Who are the people known as "Churches of Christ?" and what do they believe and practise? What is their essential witness, and what is the meaning of their separate existence? It is easy for the man outside the Baptist, or Congregational, or Methodist Churches to know something of what these stand for, because the very names convey some information--as, for instance, that a Baptist holds to some special doctrine or practice in connection with baptism. But the name "Church of Christ" is so general in its meaning that it conveys nothing distinctive.

NAME NOT USED IN AN ARROGANT MANNER.

      However, it is just in this name that one of the fundamental reasons for the existence of these churches lies. First, then, let it be quite understood that Churches of Christ do not adopt this name in any exclusive sense. They are in no sense arrogant in their use of it. They do not claim to be the only Churches of Christ and the only Christians. Nothing so absurd enters into their minds. The fact is, they have a passion for Christian unity--to see an end of factions, divisions, and rivalries in the Christian world. Denominational rivalry has always been abhorrent to these churches; so they want to drop all party names, and to be known simply as Christians and Churches of Christ.

NOT A "FANCY RELIGION."

      Who are they, then, and what do they hold? First, let me say that they do not belong to what, in the Army, we called "fancy religions." They are not "peculiar" in their religious beliefs. Members of Churches of Christ are really quite sensible people, and not religious cranks. They take their share in all the normal activities of life. They give their time and service in the public duties of municipality and State, and help in all good works. Members of Churches of Christ in this country are represented in every business and profession and their representatives sat in the Geneva and Lausanne Conferences and in the Copec Conference, along with those of other Christian churches. [2]

      Here, in Great Britain, there some are 200 churches, all with active Sunday schools. Missions are supported in Africa, India, and Siam. One weekly, one quarterly, and two monthly magazines are published, and a Theological College is established in Birmingham. In South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada there are strong churches, and in the three latter Colonies Theological Colleges are established in University centres. In the United States of America there are about one and a half million members, including some of the most prominent citizens in business, academic, and professional life.

QUITE ORTHODOX.

      Again, Churches of Christ are quite orthodox in their beliefs and practices. They have no "funny" doctrines on which they live and thrive. They are not to be confused with "Churches of Christ Scientist" or with "The Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints," with whom they have no connection at all, neither are they in any sense similar. They are not a body of people with some special "bee in their bonnet." They just stand for the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ and its application to present-day life.

CREEDS NO BINDING FORCE.

      In the first place "Churches of Christ" accept the orthodox doctrines of the Fatherhood of God, the Deity and perfect Humanity of Jesus Christ, His redeeming work for mankind, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. But they do not make ascription to these doctrines, or any other set of doctrines in the form of a creed, binding upon the consciences of men. The divisive creeds of Christendom, which have grown up during the ages, have no binding force in "Churches of Christ." Their place is taken by vital faith in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour. Such faith, according to the New Testament, is loyalty and trust, which means loving obedience. It is a very different thing from accepting theological dogmas. "Churches of Christ" provide an atmosphere of freedom in which loyalty to Jesus Christ may be developed. Let a man acknowledge, from the bottom of his heart, that "Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God," and that is sufficient for the beginning of discipleship. [3]

THE QUESTION OF BAPTISM.

      Seeing that the following of Christ is a matter of personal faith, "Churches of Christ" reject altogether infant baptism as out of harmony with the true principle of Christianity. Baptism (immersion in water) provides the means, both beautiful and symbolical, by which the penitent believer may express his loyalty to Christ and receive the assurance of pardon. He is thus united symbolically with our Lord's redeeming acts of death and resurrection. Infant baptism is a perversion of this sacred ordinance. It first appeared late in the second century, but only became widespread in the fourth, after Augustine's doctrines of original guilt and infant damnation had been promulgated--doctrines which all thinking Christians now reject, and which are alien to the thought of the New Testament.

WORSHIP CENTRED IN COMMUNION.

      "Churches of Christ" provide a centre of worship, very rich in its simplicity, by returning to the custom of the primitive Church in celebrating the Lord's Supper every Lord's Day. It is around this sacred feast that the Church's acts of worship--prayer, praise, intercession, reading the Scriptures, giving, exhorting--are made to centre. This is the chief service every Sunday, usually held in the morning. Afternoons and evenings are given up to Sunday School, teaching and preaching the Gospel. First, the Church, as the Body of Christ, gathers herself to worship, and then she goes forth with her message of salvation to the world.

DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION.

      "Churches of Christ" are democratic in their organization. All the members have a full share in the government and ample opportunity for service. Preaching and teaching are not confined to a paid ministry, although a preaching ministry of Evangelists is supported, while in the local churches there are Elders and Deacons.

      Finally, whatsoever things are true, good, noble, or honourable, members of "Churches of Christ" desire; for they believe that Christianity is a practical religion to be lived out in the world of everyday life. [4]

      The electronic version of William Robinson's Churches of Christ: Their Place in the Christian World (Birmingham, England: Berean Press, n. d.) has been produced from a copy of the pamphlet held by the Disciples of Christ Historical Society. Thanks to May Reed for providing a Xerox copy.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
373 Wilson Street
Derry, PA 15627-9770
stefanik@msn.com

Created 13 September 1999.