Church of Christ
- One of the most well-known facts about the Church of Christ is that they do not play musical instruments in their worship services but sing all their hymns a Capella. For instance this adorable cat would not be allowed to bring his piano to a service. This particular example, I'll confess, has much less to do with any thoughts I may have on this doctrine than for my love for adorable cat pictures.
- Why no instruments you ask? Church members claim that since musical instruments weren't mentioned in the New Testament (although it may be worth pointing out that they were all over the Old Testament), God must not prefer them to be used in worship anymore. Although there are some sects that have split on this issue but most traditional Church of Christ churches still say nay.
- The tricky thing about this denomination is that it actually doesn't prefer to be called a denomination at all. It's goal is to recreate the church of the New Testament (which they claim began on Advent in 30AD) as closely as possible. They say that the church is totally modeled on Christ and it's sole authority is the Bible.
- Why no instruments you ask? Church members claim that since musical instruments weren't mentioned in the New Testament (although it may be worth pointing out that they were all over the Old Testament), God must not prefer them to be used in worship anymore. Although there are some sects that have split on this issue but most traditional Church of Christ churches still say nay.
- The tricky thing about this denomination is that it actually doesn't prefer to be called a denomination at all. It's goal is to recreate the church of the New Testament (which they claim began on Advent in 30AD) as closely as possible. They say that the church is totally modeled on Christ and it's sole authority is the Bible.
- They are governed by the Bible soley and do not have any creeds, statements of faith, or prayer books.
- Although they do see the Old Testament as divinely inspired, they do not believe we are bound under the laws contained in it anymore, due to Jesus establishing a sort of new order in the New Testament (a pretty commonly held Christian belief).
- Take communion or Lord's supper every week, most commonly using grape juice rather than wine.
- The church is governed by a body of men known as 'elders', who take care of the church's spiritual needs and 'deacons' who take care of non-spiritual needs.
- To be an Elder you gotta be married to one wife (sorry Mormons), sober, reverent, able to teach, and the father of believing children.
- To be a Deacon you must be the husband of one wife, reverent, and in control of your household. Deacons are often times Elders in training.
- As opposed to some other denominations there are no central headquarters for the Church of Christ, they are all run on a church by church basis.
- There is no formal "clergy", or difference between the pastor and general member of the church. Members simply refer to each other as brother and sister and believe everyone has a job to do in the church, none more important than the other.
- Elders are held in such high regard as spiritual leaders of the church that they sometimes preach.
- Women are expected to be submissive to men and are not allowed to seek any leadership roles or speak out in church.
- Believe that to be saved you must repent of sins, have faith, confess Jesus is the son of God, be baptized for the remission of sins (this is a big one and salvation is often considered invalid without it), and remain faithful until death. They do believe salvation can be lost.
- Most believe that if you are not a part of their church, your chances at heaven are very slim.
- Though there are, as with any denomination, varying degrees of liberalism throughout different sects, it may be worth noting that at one time some of the more traditional sects made the FBI cult watch list due to the heavy submission to elders and very strict legality. Personally I will say I have seen this denomination done very well and very badly so use your own discretion.
- Believe that to be saved you must repent of sins, have faith, confess Jesus is the son of God, be baptized for the remission of sins (this is a big one and salvation is often considered invalid without it), and remain faithful until death. They do believe salvation can be lost.
- Most believe that if you are not a part of their church, your chances at heaven are very slim.
- Though there are, as with any denomination, varying degrees of liberalism throughout different sects, it may be worth noting that at one time some of the more traditional sects made the FBI cult watch list due to the heavy submission to elders and very strict legality. Personally I will say I have seen this denomination done very well and very badly so use your own discretion.