This simple question avoided the use of often-divisive creeds, which had regularly become doctrinal statements to which people had to subscribe, in order to belong to a particular congregation.
In the hills of Kentucky, a Presbyterian minister named Barton W. Stone was leaving the Cumberland Presbytery with his entire congregation. In doing so, this group formed what became the Cane Ridge Christian Church. About this time, Thomas Campbell — and his son Alexander Campbell — 4 March both Presbyterian ministers from Pennsylvania, broke from their denominational background and began organizing Christian Churches throughout that state.
By the Campbell group, which by that time far outnumbered that of Stone, united with Stone's Kentucky churches to form the largest and fastest growing religious organization of that time. Again, let it be noted that their union was based upon their identical belief in the need and possibility of restoring the New Testament Church. By contrast, Churches of Christ have been traditionally opposed creeds, confessions and catechisms. Part 5. Believers' Baptism Following the pattern of the New Testament, wherein we see - the gospel preached and responded to by faith with repentance and invariably believers were baptised, often without delay.
One example of many is in Acts 2. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Only people who can make their own confession of faith are baptised. The means of baptism is by immersion. Here at Epping Church of Christ all elders and pastors are required to be baptised by immersion, but as we do not deem it necessary for salvation, the issue of membership boils down to - Are you a Christian and do you want to partner with us in the mission and ministry of Christ in and through our church?
Baptism does not have to occur in a church. What can stand in the way of my being baptized? Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. No one was baptised in a church building in the New Testament. All our pastors and elders would be delighted to chat with you about it.
I would strongly encourage you to consider being baptised as a believer if you are a follower of Christ. Weekly Communion Once again the Churches of Christ seek to emulate the principle and practises of the New Testament church in their own setting.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. So we see the early church utterly devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, gathering for corporate worship, meeting in homes and praising God together.
They were joyful, glad and sincere in their fellowship and worship. At ECC there is no distinction in gender as to whom may lead this important part of the service. Some regard it as quite central to our worship service.
These are usually where our focus will be on bringing non-Christians to church so that they may hear the gospel. We use non-alcoholic grape juice so as not to cause anyone with alcohol issues to stumble. Our flat un-yeasted bread is thought to be very similar to that of New Testament times.
We offer rice crackers for those with gluten allergy and black currant cordial for any with grape allergy. All served in individual cups for the reasons of hygiene. Biblical Name In an endeavour to break down denominational barriers to inter-church fellowship and the veneration of saints in church titles, our founders looked to the scriptures to see how Paul addressed his letters and how he refers to churches.
We find such phrases like. Gal Romans So we see the words Church , Christ and a l ocation as common. Note we are not The Epping Church of Christ, because we believe that Christ has many churches in Epping of which we are but one, and whose members are indeed our brothers and sisters.
We are believers only, not the only believers. A number of churches in recent times are moving away from this tradition and using names that describe their mission such as:- Restore, Discovery, Thrive, One to One, Lifegate, New Day. Slogans such as 'Christians only - but not the only Christians' and 'Biblical names for Biblical people' captured this emphasis.
Congregations are independent, locally governed and self-determining. Each one operates as its own entity but is in fellowship with likeminded churches.
Churches define their own direction and call pastors of their choosing. Churches of Christ are not a denomination. Each congregation sees itself as part of a larger Movement and their relationship to one another is one of fellowship. Our Freshhope Office at Rhodes seeks to serve the Movement by doing things that the local church cannot.
I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. Our mission is to do these three things, expressed as Bringing the light of Christ into communities. He calls us to work together as one body in serving others, and to see this not just as something we do, but as a way of life. Flowing from this understanding of who we are, and what we stand for as an organisation, is a commitment to these core Values:.
Churches of Christ in Queensland Care services Over services in more than communities. Connect with us Like us on Facebook to keep up-to-date. About us Serving Australians for over years. Who we are We are Churches of Christ Careers Imagine what you can do Services One of the largest, most diverse not-for-profit organisations in Australia Volunteering Imagine working for the love of it.
Meet our leadership Churches of Christ in Queensland is led by our Council, Board and leadership team Give Donate today to help restore faith and dignity Financial services Investments with heart New developments We are developing state of the art seniors living campuses in four locations. Safe people, places and programs Eldership and Church Governance. Chaplaincy Regional engagement partners Find a church. Who we are. Our identity Historical foundations Foundational principles Our mission Values and culture.
Who we are We exist to bring the light of Christ into communities; this is our mission. Our identity We are Churches of Christ. Historical foundations As we read in the Acts of the Apostles, the Christian church was called into existence in AD Foundational principles While Churches of Christ in Queensland does not have a set creed or written statement of faith, the following principles have been foundational to the movement since the beginnings.
Our strategic priorities Build the Kingdom of God Lead in serving the community Innovate and improve Build our culture Develop our people Provide the right support Manage well. Flowing from this understanding of who we are, and what we stand for as an organisation, is a commitment to these core Values: Unconditional Love We accept and reach out to people whatever their circumstances. That puts man over Scripture instead of Scripture over man.
But the church of Christ is not unique in defending the Bible or in trying to follow it. Many churches have high regard for Scripture and defend inspiration, creation, and miracles, while opposing evolution, humanism, and modernism.
Jesus said that love would be the distinguishing characteristic of true disciples John — A church that is harsh, caustic, negligent, and unmerciful loses the spirit of the one whose body it claims to be 1 Peter ; John — Churches of Christ take love seriously. Possibly no subject is preached more often, but it is more than just a message. Churches operate homes for orphans, abused children, and seniors. Members sit with families in surgery waiting rooms. Youth groups frequently take to the streets to paint houses, clean up unsightly areas, and give food and clothes to the poor.
Elders send relief money to congregations in disaster areas to distribute among the displaced and suffering. Some load trucks and drive hundreds of miles to pass out street by street bottled water, packaged food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Others go to foreign lands to help with medical needs, farming techniques, well-digging, and literacy. Is this unique?
It would be untrue to say churches of Christ alone have a spirit of compassion. Many churches, including Catholics, Baptists, and Methodists, do amazing things in their communities and make a lasting difference around the world. God desires unity of fellowship one body based on the standard of the gospel one faith. In matters of faith, strive for unity; in opinions, grant liberty; and in all things, practice love. Let us have no creed but Christ; follow no Book but the Bible; desire no home but heaven.
If a creed says less, it does not say enough; if more, too much; if the same, it is unnecessary. If all speak only where Scripture speaks and are silent where it is silent, unity will inevitably follow. Everything we believe and practice needs a book, chapter, and verse Colossians Is the church of Christ unique in calling for one body based on one faith?
Not entirely. Other churches have broken sectarian ties to pursue undenominational Christianity. Most groups serve communion infrequently. For instance, Lifeway surveyed 1, Southern Baptist pastors and found that.
Many mainline churches would have similar practices. The Roman Catholic Church requires taking the Eucharist bread only once a year, but it does offer mass daily. Bible scholars agree that the early church had weekly communion:. Since all churches so far as I know use 1 Corinthians as authority to take a weekly collection, why not interpret the same language the same way and have weekly communion?
Jesus left the supper as a memorial of His death. It connects His first and second comings with weekly markers of His sacrifice. If a serviceman visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and found no soldier guarding it, would he take it as an affront? We might wonder how Jesus feels when Sunday after Sunday passes with no memorial feast.
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