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Beginnings—Churches of Christ
The first concern was that mankind should be restored to God. This restoration, or evangelism, is the mission of the church. The church exists primarily for those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. To be effective in evangelism, the leaders of the movement believed strongly that they also needed to restore the church to its original, or New Testament, pattern. This in reality proved to be impossibility, because there was so much diversity in the early church. There is no one clear model of church government and function presented in scripture. In fact, the biblical emphasis is not on pattern, but people. The message does not change, but the way of presenting it changes according to people and their culture. Secondly, our early leaders recognised that whilst the church was divided, the world would not be won to Christ. The church fighting and squabbling brings confusion and often contempt from those looking on. Jesus prayed that all who believe in him may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:21). Unity is not the purpose of the church, but it is an important factor in effective evangelism. So throughout its history, leaders in Churches of Christ have argued passionately for unity on the basis of scripture. These two themes of restoration and unity are an important part of our heritage. Our early church leaders had a passionate desire to restore mankind to God, and a strong belief that the church should be united for this purpose. As they pursued this vision and studied the scriptures, five principles emerged that have been central to Churches of Christ ever since.
No Creed But Christ: As the church has developed over the centuries since the time of Christ, many formal statements of faith, or creeds, have been developed. This has been particularly so from the time of the Reformation. These creeds served to distinguish one group of Christians from another. Each group developed a creed to suit itself, and the creeds became a test, a means of separating from others who did not hold to the same doctrines. Groups developed into denominations, and these denominations have split further. So what were meant to be statements of faith had become sources of division. As our early leaders studied the bible, they saw that the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and faithful obedience to him was all that should be required for acceptance and participation in the body of Christ. (Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:13; John 14:15-21) Therefore communion is open to all who love the Lord. The issue is not whether you have agreed to a creed or a member of a particular church, but rather whether you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and so are seeking daily to obey him.
Where The Scriptures Speak We Speak: Throughout the history of our movement, we have placed a great emphasis on the Scriptures.
For this reason we seek to evaluate everything we do and say in relation to biblical teaching and biblical principles. The bible forms the basis both for our desire to restore mankind to God and for church unity. So whilst we desire unity, we will not be a part of compromise and arbitrary acceptance that in any way reduces or ignores biblical truth. So we encourage you to read and study and meditate on the bible, and put into practice all that you learn. Evaluate all that you hear and see by what the bible teaches. Much has been written about the bible. James Brooker wrote the following:
Where The Scriptures Are Silent, We Are Silent: This allows for great freedom and diversity of thought and opinion. For a doctrine, or teaching, to be considered essential or binding, it must be biblical. No doctrine or action could be imposed on others if it were not biblical, even if it seemed beneficial. Neither were implications to be derived from scripture, because such implications of necessity had to contain the opinions of man. Many issues, therefore, are considered matters of personal decision, or conscience. For example, the bible teaches that it is wrong to get drunk (Ephesians 5:18), but it does not forbid the consumption of alcohol. Many arguments can be presented for not drinking alcohol, but because the bible does not forbid this, it is left as a matter of personal choice. One of the special features of our movement has been open debate over issues, considering each matter in the light of scriptures. This has allowed for people of differing opinions to worship side by side. So there have been differences of opinion on the role of women, music in worship, church government and so on. Throughout the history of our movement there have been people who have not been able to handle such freedom, and so have insisted on conformity. This has in some instances led to a wooden legalism that has sapped the joy and vitality and freedom that there is in knowing Jesus. So let us encourage open discussion of any issues that are of concern. Let us hold our opinions strongly, without imposing them on others. Let us explore biblical truth, and learn to live with differing opinions. Where the scriptures are silent, we are silent!
Christians Only, Not The Only Christians: Churches of Christ have always seen themselves as a movement within the kingdom of God. This is one of the reasons why we have communion open to all who accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, not just to those who are ‘members’ of our movement. We are not the only Christians, nor are we ‘more spiritual’ than Christians who are a part of other denominations or groups. However we do believe that we have an important contribution to make to our brothers and sisters in Christ—this contribution is encapsulated in the issues that were key to the start of our movement:
This also gives us a freedom to learn from other groups and appreciate the special emphasis they may bring to the kingdom of God. In all of this, it is our desire to evaluate everything that is said and done by what the bible teaches.
In Essentials Unity, In Opinions Liberty, In All Things Love: This saying, perhaps more than any other, highlights the special emphasis that Churches of Christ brings to the wider church. It is the purpose statement of our movement, and lies at the core of our approach to the Christian life. Such an attitude has meant that our movement, over the years, has been open and dynamic, with much strong opinion and vigorous debate. It has also led to dispute and division. It is not easy to define and distinguish between essentials and opinions. It is even more difficult to love in all things, especially when there is disagreement over what is essential and what is opinion. To live according to such principles requires a depth of biblical knowledge that is subject to a deep personal relationship with God. This has to do with our character as God’s people, both individually and corporately. The essentials are the black and white areas, defining our boundaries, on which we must agree. These are the clear biblical truths that are essential to what it is to be a Christian and also necessary for us to function effectively together as the body of Christ, the church. Paul said,
The opinion are the grey areas, where we may hold our views strongly, yet agree to differ.
I am not to impose my opinions on others, nor are they to impose theirs on me. Disagreement on opinions should not lead to division. In all of this we are to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). We are to develop and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, acceptance and forgiveness. What then are the essentials? What are opinions? What is love? Whilst this saying sums up much of what is at the heart of our movement, it has also been the source of much dispute and even division over the years. The difficulty comes in agreeing on the essentials, defining what is opinion, and in the midst of such debate being able to really love another with whom we disagree. It would take at least a book to deal with these issues. We will have to settle for some brief comments, which, I hope, will stimulate thought and discussion.
These are the truths that are foundational to the Christian faith, and are clear and self evident from biblical teaching. These are the starting points of our faith and are held to be clearly true. The essentials include: the Bible as the Word of God; the biblical teaching on God—Father, Son & Holy Spirit—Man, Sin, Salvation and so on. In relation to salvation, Churches of Christ have considered faith, repentance, confession and baptism as being essential teachings.
It is far more difficult to define what is opinion, because there is so much that fits in this area—everything that is not essential. So any issue on which the Bible does not speak fits into this area. So, for example, any discussion regarding political systems (democracy, socialism, communism etc), let alone political parties, is a matter of opinion, no matter how passionately we might hold our views. In addition to this huge area, any doctrine that relates to an interpretation of difficult or unclear passages of scripture must also be a matter of opinion. So, for example, whilst we can say with certainty that Jesus will return, the nature and events surrounding his return are a matter of opinion. There are many interpretations of the book of Revelation and other associated passages of scripture. Other matters that fit into this area of opinion are church government, and the role of women in the church. These are all matters where people can hold positions strongly and with great feeling. However we need to be most careful about being dogmatic, or imposing our views on others, for these indeed are areas of opinion. Love is to be the mark of the Christian—John 13:34,35. Above all else we are to be a people who express the love God has for us toward each other and indeed for all people. Take time to read 1 Corinthians 13, and look up all the "one another passages" in the New Testament. So let us agree on the essentials, maintain an attitude of liberty regarding opinions, and strive to love one another in all things.
Churches of Christ commenced as a movement within the wider Christian community. There was no desire to be a denomination, but rather to be an active part of the body of Christ bringing an emphasis that would contribute to the whole. Renewal and evangelism were, and are, at the heart of this movement. Keith Farmer says,
It is not easy to maintain the vision and the passion of the founders of a movement. In focusing on those things that mark us out as different from many other groups—open communion, baptism of believers by immersion etc.—we have been seen by others and have come to see ourselves as a separate group. We have become a denomination in both our structure and our thinking. In many churches so much energy has gone into preserving our identity that we have failed to share the gospel. We have slipped into the mentality of waiting for people to come to us. The great tragedy is that many churches have lost their flexibility and vitality, and thus their capacity to relate to the world around them in a way that is relevant. Many of our churches are dying, usually slowly, and the great tragedy is that the reasons are generally not recognised and the necessary changes are not made. As a church we have sought to develop a contemporary style of worship that breaks away from such traditionalism that stifles the gospel. It is important for us to maintain and encourage flexibility and vitality. Churches of Christ as a movement has always placed a very high value on the bible and biblical knowledge. Implicit in the principles that are at the core of our movement is the notion that all of us should have an extensive and practical knowledge and understanding of the bible. It is indeed to be a “lamp to our feet and a light to our path.” The freedom of opinion that we so highly prize is dependent on such knowledge. Healthy debate concerning any issue, whether essentials or matters of opinion, rely on a thorough knowledge of scripture. Yet so often we have settled for a Sunday School knowledge of the bible, which is great if you are a child, but inadequate for adults. We take the easy way out and rely on sermons and the opinions of those we respect, or we read books about the bible instead of reading the bible as our primary source of information. Bible study at times is hard work. It challenges our thoughts, our lifestyle and our theology. It is easy to overlook difficult passages, or sections that do not fit our thinking. When we fail to read the bible we are unable to live with freedom of opinion and open debate. The tendency is to demand conformity, to expect everyone to hold the same opinions as we do. Issues are not aired for fear that people might “get hurt.” The end result is that in many churches differences are allowed to simmer under the surface until they explode. Yet it is important that we all study the bible for ourselves, and participate in a small group where bible study and discussion is part of the agenda. Let us encourage one another to read the bible, and to put into practice what it says. Jesus said: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” This article is from material presented by Randy Edwards. _____________________________________________________________ ** P. 2. Keith Farmer, Ministry and Church—Restoration Or Ruin, The Pamphlet Club, #363, June1989. |
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