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The church of Christ is promised, prophesied, revealed and described in the Bible.
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The church of Christ exalts Christ as the only head of the church. (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18)
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The church of Christ has no rule book but the Bible. It strives to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where it is silent. (I Corinthians 4:6; II Timothy 3:16, 17; I Peter 4:11; II John 9)
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The church of Christ is organized according to the teachings of the New Testament. It has no earthly organiztion above the local congregation and each congregation is organically independent. The congregation is overseen by elders, with deacons and evangelists serving under their oversight. (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Ephesians 4:11; Phillipians 1:1)
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The church of Christ preaches the same gospel and teaches the same plan of salvation based upon the grace of God as taught by the apostles. (Romans 1:16)
This plan includes:
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Faith in Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31)
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Repentance of sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30)
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Confession of faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10)
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Baptism. This baptism is a burial in water (immersion) of a penitent believer to wash away his sins. (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:38, 39; 22:16; Romans 6:3, 4; Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 4:5)
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The church of Christ worships according to the New Testament pattern. (John 4:23, 24) This worship consists of:
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Singing without the use of man-made instruments. (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)
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Praying to God. (Acts 2:42)
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Observing the Lord's supper each first day of the week. (Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Corinthians 11:23-30)
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Giving. (I Corinthians 16:1, 2; II Corinthians 9:7)
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Teaching God's word. (Acts 2:42; I Timothy 3:15; II Timothy 4:1-2)
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The church of Christ pleads for unity of all believers in Christ and believes that unity can be attained. (John 17:20, 21; I Corinthians 1:10-13)
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The church of Christ is not a denomination, but simply the body of Christ to which the Lord adds the baptized believers who have been saved from their past sins. (Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:18)
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