From Great Britain


[Page 10]
     A small company of saints regularly gathers for worship on Burns Street, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England. They attempt to publicize their plea as much as possible in the local press. The following was printed in the Ilkeston Advertiser, having been written by our good brother, Samuel Jepson, now in his 76th year. It is entitled

The One Church

     What utter bewilderment is caused by so many different religious bodies and beliefs all claiming to be "Christian." We have some sympathy therefore with those who ignore them all and with those who say, "It does not matter which church I join." But we entirely disagree with both these positions. Why? Because God has put His Word into our hands and we are sufficiently educated to read and understand all His revealed will concerning us. Taking no notice, therefore, of these conflicting religions, should we not seek to know just what the Word of God teaches, believe it, and obey it? This would lead to unity of faith and practice, to the One Church, the Body of Christ, of which the New Testament speaks.

     Do you say this is impossible? The history of how the "Churches of Christ" came into being in this country considerably over one hundred years ago, proves it not impossible. Small groups of people, quite separate and entirely unknown to each other, were diligently studying the Word of God for themselves, in various parts of the country. Presently, some of them published their findings. This brought together some of these little groups by correspondence and other means, and it was found that they had arrived practically at the same conclusions concerning many matters.

     Conferences and co-operation in the gospel of Christ then took place and soon small assemblies were formed all over the United Kingdom. These churches continued to seek Bible authority for all they taught and practiced. Some of their ablest preachers went over to America, and the same thing happened there. We believe that only in this way can we have "One Lord, one faith, one hope, and one church."


Next Article
Back to Number Index
Back to Volume Index
Main Index