Church Of Jesus Christ
What are the beliefs of the church of Jesus Christ?
The “Articles of Faith,” which provide a summary of the church’s fundamental doctrines as they existed in 1842, list four main principles: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the forgiveness of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Is salvation a belief of the Church of Christ?
The following steps are commonly taught by churches of Christ as part of the process of salvation: Romans 10:14–17 states that one must hear and receive correct instruction. Hebrews 11:6 and Mark 16:16 both state that one must have faith or believe. Repenting is turning from one’s former way of life and choosing God’s ways (Acts 17:30).
What distinguishes LDS from Christianity?
Regarding salvation, Mormon religion diverges from traditional Christian belief. Protestant Christians oppose the LDS’s belief in salvation by good deeds because they hold to the “Faith Alone” doctrine of salvation. But Mormons believe they are misunderstood.
The Church: What Is It?
You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, said Simon Peter. “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah!” Jesus said in response. My Father in heaven, not flesh and blood, has revealed this to you. And I tell you, you are Peter, and I will build my church on this rock, and the gates of hell will not be able to stop it (Matthew 16:16–18).
Peter is regarded as the first Pope according to some Christian faiths, including the Catholic Church, who understand this scripture to signify that he is the rock upon which the church was established. However, Protestants and other Christian faiths have varied interpretations of this text.
Although many people think Jesus made a note of Peter’s name here since it means “rock,” Christ did not grant him supremacy. Jesus was actually making reference to Peter’s proclamation that “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Like Peter, everyone who acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord is a member of the church since this confession of faith is the cornerstone upon which the church is erected.
New Testament definition of the church
The New Testament uses the word “church” more than 99 times. It is derived from the Greek word ekklesia, which means “an assembly” and “to call out” or “the called out ones” and is composed of two words. A group of Christians known as the New Testament church is one that God has called forth from the world to dwell as his people under the leadership of Jesus Christ:
For the sake of the church, God has subordinated everything to Christ and made him supreme over everything. And the church is his body; Christ, who fills everything with himself, makes it full and complete. Ephesians 1:22-23.
The Holy Spirit’s work on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 marked the beginning of the formation of this community of believers, often known as “the body of Christ,” and it will last until the day of the church’s rapture.
By putting their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a person can join the church.
The Local Church versus the Universal Church
A congregation or local assembly of Christians that physically gathers for worship, fellowship, instruction, prayer, and spiritual support is known as the local church (Hebrews 10:25). By sharing a meal together (Holy Communion), praying for one another, teaching and making disciples, strengthening and encouraging one another, and breaking bread together, we can live in contact with other Christians at the local church level. ALSO READ ON7 Church of Sardis in the Bible
Every believer is a part of the universal church at the same time. Every single person who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, including members of every local church body on earth, is a part of the universal church.
Jews, Gentiles, slaves, and free people alike were all baptized by the same Spirit to create one body, and we were all given the same Spirit to drink. (1 Corinthians 12:13).
The Church Is God’s People.
The greatest definition of the church came from Canon Ernest Southcott, who started the home church movement in England.
The time when God’s people leave the church and enter the world as the church empowered by the sermon and the sacraments the holiest point of the church service. We are the church; we don’t go to church.
Therefore, the church is not a location. The location, the designation, and the structure are not the problem. The church is made up of all of God’s people who have placed their faith in Jesus.
Why The Church Exists
The church serves three distinct purposes. The objective of the church’s gatherings is to advance each member’s spiritual development (Ephesians 4:13). The church reaches out (scatters) to share Christ’s love and the good news with people who are not Christians (Matthew 28:18-20). To go into the world and create disciples is part of the Great Commission. Therefore, the church’s mission is to cater to both believers and non-believers.
The church is significant because it is the main means by which God accomplishes his goals on earth, both globally and locally. The church is Christ’s body, his hands, feet, mouth, and arms extending out to the world:Now each of you is a part of the body of Christ, which is you(1 Corinthians 12:27).
The church is made up of members of God’s kingdom. The church is Christ’s bride.
Husbands, you should love your wives in the same way that Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, sanctifying her by the washing of water by the word. He did this in order to present the church to himself in perfect condition, free from any flaws whatsoever, holy, and blameless. (Ephesians 5:25–27).
The main goal of the church is to love, worship, and spread awareness of God through the person of Jesus Christ.
Things to Know About the History and Beliefs of Jesus Christ Churches
- The Restoration Movement Gave Rise To The Churches Of Jesus Christ.
The fusion of numerous distinct contingents to return to apostolic Christianity marked the beginning of the American Restoration Movement in the 19th century. Two were extremely important to the development of the movement.
The initial group, led by Barton W. Stone, left Cane Ridge, Kentucky, and identified only as “Christians.” The second was led by Thomas Campbell and his son, Alexander Campbell, and began in western Pennsylvania. The phrase “Disciples of Christ” became their name. Both organizations believed that creeds divided Christianity and sought to unify the entire Christian church behind the teaching found in the New Testament.
Despite their differences, the two movements shared many important concerns. Both believed that apostolic Christianity could be used as a foundation for Christian unity and regarded the revival of the early church as a road to Christian freedom, and both thought that through adopting apostolic Christianity as a foundation, Christian unity could be achieved.
Many in the two movements came together as a result of their shared commitment to rebuilding the early church and uniting Christians. However, the Restoration Movement split up into many organizations around the beginning of the 20th century, primarily the “Church of Christ,” “Christian Church,” and “Disciples of Christ.”
People who belong to the Church of Christ do not view themselves as a brand-new church that started out in the early 19th century, despite being influenced by the Restoration Movement. Instead, the entire movement is intended to serve as a modern representation of the church that was first founded on Pentecost in the year 30 A.D. Their conviction is supported by the revival of Christ’s first century church.
- The Founders Held That Only The Bible Should Be Followed.
As the only authoritative source for doctrine, churches of Christ aim to adhere to its teachings (known abroad as sola scriptura). Except where the written context expressly states otherwise, churches of Christ generally accept the Bible as historically reliable and truthful.
Because congregations are not governed by a denominational authority, there is substantial latitude from congregation to congregation in determining what is biblically permissible in terms of church practices, worship, and tradition.
The belief that the Bible is sufficiently clear and straightforward to make its meaning obvious to any true believer informs their approach to the text. This is related to the idea that the Bible provides a clear “blueprint” or “constitution” for the church.
- These Autonomous Churches Are Known As Churches Of Christ.
The churches of Christ are autonomous, emulating the organizational structure outlined in the New Testament. The fundamental ties that bind them together are their shared belief in the Bible and obedience to its precepts. There is no central church headquarters and no authority above the local congregations’ elders. Congregations labor together on purpose to support elderly people and orphans, spread the gospel to unreached people groups, and carry out other relevant tasks.
- Over 15,000 Different Churches Of Christ Exist.
There are already more than 15,000 distinct churches of Christ, according to reputable estimates. The total fellowship of the churches of Christ is currently 2,000,000, according to the “Christian Herald,” a common theological periodical that gives statistics about all the churches. More than 7,000 guys preach in public. Although there are churches in all fifty states as well as more than 80 other countries, the church has the most members in the southern states of the United States, particularly in Tennessee and Texas.
- A Number of Elders Oversee Christ-centered Churches.
Every congregation that has been around long enough to get well organized has a council of elders or pastors who act as the supreme governing body. The local congregations select these persons based on the standards outlined in the scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-8). Ministers, teachers, and evangelists or missionaries work under the elders. The authority of the following is neither comparable to or greater than that of the elders. The New Testament describes the elders as managers or watchmen who carry out Christ’s orders.
- The Churches Of Christ Hold To The Idea Of Salvation By Works.
Christians’ churches frequently preach that the following deeds make up the salvation process:
One must receive sound instruction and hear (Romans 10:14–17);
According to Mark 16:16 and Hebrews 11:6, one must have faith.
One must turn from their former way of life and choose God’s ways, which is known as repentance (Acts 17:30);
The assertion that Jesus is God’s son must be confessed (Acts 8:36–37);
Acts 2:38 states that one must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ;
Living a Christian life faithfully is necessary (1 Peter 2:9).
- Christ’s Churches Solely Do Immersion Baptisms.
The word “baptize,” which literally means “to dip, to immerse, to plunge,” is derived from the Greek word “baptizo,” according to the Church of Christ’s Internet Ministries. Immersion is done in addition to the word’s accurate definition because it was the custom of the church throughout the apostolic period. Additionally, only immersion accords to the apostle Paul’s description of baptism in Romans 6:3-5, where he compares it to a burial and resurrection.
- The Only Music Played During Worship is a Cappella Singing.
Acapella singing is the sole music used in worship as a result of the church’s distinctive appeal—a return to New Testament faith and practice. This singing is similar to the music played in the apostolic church and for many years afterward, but without the use of inanimate musical instruments (Ephesians 5:19). According to popular belief, there is no legal authority for participating in acts of worship that are not recorded in the New Testament. The use of instrumental music, candles, incense, and other similar objects are all forbidden according to this doctrine.
- Christ-centered Churches Have a Unique Appeal.
The Churches of Christ make a separate case for spiritual harmony that is grounded in Scripture. They consider the Bible to be the sole tenable basis for Christian unity in a divided religious world. Their argument is to bring all followers of Christ together on a religious level by restoring New Testament Christianity in accordance with its teachings.
- The Majority Of Church Of Jesus Christ Members Reside Outside Of The United States.
Little more than half of the Churches of Christ’s membership globally are in America. The Churches of Christ have more than 1,000,000 adherents in Africa, almost 1,000,000 in India, and 50,000 in Central and South America. Over 3,000,000 people are members globally, with about 1,300,000 in the United States.