OUR TEACHING...
The teaching of the churches of Christ is very simple. It is honest people who desire to "go back to the Bible and restore
Christianity to the pattern delivered in the New Testament." To accomplish this, we must speak where the Bible speaks and
remain silent where it is silent. For the most part, we are striving and succeeding in carrying out that plea, which is a
scriptural plea. The plea is used to carry the gospel from house to house and soul to soul. It is possible to worship God
today as He was worshipped 2000 years ago because we have the pattern. This seeking the "old Paths" and a return to the
pattern has been true ever since
the Old Testament era. During the days of Jeremiah the prophet, six hundred years before Christ, we read, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the
good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16). Just a reformation or a change is not sufficient when a complete restoration
is possible. Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one
that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day"
(John 12:48; cf. Revelation 20:12).
The Lord's Church
Its Founder: Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:18).
Its Beginning: On the first Pentecost after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 1-2, 11:15).
Its Names: Several names are used in the New Testament, such as: churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16), church of God
(I Cor. 1:2), and church of the First-born (Heb. 12:23). They indicate the church belongs to Christ, and any of them may be
used when referring to the church. Division was condemned, and denominations did not exist in the time of the apostles.
Its Organization: In the New Testament church there was no earthly head office, and each congregation was independent.
There were elders, who are also called bishops or presbyters, who were responsible for the spiritual oversight.
Deacons were responsible for the physical tasks. See I Tim. 3; Titus 1; Acts 20:28-31; Heb. 13:7, 17; and I Pet. 5:1-4.
Its Mission: To preach the gospel so that souls may be saved. The church takes the gospel to those who have not heard,
so that they might have an opportunity to obey. It also teaches, encourages, exhorts, and chastises those who are Christians
so that they might grow and mature spiritually (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 15:15-16; Rom. 1:16; II Tim. 2:15, 3:14-17;
and II Pet. 1:1-11). (Extracted from Schertz church of Christ webpage)
Who are these people? Identifying the New Testament Church.
