Our Distinctives
Ideally, the church of Christ throughout the world would have no essential differences. The differences manifested would be of circumstance or culture only. The same essential belief, worship, practice, and form of government would be found everywhere the church gathers. This, as everyone recognizes, is not presently the case. There are differences, even serious differences, among articles of faith, forms of worship, and so on. Some beliefs are vital to the existence of the church itself. That is, if certain beliefs are not upheld, whatever else the assembly of people is, it has lost the right to be known as a church of Christ. For instance, if a group wanted to assemble on the first day of the week, read the Bible, and contend that Jesus is not divine, whatever else this group is, it has forfeited the identity of Christian.
Other beliefs, however, are vital to the healthy existence of the church. These beliefs are taught in the Scriptures, they are Christ's will revealed, but one may be a Christian, or a group may be an assembly of saints, and yet they may contend against certain truths that are vital to their health. For example, a group of believers congregated as a particular church may reject, even with vehemence, plurality of elders in a congregation. This, though unwise and hurtful to the health of the congregation, does not mean that the given group is no longer Christian. The church will struggle in certain ways, it will face difficulties that it need not face due to its rejection of that which Christ has provided for the good of their souls. However, it does not mean that they have lost the right to be known and treated as a group of Christ's disciples.
Some teachings of Scripture have become so eclipsed throughout history and culture, that where they are found, they distinguish the assembly of saints that hold to them. Such beliefs are distinctives. Depending on one's background and exposure to the Scriptures and church history, certain beliefs and practices may or may not seem distinctive. Those beliefs and practices held by our congregation and denomination, which are most distinct in our own generation, are here briefly discussed.
Other beliefs, however, are vital to the healthy existence of the church. These beliefs are taught in the Scriptures, they are Christ's will revealed, but one may be a Christian, or a group may be an assembly of saints, and yet they may contend against certain truths that are vital to their health. For example, a group of believers congregated as a particular church may reject, even with vehemence, plurality of elders in a congregation. This, though unwise and hurtful to the health of the congregation, does not mean that the given group is no longer Christian. The church will struggle in certain ways, it will face difficulties that it need not face due to its rejection of that which Christ has provided for the good of their souls. However, it does not mean that they have lost the right to be known and treated as a group of Christ's disciples.
Some teachings of Scripture have become so eclipsed throughout history and culture, that where they are found, they distinguish the assembly of saints that hold to them. Such beliefs are distinctives. Depending on one's background and exposure to the Scriptures and church history, certain beliefs and practices may or may not seem distinctive. Those beliefs and practices held by our congregation and denomination, which are most distinct in our own generation, are here briefly discussed.
Centrality of Scripture
Simplicity of Worship
Singing of Psalms
Whereas the first visible difference most likely perceived in our worship is the absence of any visual aids to worship, apart from what Christ has ordained, namely the word and sacraments; the next thing noticed is the material for praise. For most people today, the Psalms are devotional chapters for reading and prayer. However, prior to the last 100-150 years, the church of Christ always took its guidance in sung praise from the Psalms. In fact, the singing of Psalms extends back well before even the apostles, for the church of God has been singing the Psalms for generations...
Vital Christianity
The older writers will mention, experimental religion. Such a term is misunderstood today, as if men were attempting to figure out what true religion was. Rather, the older term had the idea of testing one's own religion to see if it were true, that is, to see if their experience matched the teaching of Scripture. The Scriptures themselves demonstrate this theme, when, for instance, James (2:14ff.) challenges Christians, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?...Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
Of concern is the growth of denouncing experience from Reformed pulpits.
Whereas we wish to prize and preach truth, our preaching is intent on seeing this truth challenge false conceptions of grace, repentance, faith, and experience. Knowing that man is more than understanding, we address the actions, assumptions, motivations, affections, and desires of those who hear. ...
Moreover, while we rejoice in many Reformed pulpits heralding the truth of Christ's righteousness imputed to sinners in justification, we lament that there is a near silence from the same pulpits when it comes to Christ Jesus in the believer unto sanctification. ...
Of concern is the growth of denouncing experience from Reformed pulpits.
Whereas we wish to prize and preach truth, our preaching is intent on seeing this truth challenge false conceptions of grace, repentance, faith, and experience. Knowing that man is more than understanding, we address the actions, assumptions, motivations, affections, and desires of those who hear. ...
Moreover, while we rejoice in many Reformed pulpits heralding the truth of Christ's righteousness imputed to sinners in justification, we lament that there is a near silence from the same pulpits when it comes to Christ Jesus in the believer unto sanctification. ...
Christian Sabbath Keeping
Increasingly only the older folk in our society remember such things as Blue Laws, laws which prevented certain activities or commerce on Sundays. Indeed, except for a small minority, for most Americans, the only thing that has distinguished Sunday from Saturday, is that they attended a worship service before, in between, or after various recreational activities.
However, as we search the Scriptures we find the Lord instituting a day for all mankind to observe. At the creation, before Jew or Gentile existed as different people groups, before sin had been committed or ceremonial law had been established, God set apart one day as a day of rest and worship, sanctifying it from common use. In the ten commandments, the summary of the moral law, we find that day and blessed privilege wedged between equally lasting duties. As incarnate, God the Son, restored the glory of that day, not in removing its obligation from mankind, but in removing the additions and encroachments various traditions had added. His words are most instructive, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath." And, upon the transition from Old to New Covenant, the Lord did not take away the Sabbath, but changed the day from the seventh to the first. Thus, we find the apostles and early church meeting on the first day of the week thereafter, and John "in the spirit on the Lord's day."
However, as we search the Scriptures we find the Lord instituting a day for all mankind to observe. At the creation, before Jew or Gentile existed as different people groups, before sin had been committed or ceremonial law had been established, God set apart one day as a day of rest and worship, sanctifying it from common use. In the ten commandments, the summary of the moral law, we find that day and blessed privilege wedged between equally lasting duties. As incarnate, God the Son, restored the glory of that day, not in removing its obligation from mankind, but in removing the additions and encroachments various traditions had added. His words are most instructive, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath." And, upon the transition from Old to New Covenant, the Lord did not take away the Sabbath, but changed the day from the seventh to the first. Thus, we find the apostles and early church meeting on the first day of the week thereafter, and John "in the spirit on the Lord's day."
National Religion
Although overlooked by many today, the Scriptures hold forth the duty of nations, as nations, recognizing and supporting Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. ...