Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.”
Our Beginning...
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was founded in the early 1800s at the center of what would come to be known as the American Restoration Movement.
Inspired by reflection on the early church and powerful experiences during The Second Great Awakening (1790-1840) the founders of this movement (Barton Stone, Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell) began to advocate a “back to basics” approach to Christianity. This was very refreshing to many people as denominational doctrine and politics had become increasingly complex and divisive.
Promoting unity (not uniformity) among Christians was (and remains) central to Disciple’s identity. Stone and Campbell encouraged people from different Christian backgrounds to focus more on the primary elements of faith held in common and less on secondary issues that lead to division and distraction.
A very strong emphasis for us has always placed on putting our faith into action and seeking to live Christ’s Great Commandment to
“love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:28-34 & Matthew 22:35-40).
“In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity (or love).”
This quote from St. Augustine is often cited as embodying the ethos of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
So… what are the “essential” tenants of faith for Disciples?
Our Basics…
Jesus Christ–The Disciples’ Confession states that, “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God… Lord and Savior of the world.” Belief in Christ as Savior is the most basic and essential tenant of faith for Disciples.
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame…For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Romans 10:9-11 & 13)
Trinity–As Disciples of Christ, we profess God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in our Confession. According to the Great Commission found in Matthew 28, we baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as well.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19)
Scripture–Disciples of Christ believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. While scripture is ideally interpreted within a community of faith, we believe the Holy Spirit guides individuals to read and interpret Scripture as well. Along with most Protestant Christians, we recognize the canonical authority of sixty-six books in the Bible.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Lord’s Supper–Open communion, where all Christians are welcome, was one of the reasons for the founding of the Christian Church. In the Lord’s Supper, “the living Christ is met and received in the sharing of the bread and the cup, representative of the body and blood of Jesus.”
The Lord’s Table is the central focus of worship in the Christian Church, explaining the use of a chalice as the church’s official logo. Since one of the goals of the Disciples of Christ is to foster Christian unity, communion is open to all Christians. The Christian Church celebrates communion at almost every worship service.
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Matthew 26:26-28)
Baptism–Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It signifies new birth, a cleansing from sin, the individual’s response to God’s grace, and acceptance into the faith community.
Our common practice is to dedicate or bless newborn babies and to baptize older children or adults when they are able to understand the significance of baptism and express their desire to do so. We believe that baptism is an important expression and affirmation of faith, but we do not believe it has any salvific power in and of itself. Baptism is generally practiced by immersion.
People who join from other Christian traditions (who have already been baptized) are accepted without the need to be baptized again. Sometimes people who were baptized as infants (or have perhaps had a significant spiritual experience) will seek a “reaffirmation” of baptism by immersion. Though not necessary, it is not uncommon either.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19)
Christian Unity–One of the earliest and most enduring goals of our movement has been to overcome divisions that stand between Christians from different denominations and hinder our ability to witness to the rest of the world.
“Let Christian unity be our polar star.”–Barton Stone (Disciples Founder)
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was one of the founding members of the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches and remains active in both organizations today. Ecumenical efforts are represented in many local and regional initiatives as well.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (Prayer of Jesus–John 17:20-23)
Our Beliefs...
“The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a community of believers who, through baptism into Jesus Christ, are bound by covenant to God and to one another.
Disciples draw their inspiration from Scripture and the Holy Spirit, celebrating around the Lord’s Table the life, death, and resurrection, and continuing presence of Christ.
We proclaim the good news of salvation. We claim as our particular witness the quest for Christian unity as a sign of God’s unity for the human community.
While stressing freedom and diversity under God, we believe unity and mission are inseparable; we witness and serve among the whole human family in the interest of peace, justice, mercy and kindness.”
– Kenneth Teegarden (General Minister and President Emeritus)
While Disciples resist human-made creeds (especially as tests of faith), the Preamble to a document entitled The Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) poetically and prayerfully expresses our shared affirmations in this way:
The Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- “As members of the Christian Church, we confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.
- In Christ’s name and by his grace we accept our mission of witness and service to all people.
- We rejoice in God, maker of heaven and earth, and in the covenant of love, which binds us to God and to one another.
- Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God.
- In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ.
- At the table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ.
- Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture.
- In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose kingdom has no end.
- Blessing, glory and honor be to God forever. Amen.”
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is represented today by over 700,000 members in over 4,000 congregations. Our churches may be found in many countries of the world, but most are located in the United States and Canada.
Disciples of Christ members who have served as President of the United States include Ronald Reagan, Lyndon Johnson, and James Garfield.
More Information about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) may be found at our National Church Website–https://disciples.org.