The Uniqueness Of The Churches Of Christ

There’s something different and unique about the churches of Christ in your community — something that is worth investigating. These churches follow the New Testament teaching and pattern. They do not possess a “new” and “different” revelation. Nor are they able to know any “hidden” truths that other religious people do not teach. What do churches of Christ believe?

1) Christ Is The Absolute Monarch – (Matthew 17:5; Matthew 28:18-20) — Other religious groups wait for the decisions of their conference, synods, association, while members of the churches of Christ recognize Christ as the only absolute authority to settle any decision of the soul.

2) These People Live Under Only One Religious Law Or Testament At A Time – (Jeremiah 31:31; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8:6-7; Hebrews 10:9) — Since these passages teach that there was an “old law” and that there is a “new law.” It is to be recognized that the old law was nailed to the cross and that the new law of Christ is now in effect. To try to live under both laws is considered by Paul as spiritual adultery (Romans 7:1-4).

3) These People Believe That One Can Become “Just A Christian” Without Being A Catholic Or Protestant – (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16) — The early Christians were not “Catholic” or “Protestant” Christians, but rather they were just simply the “children of God” (Gal. 3:26), known as “Christians” (Acts 11:26) or “a Christian” (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16) instead of being Gentiles or Jews (Gal. 3:28). Members of the churches of Christ believe it is still possible to obey all teachings of the Bible without belonging to any Protestant church or any Catholic church.

4) These People Intend To Have A “Thus Saith The Lord” For All They Do And Say In The Worship And Work Of The Church – Since the Bible declares that worshipers ought to "sing" (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), "pray" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), "give" of their money (1 Corinthians 16:2), "eat" the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7), and "teach" God’s Word (Matthew 28:18-20), these people known as the churches of Christ endeavor to do just that on each Lord’s day.

There is no other religious body in the world that teaches these four principles. Many religious groups teach some of these, but there is no religious group meeting that can consistently follow these four biblical principles and still maintain their identity as a denomination. Beloved, if the above is God’s truth, then we must follow it. If this is not the truth of God, then those who are members of the churches of Christ would appreciate your correcting them (by the Scriptures) where they are mistaken.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets