“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (1 Thess.  5:21)”

1.   The body of Christ, His universal church is of Biblical Origin.

It began in Jerusalem Palestine on the Day of Pentecost following the death burial, resurrection, and coronation of Christ (Luke 24:45-49; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 2:1-47).

2.  It was founded by Christ Himself (Matthew 16:13-19; Psalms 127:1; Matthew 15:13).

3.  It wears and Honors the Name of Christ. We accept every scriptural designation found in the Bible for this one relationship, the bride of Christ. (Ephesians 5:22-33; Romans 16:16; Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 20:28).

4.  Christ is our only creed.  The Bible is our only rule of faith and practice, especially Christ’s last will and testament (2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 12:48; Acts 3:22-23; Matthew 24:35; Revelation 22:18-19; Galatians 1:6-11).

5.  It is scriptural in organization: Note: The Universal body of Christ has no earthly organization. It is made up of individual Christians and not all of the local congregations.

 Local congregations are ruled by a group of elders who are also referred to as “pastors, bishops, presbyters, shepherds, and overseers” in  New Testament language. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-16; Hebrews 13:7.17). Elders are assisted by deacons to whom they delegate various functions (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-10). As seen in the cited passages these men’s family members also must be what they should be for these men to serve in this capacity.

There are no synods, hierarchies, district superintendents, Popes, etc. known to the New Testament. There is no such thing  as  a “sponsoring eldership:” Each congregation under its own eldership answers directly to Christ (1 Peter 5:1-7; Revelation 2:5). The autonomy of each local church must be respected to please Christ.

6.  Local churches worship according to the New Testament pattern as set when inspired men lead them:  On the first day of the week, we meet to partake of the Lord’s supper, sing, pray, study, and contribute a free will offering as the New Testament commands (Acts 20:6-7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; Luke 18:1).

We reject methods of attempted worship that are not prescribed in the New Testament such as mechanical instruments of music, speaking in tongues, transubstantiation, consubstantiation, the mass, etc. since all are inventions of uninspired men. Things like tongue speaking was unique to first century assemblies before the New Testament scriptures were completed (1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Hebrews 2:1-3). Too, for folks to attempt to worship who aren’t in the right relationship with God through Christ is impossible (Ephesians 2:13-17; 3:21). For unfaithful ungodly unrepentant members to attempt to worship is also unacceptable (Isaiah 59:1-2; 66:1-6; 1 Peter 3:12; John 9:31). To engage in unauthorized activities in worship renders worship vain (Matthew 15:8-9; Colossians 2:8).

7.  Gospel preachers in faithful churches of Christ refuse to wear religious titles which tend to exalt one above the other and there is no clergy laity system known to New Testament Christianity (Matthew 20:20-27; Matthew 23:1-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Psalm 111:9-10).

8.  The New Testament teaches that water baptism is the final act of the new birth of the water and of the Spirit, and that it is a burial of a penitent believer and a resurrection to a new life in Christ. Faithful local churches of Christ honor  these instructions. Baptism not only puts one “in Christ” but also into the universal body of the redeemed, the family of God. One is not baptized into the local congregation. (Acts 2:22-38,40-41, 47; Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:26-39; 10:47-48; 1 Peter 3:20-22; Titus 3:5; Acts 22:16). This is the only baptism that is acceptable to Christ (Ephesians 4:5; Acts 19:1-7).

9.  Faithful local churches urge the membership to live godly lives, upholding the Biblical standard for morals. If and when members disregard the Biblical standard they become subject to disciplinary action beginning with pointed and plain teaching and ultimately leading to being expelled from among the local membership if they refuse to repent and give up ungodly immoral lifestyles. (Titus 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6).

10.  We plead for complete obedience to Christ and seek peace and unity based on the Apostle’s teaching as Christ prayed we should and as the apostles admonished we must to please Christ (John 17:17-; 20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10-12; 3:1-6).

Religious error flourishes where people fail to investigate, study, and think. It was noble in God’s sight when the Bereans “..received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).  It is still noble to demand proof that your teaching is what may be proven from the New Testament (1 John 3:1-2; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Jude 3).

In order to please Christ, we must obey Him--even if it means changing beliefs and practices which we may have engaged in for years (Hebrews 5:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 10:32-30; Luke 14:23-34). Truth and humility do not fear investigation--they welcome it (Isaiah 1:18; 1 Thess. 5:21).

If you are weary concerning denominational divisions and doctrines of uninspired men which are constantly changing with the times, we believe you will be happy to learn of the plea made by faithful Christians and by local churches of Christ to lay aside all human elements in religion such as creeds and such and just follow the word of Christ in everything (Colossians 3:17; Acts 3:22-23; Matthew 17:1-5; John 12:48; 2 John 9-11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). In other words, come with us back to the Bible. Be as broad as it allows and as narrow as it demands.

Let us call Bible things by Bible names.
Let us do Bible things in Bible ways.
Let us seek to obey Christ in all things.
Let us be simple New Testament Christians-
nothing more and nothing less and nothing else.

We invite you to visit the Pekin Church of Christ which meets at 1451 Valle Vista Boulevard in Pekin, Illinois. Call for more information at 1 (309) 347-3582 or call me, Kenneth E. Thomas at 1 (309) 347-5645. We would like to set up a time for a FREE home Bible study class with you at a time and place mutually agreeable.