Church History · 1906

The Churches of Christ

The Churches of Christ grew out of the Restoration Movement led by Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell in the early 1800s, which aimed to restore the New Testament church. Over disputes about instruments and mission societies, they were listed separately from the Disciples of Christ in the 1906 US religious census.

Read it in the Bible: Acts 2:38 Colossians 3:16 Ephesians 5:19 John 17:20-21 Romans 16:16

The Churches of Christ are independent congregations that grew out of the Restoration Movement of the early 1800s, led by Barton W. Stone and Thomas and Alexander Campbell. The movement wanted to leave behind denominational names and creeds and restore the church as it was in the New Testament. Over the 1800s the movement divided, mostly over whether to use musical instruments in worship and whether to form missionary societies. In the 1906 United States religious census, the Churches of Christ were listed separately from the Disciples of Christ for the first time. Today they are known for a cappella singing, weekly communion, baptism by immersion and congregations with no central headquarters.

What Was the Restoration Movement?

On the American frontier around 1800, Christians were divided into many denominations, each with its own creed. Some leaders thought those divisions were a scandal. They wanted Christians to unite around the Bible alone.

Barton Stone, the Presbyterian pastor who hosted the Cane Ridge revival in 1801, left his presbytery and simply called his followers Christians. In Pennsylvania, a Scottish Presbyterian minister named Thomas Campbell wrote the Declaration and Address in 1809. A slogan associated with the Campbells sums up the idea: where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent. His son Alexander Campbell became the movement's great debater and editor, and his followers often called themselves Disciples of Christ.

On January 1, 1832, many of Stone's and Campbell's followers united in Lexington, Kentucky. The movement grew quickly and became one of the largest homegrown religious movements in American history.

Why Did the Restoration Movement Divide?

The movement agreed that the New Testament is the pattern for the church. They did not agree on what to do when the New Testament is silent. Two issues brought this to a head.

The first was the missionary society. In 1849 the American Christian Missionary Society was formed to send missionaries. Some believed it was a wise tool. Others said the New Testament gives no such organization, only local churches working together. The second was the organ. As churches grew wealthier after the Civil War, some added organs and pianos. Others pointed out that the New Testament speaks of singing, not instruments, in Christian worship.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

The conservative side was strongest in the South, especially around Nashville, where David Lipscomb edited the Gospel Advocate. The Civil War and its aftermath deepened the split between northern and southern churches.

What Happened in the 1906 Census?

By the early 1900s the two groups were really separate, but the government still counted them together. When the Census Bureau prepared its 1906 report on religious bodies, it asked whether they should be listed apart. Lipscomb agreed that they should. So the 1906 census listed the Churches of Christ separately from the Disciples of Christ. That is why 1906 is often given as the date the Churches of Christ became a distinct body, even though most members would say their church began on the day of Pentecost.

What Do the Churches of Christ Believe?

The Bible alone: They have no creed but the Bible and aim to follow New Testament patterns.
No denomination: Each congregation is independent, led by its own elders and deacons. There is no headquarters or national church body.
A cappella worship: They sing without instruments, following New Testament references to singing.
Weekly communion: They take the Lord's Supper every Sunday, as in Acts 20:7.
Baptism: They baptize believers by immersion and teach that baptism is the point at which a person receives forgiveness of sins.

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

Many other Christians see baptism as an important act of obedience that follows saving faith, rather than the moment of salvation. This is one of the main friendly debates between Churches of Christ and groups like Baptists.

The Churches of Christ Today

The Churches of Christ have around a million members in the United States and many more worldwide, especially in Africa. They support universities like Abilene Christian, Pepperdine, Harding and Lipscomb. Their four part harmony singing is famous, and anyone who has heard a big congregation sing without a single instrument knows it can be breathtaking.

The Restoration Movement has three main heirs today: the Churches of Christ, the independent Christian Churches, and the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. A separate movement, the International Churches of Christ, formed in the late 1900s and is not part of the mainstream Churches of Christ.

Why It Matters for You Today

The Restoration Movement began with a beautiful dream: that Christians could set aside human labels and be one, simply by following the Bible. The irony that it then divided is a lesson for every church. Still, Jesus' prayer stands.

I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20 to 21

Get Nate's Highlighting Guide Free

Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Questions People Ask

When did the Churches of Christ start?

They grew from the Restoration Movement of Barton Stone and the Campbells in the early 1800s. They became a distinct group over the late 1800s, and the 1906 US religious census listed them separately from the Disciples of Christ. Members believe the church began at Pentecost.

Why don't Churches of Christ use instruments?

They teach that the New Testament describes Christians singing in worship but never mentions instruments. They see following that pattern as faithful obedience. Verses like Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 are central to their view.

What is the difference between the Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ?

Both came from the same Restoration Movement. The Churches of Christ sing a cappella, reject organized missionary societies and have no central body. The Disciples of Christ use instruments and became a more organized mainline denomination.

Do Churches of Christ believe baptism saves?

They teach that baptism by immersion is when a believer receives forgiveness of sins, based on verses like Acts 2:38. They stress that baptism must come with faith and repentance. Many other churches see baptism as a response to salvation already received by faith.

Sources

← Topeka and the Azusa Street Revival: Pentecostals Are Born The Welsh Revival and the Apostolic Church →

See the whole Church History