International Churches of Christ
The International Churches of Christ (ICOC) is a fellowship of churches that emerged from the mainline Churches of Christ, founded by Kip McKean in Boston, Massachusetts in 1979. The ICOC is known for its intensive discipling model — requiring members to have a personal 'discipling partner' accountable for their spiritual growth — its expectation that every member is an active evangelist, and its practice of baptism by immersion as essential to salvation. After controversies over authoritarian practices in the 1990s, the movement underwent significant reforms in the early 2000s and remains a global fellowship.
Theology
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Nuanced
Faith, repentance, and baptism by immersion are all necessary for salvation
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Christ's death is a substitutionary sacrifice that atones for sin
Predestination
Nuanced
Rejects Calvinist election; salvation is genuinely available to all
Original Sin
Nuanced
Sin nature inherited; infants innocent; guilt comes from personal sin
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
The soul is conscious after death; believers await resurrection with Christ
Hell
Affirms
Hell is eternal conscious punishment for those who die outside of Christ
Heaven
Affirms
Heaven is the eternal reward for those who remain faithful to Christ
Second Coming
Affirms
Jesus will return literally and bodily for final judgment
Millennium
Varies
No official millennial position; eschatological speculation discouraged
Ecclesiology
Scripture
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
Affirms John 1:1; foundation for Christ's absolute authority and lordship over disciples
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Isaiah 7:14 prophesies virgin birth; 'almah' understood as virgin
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Peter is foundational apostle; but congregational authority is emphasized
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's choice affirmed with emphasis on human obedience and faith
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Faith and works both necessary; obedience essential to salvation
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Matthew 28:19 authorizes baptism; baptism required for salvation
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Christ is addressed as God; affirms full deity and worship
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Nuanced
Millennium interpreted variously; focus on Christ's present kingdom rule
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
God is creator of all things; Genesis account received as revelation
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Nuanced
Longer ending not in earliest texts; resurrection message is central
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Nuanced
John 7:53–8:11 absent from early texts; message reflects gospel character
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Nuanced
Comma Johanneum likely not original; Trinity affirmed by other passages
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Deuterocanonical books not canonical; Protestant 66-book canon affirmed
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Shepherd of Hermas not canonical; early Christian text but non-scriptural
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday worship as Lord's Day; Saturday Sabbath is not required
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
No prohibition; standard medical care is accepted
Military Service
Varies
No binding position; individual conscience on military service
Holidays
Nuanced
Christmas and Easter observed; not part of the authorized worship pattern