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The Swartz
Creek Church of Christ first met as a congregation on February
14, 1965. Attendance that Lord's Day consisted of 115 for
Bible classes, 136 for morning worship, and 144 for evening
worship. The establishment of the congregation, fully organized
with elders and deacons, a building capable of seating 225
in the auditorium and eight classrooms, located on ten acres
in a good location, was the result of three years of planning
by the Bristol Road Church in Flint, MI. The elders of that
congregation, along with Jack Gray, their minister , conceived
and carried out the plan. Two of the Bristol Road elders,
Guy Lawrence and Joe Sandefer; three deacons, Burles Holland,
Earl Parish, and Ray Skellett, along with about sixty members
of that congregation committed to work with the church in
Swartz Creek, MI. Wayne Kilpatrick, originally of Huntsville,
Alabama, was the first preacher for the congregation.
The church
was well received in the area and began to grow almost immediately.
It was able to support itself by April 18, 1965. The original
building was soon outgrown and an addition was built. The
added space consisted of an auditorium capable of seating
500 persons, additional classrooms, and more office space.
This addition was dedicated on February 12, 1967. The church
building was paid off and able to burn the original mortgage
on November 30, 1986.
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.
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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 Pentacost, AD 30.
The strength of the appeal lies in the restoration of Christ's
original church.
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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 US Religious Census of 1936.
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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 freewill 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 evidence that God did
not predestine individuals to be eternally saved or lost,
but that each man determines his own destiny.
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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.
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Is infant baptism
practiced?
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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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 - acapella 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 freewill
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 of approximately
$200,000,000 is given on this basis each year.
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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.
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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 wellpleasing
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.
Not only is this return to New Testament Christianity a wonderful
basis upon which all believers in Christ can unite, it is
absolutely solid ground. If we do just what our Lord commanded
we know that our salvation is certain. Come with us as we
go back to the Bible, back to Christ and his church!
If you need to locate a church of Christ congregation nearest
to you, please CLICK HERE
to send me an E-mail and I will be more than glad to help
you find it. No one from the church will call without your
consent. Please come by and visit.
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