DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The church that Christ built (Matthew 16:18) and purchased with his blood (Acts 20:28) is neither a denomination nor interdenominational. Christ’s church can be easily distinguished from those man made institutions by a number of its own distinctive features, some of which include:
Its Name and OrganizationIt claims Jesus Christ as it’s only head -- Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23
It wears his name and repudiates all human names -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Romans 16:16; Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16
It is governed by New Testament teaching and follows no manmade creed or discipline --II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 4:11; Hebrews 9:15-17
Each congregation is self-governed, independent of any other congregation. They are not under the ruling of any humanly designed governing body, but each congregation of the Lord’s church is overseen by elders who are selected from among the local members -- Acts 20:17, 28; I Peter 5:1-4; Titus 1:5
Elders in Christ’s church are men who meet scriptural qualifications as outlined in the New Testament -- I Timothy 3:1-7;Titus 1:6-9
Elders are most often assisted by deacons, who are men meeting specific qualifications and having been chosen from the local membership -- I Timothy 3:8-12
The church of which Christ is the head follows a pattern of worship as set forth in the New Testament: 1) Prayer -- Acts 2:42; I Timothy 2:8; 2) Preaching the gospel -- Acts 20:7; 3) Singing without the use of any mechanical instruments -- Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 4) Partaking of the Lord's Supper each Sunday, the "first day of the week". The Lord's Supper, or communion, consists of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, which to Christians represent the body and blood of Christ, respectively. The Lord himself instituted this memorial -- Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 10:16; Matthew 26:26-28; 5) Giving as we have been prospered, every first day of the week -- I Corinthians 16:1-2.
All areas of congregational worship are led by the male members of the congregation -- I Corinthians 14:34-35; I Timothy 2:11-12.
BECOMING A MEMBER OF
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Lord adds people to his church as they are saved by obeying the gospel -- Acts 2:47; II Thessalonians 1:7-9
Obedience to the gospel consists of: 1) Hearing the gospel -- Romans 10:14-17; 2) Believing the gospel -- Mark 16:15-16; 3) Repenting of past sins -- Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; 4) Confessing faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God -- Acts 8:37; Matthew 10:32; 5) Being baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins -- Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16.
Having become a member of the Church of Christ, living a faithful Christian life is necessary -- Romans 12:1-2; Revelation 2:17.