Hillsboro Christian Church Teaches
Originally written By Batsell Barrett Baxter (Edited for the Hillsboro
Christian Church by David F. Callen, the original copied from "The Church"
Web site
What is the distinctive plea of the church?
It is primarily a plea for religious unity based upon the Bible. I n a
divided religious world, it is believed that the Bible is the only possible
common denominator upon which most, if not all, of the God-fearing people of
the land can unite.
This is an appeal to go back to the Bible. It is a plea to speak where
the Bible speaks and to remain silent where the Bible is silent in all
matters that pertain to religion.It further empathizes that in everything religious there must be a "Thus
saith the Lord" for all that is done. The objective is religious unity of
all believers in Christ. The basis is the New Testament. The method is the
restoration of New Testament Christianity.
The Historical background, of the Restoration Movement.
One of the earliest advocates of the return to New Testament
Christianity, as a means of achieving unity of all believers in Christ, was
James O'Kelly of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1793 he withdrew from
the Baltimore conference of his church and called upon others to join him in
taking the Bible as the only creed. His influence was largely felt in
Virginia and North Carolina where history records that some seven thousand
communicants followed his leadership toward a return to primitive New
Testament Christianity.
In 1802, Abner Jones and Elias Smith led a similar movement among the
Baptists in New England. They were concerned about "denominational names and
creeds" and decided to wear only the name Christian, taking Bible as their
only guide.
In 1804, in the western Frontier State of Kentucky, Barton W. Stone and
several other Presbyterian preachers took similar action declaring that they
would take the Bible as the "only sure guide to heaven."
Thomas Campbell, and his illustrious son, Alexander Campbell, took similar
steps in the year 1809 in what is now the state of West Virginia. They
contended that nothing should be bound upon Christians as a matter of
doctrine, which is not as old as the New Testament.
Although these four movements were completely independent in their
beginnings eventually, they became one strong restoration movement because
of their common purpose and plea.
These men did not advocate the starting of a new church, but rather a
return to Christ's church as described in the Bible. Members of the churches
do not think of themselves as a new church started near the beginning of the
19th century. Rather, the whole movement is designed to reproduce in
contemporary times the church originally established on Pentecost, A.D. 30.
The strength of the appeal lies in the restoration of Christ's original
church.
How many churches of Christ (Christian Churches) are there?
The most recent dependable estimate lists more than 15,000 individual
churches of Christ and Christian Churches. The "Christian Herald," a general
religious publication that presents statistics concerning all the churches,
estimates that the total membership of the churches of Christ is now
2,000,000.
There are more than 7000 men, who preach publicly. Membership of the
church is heaviest in the southern states of the United States, particularly
Tennessee and Texas, though congregations exist in each of the fifty states
and in more than eighty foreign countries.
Missionary expansion has been most extensive since the second World War
in Europe, Asia and Africa. More than 450 full time workers are supported in
foreign countries. The churches now have five times as many members as were
reported in the U.S. Religious Census of 1936.
How are the churches organizationally connected?
Following the plan of organization found in the New Testament, the
Churches are autonomous. Their common faith in the Bible and adherence to
its teachings are the chief ties, which bind them together. There is no
central headquarters of the church and no organization superior to the
elders of each local congregation.
Congregations do cooperate voluntarily in supporting the orphans and the
aged, in preaching the gospel in new fields, and in other similar works.
Members of the church of Christ conduct forty colleges and secondary
schools, as well as seventy-five orphanages and homes for the aged.
There are approximately 40 magazines and other periodicals published by
individual members of the church. The Highland Avenue church in Abilene,
Texas sponsors a nationwide radio and television program, known as "The
Herald of Truth". Much of its annual budget of $1,200,000 is contributed on
a free-will basis by other churches of Christ and Christian Churches. The
radio program is currently heard on more than 800 radio stations, while the
television program is now appearing on more than 150 stations.
Another extensive radio effort known as "World Radio" owns a network of 28
stations in Brazil alone, and is operating effectively in the United States
and a number of other foreign countries, and is being produced in 14
languages. An extensive advertising program in leading national magazines
began in November 1955.
There are no conventions, annual meetings, or official publications. The
"tie that binds" is a common loyalty to the principles of the restoration of
New Testament Christianity.
How are the Churches governed?
Elders are chosen, the local congregations based on qualifications set
down in the scriptures select these men (1 Timothy 3:1-8). Servings under
the elders are deacons, deaconesses, teachers, and evangelists or ministers.
The latter do not have the authority equal to or superior to the elders. The
elders are shepherds or overseers, who serve under the headship of Christ
according to the New Testament, which is a kind of constitution. There is no
earthly authority superior to the elders of the local church.
What does the Church believe about the Bible?
The original autographs of the sixty-six books, which make up the Bible,
are considered divinely inspired, by which it is meant that they are
infallible and authoritative. Reference to the scriptures is made in
settling every religious question. A pronouncement from the scripture is
considered the final word. The basic textbook of the church and the basis
for all preaching is the Bible.
Do members of the churches believe in the virgin birth?
Yes. The statement in Isaiah 7:14 is taken as a prophecy of the virgin
birth of Christ. New Testament passages such as Matthew 1:20, 25, are
accepted at face value as declarations of the virgin birth. Christ is
accepted as the only begotten Son of God, uniting in his person perfect
divinity and perfect manhood.
Does the church believe in predestination?
Only in the sense that God predestines the righteous to be eternally saved
and the unrighteous to be eternally lost. The statement of the apostle
Peter, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in
every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is acceptable
unto him". (Acts 10:34-35.) is taken as an evidence that God did not
predestine individuals to be eternally saved or lost, but that each man
determines his own destiny.
Why does the church baptize only by immersion?
The word baptizes comes from the Greek word "baptizo" and literally means,
"to dip, to immerse, to plunge." In addition to the literal meaning of the
word, immersion is practiced because it was the practice of the church in
apostolic times. Still further, only immersion conforms to the description
of baptisms as given by the apostle Paul in Romans 6:3-5 where he speaks of
it as a burial and resurrection.
Is infant baptism practiced?
No. Only those who have reached the "age of accountability" are accepted
for baptisms. It is pointed out that the examples given in the New Testament
are always of those who have heard the gospel preached and have believed it.
Faith must always precede baptism, only those old enough to understand and
believe the gospel are considered fit subjects for baptism.
Do ministers of the church hear confession?
No. Ministers or evangelists of the church have no special prerogatives.
They do not wear the title of Reverend or Father, but are addressed simply
by the term Brother, as are all other men of the church. Along with elders
and others they do counsel and advise those seeking help.
Are prayers addressed to the saints?
No. God the Father is considered the only one to whom the prayers may be
addressed. It is further understood that Christ stands in as mediator
position between God and man (Hebrews 7:25). All prayers are therefore
offered through Christ or in the name of Christ (John 16:23-26).
How often is the Lord's supper eaten?
It is expected that every member of the church will assemble for worship
on each Lord's day. A central part of the worship is the eating of the
Lord's supper (Acts 20:7). Unless providentially hindered, each member
considers this weekly appointment as binding. In many instances, as in the
case of illness, the Lord's supper is carried to those who are hindered from
attending the worship.
Does the church believe in heaven and hell?
Yes. The statement of Christ in Matthew 25, and elsewhere, are taken at face
value. It is believed that after death each man must come before God in
judgement and that he will be judged according to the deeds done while he
lived (Hebrews 9:27). After judgement is pronounced, he will spend eternity
either in heaven or hell.
Does the Church believe in purgatory?.
No. The absence of any reference in the scriptures to the temporary place
of punishment from which the soul will eventually be released into heaven
prevents the acceptance of the doctrine of purgatory..
By what means does the Church secure financial support?
Each first day of the week the members of the church "lay by in store as
they have been prospered" (1 Corinthians 16:2). The amount of any individual
gift is generally known only to the one who gave it and to the Lord. This
free-will offering is the only call, which the church makes. NO assessments
or other levies are made. The tithe is taught as the age-old standard for
Christian giving back to God what He has so generously given to them.
Does the Church have a creed?
No. At least, there is no creed in the usual sense of the word. The belief
of the church is stated fully and completely in the Bible. There's no other
manual, discipline, to which the members give their allegiance. The Bible is
considered as the only infallible guide to heaven.
How does one become a member of the church?
In the salvation of man's soul, there are two parts: God's part and
man's part. God's part is the big part, "For by grace you have been saved
through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift if God; not of
works that no man should glory" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The love that God felt
for man led him to send Christ into the world to redeem man. The life and
teaching of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross and the proclaiming of the
gospel to men constitute God's part in salvation.
Though God's part is the big part. Man's part is also of great importance!
Faith without works is dead. Each person must experience the obedience of
faith. We take each step of obedience as we learn of God's will. Our faith,
then comply us to obey the conditions of pardon which the Lord has already
set, and is not subject to change. Our part can clearly be seen in
following the steps of faith outlined below.
1. Hear the Gospel. "How shall they call on him whom they have not believed?
How shall they believe him whom they have not heard? How shall they hear
without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).
2. Believe. "And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto
him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews 11:6).
3. Repent of past sins. "The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked;
but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent." (Acts
17:30).
4. Confess Jesus as Lord. "Behold here is water; What doth hinder me to be
baptized? And Philip said, if thou believeth with all thy heart thou mayest.
And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God"
(Acts 8:36-37).
5. Be baptized for the remission of sins. "And Peter said unto them, Repent
ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the
remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
(Acts 2:38).
6. Live a Christian life. "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the
excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light"
(1 Peter 2:9).
Now that you are aware of a church in the 20th century, which is built
according to the blue prints of Christ's original church, why not become
members of it? In becoming a member of it, you will be called upon to do
nothing, which you cannot read in the New Testament. You will then live and
worship just as the apostle-guided Christians of the first century did.
This is our goal as nearly as possible with corrections, as we learn and
study God word..
Not only is this return to New Testament Christianity a wonderful basis
upon which all believers in Christ can unite, it is absolutely solid ground.
If we follow our faith in the written word, obeying because of our faith,
what our Lord has commanded, we can, through that same faith in the written
word, know that our salvation is certain. Come worship with us as we go back
to the Bible, back to Christ and his church.
