WHO WE ARE

The churches of Christ seek to restore in the present day the Christianity of the first century. We re-
cognize Christ as the only Head of the church and His New Testament as the only guide in faith and prac-
tice. Since only things are accepted that find their authority in the New Testament, there are many com-
mon religious beliefs and practices that are not found among us.
Preachers are not called “Father” in the churches of Christ, for Jesus said, “And call no man your
father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven” (Matt. 23:9). Neither do preachers in
churches of Christ call themselves “Reverend,” for we read in Psalms 110:9, “He sent redemption unto
his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” Who is man to
take a term for God’s own name and presumptuously apply it to himself?
There are no unmarried bishops in the Lord’s church because the New Testament says “A bishop...
must be...the husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2). We in churches of Christ believe that “Marriage is hon-
ourable in all, and the bed undefiled...” (Heb. 13:4). Therefore we do not forbid marriage to preachers or
to bishops.
We seek to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Therefore, mechanical instruments of
music in worship are neither seen nor heard. This is because Jesus said that we should be “Teaching them
to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...” (Matt. 28:20). Paul plainly wrote, “Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns
and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). Consider also Ephesians
5:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your
hearts to the Lord.” Did you notice that in neither of these verses (nor in any other verse in the New
Testament) are we told to play mechanical instruments of music in our worship to God? Such is simply
without authority!
We seek to do Bible things in the Bible way. Sprinkling and pouring for baptism are not found in the
churches of Christ since the Bible teaches that baptism is a burial for the remission of sins (Rom. 6:3-4;
Acts 2:38; Col. 2:12). We do not apologize for striving to do God’s will as best we are able. If others get
upset with us for doing so, we have no plans to stop or to change.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Zeal without knowledge is fanaticism.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse