Worldwide, there are some 20,000 congregations of churches of Christ with a total of 2.5 to 3 million individual members. There are small congregations, consisting of just a few members, and large ones made up of several thousand members. The greatest concentration in numerical strength of churches of Christ is in the southern United States. For instance, there are about 40,000 members in some 135 congregations in Nashville, Tennessee, and approximately 36,000 members in 69 congregations in Dallas, Texas. In such states as Kentucky, and others, there is a church of Christ in practically every town, no matter how large or small. While the number of congregations and members is not so numerous in other places, there are churches of Christ in every state in the United States and in 109 other countries.

Being as members of churches of Christ use the Bible as their only guide, they are not interested in man-made creeds, but simply in the New Testament pattern. They do not conceive themselves as being a separate religion or denomination, but simply as members of the church which Jesus established and for which He died. That, incidentally, is why they wear His name. The term "church of Christ" is not used as a denomination, but rather as a descriptive term indicating that the church belongs to Christ. They recognize their own personal shortcomings and weaknesses, and this is all the more reason for wanting to carefully follow the all sufficient and perfect plan God has for the church.

Since God has vested "all authority" in Christ (Matthew 28:18), and since He serves as God's spokesman today (Hebrews 1:1,2), only Christ has the authority to say what the church is and what it should teach.

Since only the New Testament sets forth Christ's instructions to His disciples, it is fundamental with members of churches of Christ that teaching the New Testament without modification is the only way to lead men and women to become Christians.

Scripture teaches that religious division is bad. Jesus' prayer in John 17:20,21 emphasized unity based on the apostles' word. Later, the apostle Paul begged those who were divided to unite in Christ (I Corinthians 1)

Members of the churches of Christ believe the only way to achieve unity is to return to the Bible. Unity involves attitudes, beliefs and practices (Ephesians 4). Compromise cannot bring unity. No person, or group of persons, has the right to draw up a set of rules by which everyone must abide. It is altogether proper to say, "Let's unite by just following the Bible."

Members of the churches of Christ plead for religious unity based upon the Bible. To subscribe to any creed other than the New Testament, to refuse to obey any New Testament command, or to follow any practice not sustained by the New Testament is perverting the gospel of Christ by adding to or taking away from the teachings of God. Both additions and subtractions are condemned in the Bible (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18,19).

The New Testament is the only rule of faith and practice in churches of Christ.

From the Old Testament comes the inspired record of the creation, the history of man and his need for a Savior, and the wonderful prophecies of Christ.

The Old Testament teaches much about the nature of God which does not change and wisdom literature which includes general truths applicable to all time. Christians are to recognize the Old Testament as the inspired Word of God and use it for learning, for admonition, and for comfort, but they must not, however, use it for their law (study Romans 15:4, I Cor. 10:11). The law we are to follow today consists of Jesus' commandments, the Apostles' directions, and the examples of the early Christians as they lived under the direct tutorship of the inspired apostles.

Churches of Christ have none of the trappings of modern-day organizational bureaucracy. There are no governing boards - neither district, regional, national or international - no earthly headquarters, and no man-designed organization.

Each congregation is autonomous (self-ruled) and is independent of every other congregation. The only tie which binds the many congregations together is a common allegiance to Christ and the Bible.

There are no conventions, annual meetings, or official publications. Congregations do cooperate in supporting children's homes, homes for the elderly, mission work, etc. However, such participation is strictly voluntary on the part of each congregation and no person or group issues policies or makes decision for other congregations.

Each congregation is governed locally by a plurality of elders selected from among the members. These are men who meet specific qualifications for this office given in
I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

There are also deacons in each congregation. They must meet the biblical qualifications of I Timothy 3. These men are special servants of the church serving under the leadership of the elders.

Jesus said, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). From this statement we learn three things:

1. Worship must be directed to the right object... God;
2. It must be prompted by the right spirit;
3. It must be according to truth.

To worship God according to truth is to worship Him according to His Word, because His Word is truth (John 17:17). Therefore, one must not exclude any item found in His Word, and one must not include any item not found in His Word.

We are to walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). Since faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), anything not authorized by the Bible cannot be done by faith. And whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

Therefore, according to faith in His Word, one finds that there were five items of worship observed by the first century church: singing , praying , preaching (Matthew 28:18-20), giving and eating the Lord's Supper Worship in churches of Christ center around these five items, the same as in the first century church. Even though these five items constitute worship, true worship must be accompanied by a good, honest and humble heart (Hebrews 10:22.)

If you are acquainted with churches of Christ you are probably aware that in two of these items of worship practice is different from that of most religious groups. So, permit a focus on these two differences, with stated reasons for what is done.

One of the things people most frequently notice about churches of Christ is that they sing without the use of mechanical instruments of music - a cappella singing is the only music used in their worship.

Simply stated, here is the reason: they are seeking to worship according to the instructions of the New Testament. In sharp contrast to the worship commanded in the Old Testament, the New Testament simply commands singing among Christians. Use of the mechanical instrument in Christian worship cannot be done with New Testament authority.

There are only 8 verses in the New Testament on the subject of music in worship: They are:

• "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives" (Matthew 26:30)
• "…about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…" (Acts 16:25)
• "Therefore I will praise Thee among the Gentiles, and sing to Thy name" (Romans 15:9)
• "… I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also" (I Corinthians 14:15)
• "… be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart" (Ephesians 5:18,19)
• "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16)
• " I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church I will sing praise unto Thee" (Hebrews 2:12)
• "Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise" (James 5:13)

The mechanical instrument of music is conspicuously absent in these passages. Historically, the first appearance of instrumental music in the worship of the church was not until the sixth century A.D. , and there was no general practice of it until the eighth century. Instrumental music was strongly opposed by such religious leaders as John Calvin, John Wesley and Charles Spurgeon because of its absence in the New Testament.

Another place where you may have noticed a difference between churches of Christ and other religious groups is in the Lord's Supper. This memorial supper was inaugurated by Jesus on the night of His betrayal (Matthew 26:26-28). It is observed by Christians in memory of the Lord (I Corinthians 11:24,25) and in proclamation of his death (v.26). The emblems - unleavened bread and fruit of the vine - symbolize the body and blood of Jesus. (I Corinthians 10:16)

Churches of Christ observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week. Again, their reason centers in their determination to follow the teaching of the New Testament. It says, describing the practice of the first-century church, "And upon the first day of the week…the disciples came together to break bread…"(Acts 20:7)

Some have objected that the text does not specify the first day of every week. This is true - just as the command to observe the Sabbath did not specify every Sabbath. The command was simply, "remember the Sabbath." It seems that by the same reasoning "the first day of the week" means the first day of every week.

Again, we know from such respected historians as Neander and Eusebius that Christians in those early centuries took the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.

Perhaps you are wondering, "How does one become a member of the church of Christ?" What are the terms of membership? Churches of Christ do not speak of membership in terms of some formula which must be followed for approved acceptance into the church. The New Testament gives certain steps which were taken by people in that day to become Christians. When a person became a Christian, he automatically became a member of the church.

The same is true of churches of Christ today. There is not a separate set of rules or ceremonies which one must follow to be inducted into a particular congregation. When one becomes a Christian, he at the same time becomes a member of the Lord’s church. No further steps are required for church membership.

On the first day of the church’s existence (Acts 2:47), those who repented and were baptized were added to the church. According to this verse (Acts 2:47), it was the Lord who did the adding. In seeking to follow this pattern, the church of Christ neither votes people into the church nor forces them through a required series of studies. They feel that they have no right to demand anything beyond their obedient submission to the Savior.

The conditions of pardon which are taught in the New Testament are:

1. One must hear the gospel, for "faith comes by hearing the word of God" (Romans 10:17)
2. One must believe, for "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24)
3. One must repent of past sins, for God "commands all men, everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3)
4. One must confess Jesus as Lord, for he said, "he that confesses me before men, him will I also confess before my father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10)
5. And one must be baptized for the remission of sins, for Peter said, "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins…" (Acts 2:38)

Churches of Christ have a reputation for placing much stress on the need for baptism. However, they do not emphasize baptism as a human statute or "church ordinance," but as a command of Christ. The New Testament teaches baptism as an act which is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16).

Churches of Christ do not practice infant baptism because New Testament baptism is only for sinners who turn to the Lord in belief and penitence. An infant has no sin to repent of, and cannot qualify as a believer.

The only form of baptism practiced in churches of Christ is immersion. The Greek word translated "baptize" literally means "to dip, to immerse, to plunge." The Word always points to baptism as being a burial (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12).

Baptism is extremely important because the New Testament sets forth the following purposes for it:

1. It is to enter the kingdom (John 3:5)
2. It is so that we too may live a new life (Romans 6:3,4)
3. It is to get into Christ (Galatians 3:27)
4. It is for salvation (Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21)
5. It is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
6. It is to wash away sins (Acts 22:16)
7. It is to get into the church, the "body" of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18)

Since Christ died for the sins of the whole world and the invitation to share in his saving grace is open to everyone (Acts 10:34,35; Revelation 22:17), members of the church of Christ do not believe that anyone is predestined for salvation or condemnation. The biblical concept of predestination is based upon the foreknowledge of God (Romans 8:29) and has nothing to do with the control of the human will. Some will choose to come to Christ in faith and obedience and will be saved. Others will reject His plea and be condemned (Mark 16:16). These will not be lost because they were marked for condemnation, but because that’s the path they chose.

The statement in Isaiah 7:14 is taken as a prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ. New Testament passages such as Matthew 1:20, 25, are accepted at face value as declarations of the virgin birth. Christ is accepted as the only begotten Son of God, uniting in His person divinity and manhood (John 1:14).

Ministers, or evangelists, of the church have no special prerogatives outside those that are given to any male church member. They do not wear the title of Reverend or Father, but are addressed simply by the term Brother, as are all men of the church. Along with elders and others, they do counsel and advise those seeking help. However, no church statute or ordinance requires the minister to hear confession.

We are told to pray continually (I Thessalonians 5:17) and there are many examples of the gathered believers raising their voices in prayer similar to what we find in Acts 4:24. However, the New Testament does not acknowledge praying to, or through, saints. Prayers are generally addressed to God the Father and are offered through Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17). There is only one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:5). All prayers are therefore offered through Christ, or in the name of Christ. (John 16:23-26)

Each first day of the week, members of the church contribute as taught in I Corinthians 16:2. "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by in store as they have been prospered…" The amount of any individual gift is generally known only to the one who gave it and to the Lord. This free-will offering is the only call which the church makes. NO assessments or other levies are made. No money-making activities, such as bazaars or suppers, are held.

Perhaps this posting has answered the question, "Who Are These People?" Wherever you are at this moment, it is the prayer of the body (Col. 1:18) that you will decide to accept the salvation offered by Christ - that you will offer yourself in obedient faith and become a member of His church.