Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ represent the conservative, instrument-using branch of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, which began in early nineteenth-century America under Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell. This fellowship uses instrumental music in worship (distinguishing it from a cappella Churches of Christ) and generally maintains a more conservative theology than the Disciples of Christ. Each congregation is autonomous with no denominational structure, but they cooperate informally through Bible colleges and missionary societies. They emphasize the sole authority of Scripture, believer's baptism by immersion for remission of sins, and weekly communion.
Theology
Trinity
Affirms
Three distinct persons in one God; Nicene orthodoxy affirmed; Scripture-centered foundation always
Nature of God
Affirms
Trinitarian monotheism; personal God always; sovereign Creator; Scripture-centered doctrine exclusively
Holy Spirit
Nuanced
Personal Spirit; indwelling at baptism; gifts largely ceased; sanctifying work
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Nuanced
Faith and immersion baptism for remission of sins; Arminian; conditional election
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Penal substitution primary; Christ died for all humanity; propitiation for our sins affirmed
Predestination
Nuanced
Conditional election based on foreknowledge; Arminian theology; individual response always required
Original Sin
Affirms
Inherited sinful nature universally; not direct inherited guilt; Arminian anthropology maintained
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Immortal soul affirmed; bodily resurrection literal; conscious intermediate state; eternal judgment certain
Hell
Affirms
Eternal conscious punishment; eternal separation from God; lake of fire
Heaven
Affirms
Eternal state; communion with God; bodily resurrection; eternal life with Christ
Second Coming
Affirms
Literal bodily return; future event; judgment of living and dead
Millennium
Varies
Amillennialism predominant view in fellowship; Millennium understood spiritually not literally
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Nuanced
Congregational autonomy paramount; no central ecclesiastical authority; local independence affirmed
Clergy & Priesthood
Nuanced
No formal ordination required; congregational appointment of ministers; male leadership traditional
Sacraments & Ordinances
Nuanced
Two ordinances: immersion baptism (for remission) and weekly Lord's Supper
Scripture
Biblical Canon
Affirms
66-book Protestant canon; Old and New Testaments; Hebrew canon for Old Testament
Biblical Inerrancy
Affirms
Inerrant and inspired in original languages; central to biblical theology
Extra-biblical Revelation
Denies
Scripture is sole revelation; no extra-biblical authoritative texts; Spirit guides through Word
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
Affirms divine Logos; Christ as God; foundational to restoration theology
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Virgin birth prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ; Isaiah seven foretold Messiah coming
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Peter's role affirmed; Christ as foundational rock; no papal succession or hierarchy
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's sovereignty affirmed; human responsibility and choice maintained; compatibilist view
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Nuanced
Faith and works together; obedience to God required; works follow justification
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Trinitarian formula required; baptism in water by immersion; apostolic practice
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Affirms Christ's divine status and eternal throne; divinity of Son affirmed
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Varies
Millennium understood spiritually; Satan bound; Christ's spiritual reign now established
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Varies
God as Creator affirmed; varied on creation mechanisms and timeline
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Varies
Textual status acknowledged; authority varies; pragmatic use in some contexts
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Varies
Textually secondary; narrative valued for Jesus' grace; used in pastoral contexts
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Varies
Late addition to text; absent from oldest manuscripts; Trinitarian doctrine unaffected
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Non-canonical texts; Hebrew canon recognized; Apocrypha rejected from biblical authority
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Not canonical; patristic literature valued but not Scripture; no doctrinal authority
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday worship normative; no Sabbatarianism; First Day (Lord's Day) apostolic pattern
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
Personal conscience determines blood transfusions; no binding prohibition; medical freedom
Military Service
Affirms
Military service permitted; just war theory; civic duty; no pacifist tradition
Holidays
Nuanced
Christmas and Easter culturally observed; not commanded; regulative principle relaxed