encouraged teaching only what the Bible teaches, without additions or subtractions, which are both condemned in the New Testament (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18,19).

Each Congregation Is Self-Governed

The restoration of the church is not the establishment of another denomination, but instead is the practice of non-denominational Christianity. Each congregation is autonomous and independent of other congregations. They are not ruled by a bureaucracy formed by man to govern the activities and worship of the congregation. These type of organizations are not authorized in the New Testament.

Congregations of the churches of Christ are led by elders selected by the local congregation from among its members. These are men that meet the qualifications of an elder as described in the Bible in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Deacons are also selected by each congregation to serve in the work of the church. These are men that meet qualifications described in the Bible in 1 Timothy 3.

Worship

Our worship is conducted in a simple manner that includes the Lord's Supper, scripture reading, prayer, congregational singing, and a sermon from God's Word. These same items of worship were also observed by first-century Christians. See our Ministries/Worship web page for information on what to expect when you visit and worship with us. .

How Do I Become A Member?

Churches of Christ do not have a written set of procedures or initiation steps that must be met for you to obtain membership. The steps necessary for becoming a Christian, a member of Christ's church, are described in the New Testament. The steps taken by first-century Christians to be saved will bring you salvation as well.

The establishment of the church is recorded in Acts 2 and all those who repented and were baptized were saved (vs. 38). Since that day, all who were saved were added to the church. Verse 47 tells us that God did the adding. For this reason there is no established criteria that must be met to be considered a member of Christ's church other than those recorded in the New Testament. We have no authority to require any more of someone than their submission and obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The New Testament describes the following key steps in being saved: Hear the gospel - "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17)
Believe - "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6)
Repent and turn away from past sins - "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ..." (Acts 3:19)
Confess Jesus as Lord - Jesus said "He that confesses me before men, him will I also confess before my father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32)
Be baptized for the remission of your sins -"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins ..." (Acts 2:38).

Churches of Christ are known for putting an emphasis on baptism, but the emphasis is not as a church creed or ordinance, but as a command of Christ recorded in the New Testament. Baptism is taught in the New Testament as an act that is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). Baptism is performed as an immersion by churches of Christ, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12). Immersion is used because the original Greek word from which the word baptize comes means "to dip, to immerse, to submerge, to plunge." Sprinkling does not meet the New Testament definition of baptism and does not properly symbolize the burial of Christ as we are buried in the watery grave of baptism. We also do not practice infant baptism because the New Testament teaches a baptism for sinners who repent and turn to the Lord, believing Him to be the Son of God. Infants neither have sins to repent of, nor can they affirm themselves as believers. The New Testament declares baptism to serve the following purposes: Romans 6:3-4 To contact Christ's blood by being buried with Him in death
Galatians 3:27 To get into Christ and put on Christ
Mark 16:16
1 Pet. 3:21 To be saved
Acts 2:38 For the remission of sins
Acts 22:16 To wash away sins
John 3:15
1 Corinthians 12:13
Ephesians 1:22-23 To enter the "Kingdom of God",
the "body of Christ",
his church

Christ died for the sins of the world, and an invitation has been extended to everyone (Acts 10:34,35; Revelation 22:17). His saving grace is available for all to choose. No one is predestined for salvation or for condemnation. Those who choose to come to Christ in faith, obedient to the commandments given in the New Testament, will be saved. Others will reject His plea and be condemned (Mark 16:16). They will not be lost as a result of a predetermined condemnation, but because they have chosen that path in this life.

Where are you in your life? We hope and pray that if you haven't accepted the salvation offered by Christ, that you will do so and become part of His church.