It Is Not a Denomination

The church of Christ is not a denomination founded by man nor a part of any religious organization founded by man.  It originated in Heaven in the mind of God and was set up on earth in the city of Jerusalem on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lord (Ephesians 3:8-11; Acts 2).  Instead of working with denominations, members of the church of Christ plead all believers in Jesus Christ heed His prayer for unity and become one in His blood-bought body, the church (John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:4-6; Acts 20:28).

Christ Is Its Foundation

The foundation of the church of Christ is Jesus Christ himself (1 Corinthians 3:11).  A building is only as strong as its foundation.  The same is true of a church.  If a church is built upon a man or a human creed, it will fall.  Only Jesus Christ has a right to build a church for He alone is "the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:13-19).

The Bible Is Its Only Creed

The belief or creed of the church of Christ is based upon the great truth that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).  Just before Jesus returned to Heaven, He commanded His apostles to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20).  Apostles and evangelist of the first century, under the direction of the Holy Ghost, wrote the teachings of Jesus.  This we have in the New Testament.  We have no other law, guide, or standard of authority.  This is truly a creed that needs no revision.  It is perfectly suited to the changing conditions of man in all countries, cultures, and climates of the world in all the centuries until Jesus comes again! (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

The church is a kingdom over which Christ rules as King (1 Timothy 6:15; John 18:37; John 19:19).  Christians are citizens in this kingdom (Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 1:9).  The world is the territory of this kingdom (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).  The new birth is the way we enter this kingdom.

One Head / One King - Christ

The church is the body of Christ and Christ is its only head (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:4).  He has all authority (Matthew 28:18; Colossians 1:18).  He has never given this authority to anyone else.  Because Christ is the head, we take our instructions from Him.  Because He is King, we must obey Him (Ephesians 5:24).

The Organization of the Local Church

The church has no earthly headquarters.  The headquarters of Christ's church is in heaven.  Each congregation of the Lord's church is independent and self-ruling.  There is no pope, council, conferences, or group of people controlling all the congregations of the Lord's church.

The Bible teaches that sin is a transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4).  All people who know the difference between right and wrong have sinned (Romans 3:23).  Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1,2).  The punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23).  This is "the second death" which is "the lake of fire" (Revelation 21:8).

God loves us.  He does not want us to be punished for our sins.  Therefore, He has provided a way for us to be forgiven (John 3:16).  God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins (1 John 4:10).  Jesus suffered the punishment which we should have received for our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6).  He did not die for His own sins, for He had none (2 Corinthians 5:21).  He suffered for our sins on the cross so that we can be forgiven (Romans 5:6-8; 1 Peter 2:24).

Jesus said, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23,24).

Two things are required of worshippers if our devotions are to be acceptable to God:

1. We must worship in spirit.  That is, our hearts must be right.  We must be right in life.  We must have the correct attitude.  We must be thinking of what we are doing (Isaiah 1:11-20; Proverbs 28:9; Matthew 15:8).

2. We must worship God in truth.  To worship God in truth means that we will worship God according to the truth.  God's Word is truth (John 17:17).  Therefore, for our devotions to be acceptable to God, they must be offered in accordance with His Word.

The New Testament gives the acts of worship in which Christians are to engage.  The acts of worship mentioned in the Old Testament such as dancing, instrumental music, animal sacrifices, special singers, and the burning of incense, were commanded only of the nation of Israel.  The Old Testament as a binding law for God's people ended at the cross (Colossians 2:13,14).  Christians must learn from the New Testament, the law of Christ for all people today, how God wants to be worshipped today.  The acts of worship required by God are plainly set forth in the New Testament.