Church of Christ, Kennedy Heights
Our church is a place where Jesus transforms families, one person at a time.
We enthusiastically welcome you to a growing, Bible believing, and Bible teaching congregation. May God Bless you with understanding, wisdom, & spiritual blessings (James 1:5, Eph.1:18). If you have questions, feel free to ask & we will give you a Bible answer. We cordially invite you to visit again and look forward to serving you!
—Church of Christ Kennedy Heights Family
Historical
background of
the Restoration
Movement
How many
churches of
Christ are
there?
How are the
churches
organizationally
connected?
How are the
churches of
Christ governed?
What does the
church of Christ
believe about
the Bible?
Do members of
the churches of
Christ believe
in virgin birth?
Does the church
of Christ
believe in
predestination?
Why does the
church of Christ
baptize only by
immersion?
Do ministers of
the church hear
confession?
Are prayers
addressed to the
saints?
How often is the
Lord's supper
eaten?
What kind of
music is used in
the worship?
Does the church
of Christ
believe in
heaven and hell?
Does the church
of Christ
believe in
purgatory?
By what means
does the church
secure financial
support?
Who are
the churches of Christ
and what do they believe in?
By: Batsell Barrett Baxter
What is the
distinctive plea of the church of Christ?
It is primarily a
plea for religious unity based upon the Bible. In a divided
religious world it is believed that the Bible is the only
possible common denominator upon which most, if not all, of the
God-fearing people of the land can unite. This is an appeal to
go back to the Bible. It is a plea to speak where the Bible
speak and to remain silent where the Bible is silent in all
matters that pertain to religion. It further emphasizes that in
everything religious there must be a "Thus saith the Lord" for
all that is done. The objective is religious unity of all
believers in Christ. The basis is the New Testament. The method
is the restoration of New Testament Christianity.
The Historical background of the
Restoration Movement
One of the earliest
advocates of the return to New Testament Christianity, as a
means of achieving unity of all believers in Christ, was James
O'Kelly of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1793 he withdrew
from the Baltimore conference of his church and called upon
others to join him in taking the Bible as the only creed. His
influence was largely felt in Virginia and North Carolina where
history records that some seven thousand communicants followed
his leadership toward a return to primitive New Testament
Christianity.
In 1802 a similar
movement among the Baptists in New England was led by Abner
Jones and Elias Smith. They were concerned about "denominational
names and creeds" and decided to wear only the name Christian,
taking Bible as their only guide. In 1804, in the western
frontier state of Kentucky, Barton W. Stone and several other
Presbyterian preachers took similar action declaring that they
would take the Bible as the "only sure guide to heaven." Thomas
Campbell, and his illustrious son, Alexander Campbell, took
similar steps in the year 1809 in what is now the state of West
Virginia. They contended that nothing should be bound upon
Christians as a matter of doctrine which is not as old as the
New Testament. Although these four movements were completely
independent in their beginnings eventually they became one
strong restoration movement because of their common purpose and
plea. These men did not advocate the starting of a new church,
but rather a return to Christ's church as described in the
Bible.
Members of the
church of Christ do not conceive of themselves as a new church
started near the beginning of the 19th century. Rather, the
whole movement is designed to reproduce in contemporary times
the church originally established on Pentecost, A.D. 30. The
strength of the appeal lies in the restoration of Christ's
original church.
How many churches of Christ are there?
The most recent
dependable estimate lists more than 15,000 individual churches
of Christ. The "Christian Herald," a general religious
publication which presents statistics concerning all the
churches, estimates that the total membership of the churches of
Christ is now 2,000,000. There are more than 7000 men who preach
publicly. Membership of the church is heaviest in the southern
states of the United States, particularly Tennessee and Texas,
though congregations exist in each of the fifty states and in
more than eighty foreign countries. Missionary expansion has
been most extensive since the second World War in Europe, Asia
and Africa. More than 450 full time workers are supported in
foreign countries. The churches of Christ now have five times as
many members as were reported in the U.S. Religious Census of
1936.
How are the churches organizationally
connected?
Following the plan
of organization found in the New Testament, churches of Christ
are autonomous. Their common faith in the Bible and adherence to
its teachings are the chief ties which bind them together. There
is no central headquarters of the church, and no organization
superior to the elders of each local congregation. Congregations
do cooperate voluntarily in supporting the orphans and the aged,
in preaching the gospel in new fields, and in other similar
works.
Members of the
church of Christ conduct forty colleges and secondary schools,
as well as seventy-five orphanages and homes for the aged. There
are approximately 40 magazines and other periodicals published
by individual members of the church. A nationwide radio and
television program, known as "The Herald of Truth" is sponsored
by the Highland Avenue church in Abilene, Texas. Much of its
annual budget of $1,200,000 is contributed on a free-will basis
by other churches of Christ. The radio program is currently
heard on more than 800 radio stations, while the television
program is now appearing on more than 150 stations. Another
extensive radio effort known as "World Radio" owns a network of
28 stations in Brazil alone, and is operating effectively in the
United States and a number of other foreign countries, and is
being produced in 14 languages. An extensive advertising program
in leading national magazines began in November 1955.
There are no
conventions, annual meetings, or official publications. The "tie
that binds" is a common loyalty to the principles of the
restoration of New Testament Christianity.
How are the churches of Christ governed?
In each
congregation, which has existed long enough to become fully
organized, there is a plurality of elders or presbyters who
serve as the governing body. These men are selected by the local
congregations on the basis of qualifications set down in the
scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-8). Serving under the elders are
deacons, teachers, and evangelists or ministers. The latter do
not have the authority equal to or superior to the elders. The
elders are shepherds or overseers who serve under the headship
of Christ according to the New Testament, which is a kind of
constitution. There is no earthly authority superior to the
elders of the local church.
What does the church of Christ believe
about the Bible?
The original
autographs of the sixty six books which make up the Bible are
considered to have been divinely inspired, by which it is meant
that they are infallible and authoritative. Reference to the
scriptures is made in settling every religious question. A
pronouncement from the scripture is considered the final word.
The basic textbook of the church and the basis for all preaching
is the Bible.
Do members of the churches of Christ
believe in the virgin birth?
Yes. 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 perfect divinity and perfect manhood.
Does the church of Christ believe
in predestination?
Only in the sense
that God predestines the righteous to be eternally saved and the
unrighteous to be eternally lost. The statement of the apostle
Peter, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
persons, but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh
righteousness is acceptable unto him" (Acts 10:34-35.) is taken
as an evidence that God did not predestine individuals to be
eternally saved or lost, but that each man determines his own
destiny.
Why does the church of Christ baptize
only by immersion?
The word baptize
comes from the Greek word "baptizo" and literally means, "to
dip, to immerse, to plunge." In addition to the literal meaning
of the word, immersion is practiced because it was the practice
of the church in apostolic times. Still further, only immersion
conforms to the description of baptisms as given by the apostle
Paul in Romans 6:3-5 where he speaks of it as a burial and
resurrection.
No. Only those who
have reached the "age of accountability" are accepted for
baptisms. It is pointed out that the examples given in the New
Testament are always of those who have heard the gospel preached
and have believed it. Faith must always precede baptism, so only
those old enough to understand and believe the gospel are
considered fit subjects for baptism.
Do ministers of the church hear
confession?
No. Ministers or
evangelists of the church have no special prerogatives. They do
not wear the title of Reverend or Father, but are addressed
simply by the term Brother as are all other men of the church.
Along with elders and others they do counsel and advise those
seeking help.
Are prayers addressed to the saints?
No. God the Father
is considered the only one to whom the prayers may be addressed.
It is further understood that Christ stands in a mediatorial
position between God and man (Hebrews 7:25). All prayers are
therefore offered through Christ, or in the name of Christ (John
16:23-26).
How often is the Lord's supper eaten?
It is expected that
every member of the church will assemble for worship on each
Lord's day. A central part of the worship is the eating of the
Lord's supper (Acts 20:7). Unless providentially hindered, each
member considers this weekly appointment as binding. In many
instances, as in the case of illness, the Lord's supper is
carried to those who are hindered from attending the worship.
What kind of music is used in the worship?
As a result of the
distinctive plea of the church - a return to New Testament Faith
and practice - acappella singing is the only music used in the
worship. This singing, unaccompanied by mechanical instruments
of music, conforms to the music used in the apostolic church and
for several centuries thereafter (Ephesians 5:19). It is felt
that there is no authority for engaging in acts of worship not
found in the New Testament. This principle eliminates the use of
instrumental music, along with the use of candles, incense, and
other similar elements.
Does the church of Christ believe in
heaven and hell?
Yes. The statement
of Christ in Matthew 25, and elsewhere, are taken at face value.
It is believed that after death each man must come before God in
judgment and that he will be judged according to the deeds done
while he lived (Hebrews 9:27). After judgment is pronounced he
will spend eternity either in heaven or hell.
Does the church of Christ believe in
purgatory?
No. The absence of
any reference in the scriptures to the temporary place of
punishment from which the soul will eventually be released into
heaven prevents the acceptance of the doctrine of purgatory.
By what means does the church secure
financial support?
Each first day of
the week the members of the church "lay by in store as they have
been prospered" (1 Corinthians 16:2). 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 engaged
in. A total if approximately $200,000,000 is given on this basis
each year.
Does the church of Christ have a creed?
No. At least, there
is no creed in the usual sense of the word. The belief of the
church is stated fully and completely in the Bible. There is no
other manual or discipline to which the members of the church of
Christ give their allegiance. The Bible is considered as the
only infallible guide to heaven.
How does one become a member of the church
of Christ?
In the salvation of
man's soul there are 2 necessary parts: God's part and man's
part. God's part is the big part, "For by grace you have been
saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift
if God; not of works, that no man should glory" (Ephesians
2:8-9). The love which God felt for man led him to send Christ
into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of Jesus,
the sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of the gospel to
men constitute God's part in salvation.
Though God's part
is the big part, man's part is also necessary if man is to reach
heaven. Man must comply with the conditions of pardon which the
Lord has announced. Man's part can clearly set forth in the
following steps:
Hear the Gospel
"How shall they
call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear
without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).
Believe
"And without faith
it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him; for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder
of them that seek after him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Repent of past sins
"The times of
ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men
that they should all everywhere repent" (Acts 17:30).
Confess Jesus as Lord
"Behold here is
water; What doth hinder me to be baptized ? And Philip said, if
thou believeth with all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered
and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts
8:36-37).
Be baptized for the remission of sins
"And Peter said
unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the
name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
Live a Christian life
"Ye are an elect
race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own
possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter
2:9).
OPEN INVITATION
Now that you are
aware of a church in the 20th century which is built according
to the blue prints of Christ's original church, why not become a
member of it? In becoming a member of it, you will be called
upon to do nothing which you cannot read in the New Testament.
You will then live and worship just as the apostle-guided
Christians of the first century did.
If you need help in locating a congregation of the churches of Christ nearest to you, please e-mail us at mediamin@khcofc.org, and we will be more than happy to help you find one. No one from the church will call without your consent. Please come by and visit us soon. We care about you and your family.
Designed by: J.E. Kent II | email:
mediamin@khcofc.org
Last updated:
03/29/2010