Only the New Testament serves as a rule of faith and practice
We believe to subscribe to any creed other than the New Testament, to refuse to obey any New Testament command, or to follow any practice not sustained by the New Testament, would be adding to or taking away from the teachings of God. Galatians 1:6-9 – “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel. Which is not another, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”
The New Testament reveals that God has vested “all authority” in Christ (Matthew 28:18), and that Christ serves as God’s spokesman today. Hebrews 1:1-2 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.”
- Since the New Testament also sets forth Christ’s instructions to His disciples, it alone must serve as the basis for all religious teaching and practice.
- This is fundamental with members of the church of Christ. We believe that teaching the New Testament without modification is the only way to lead men and women to become Christians.
The first members of the Lord’s church accepted the apostles’ teachings as infallible and final. Acts 2:42 – “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
- However, before long, some began to teach and practice things different from the apostles’ teaching.
- Such a departure from sound doctrine was predicted by New Testament writers in their warnings.
- In Acts 20:29-30, the apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders, “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
- In spite of these injunctions, from the beginning of the second century through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, one departure after another followed until the church in organization, worship, and teaching was vastly different from the church of the New Testament.
- History records that innovations introduced included:
- Church offices unauthorized in the Scriptures.
- The creation of a special clergy.
- Religious councils to decide church matters of organization, worship, and doctrine.
- Sprinkling substituted for immersion and the sprinkling of infants.
- Addition of instrumental music to the worship.
- Such a departure from sound doctrine was predicted by New Testament writers in their warnings.
At the close of the Middle Ages, many religious leaders rebelled against the ecclesiastical authority and practices of the Roman church.
- They pleaded for the full authority of the Bible in matters of religion.
- Chief among these men were Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli.
- Followers rallied around the reformers, and unfortunately, their teachings eventually crystallized into many creeds.
- Thus followed the era of denominationalism, with different groups springing up everywhere, each with its peculiar name, organization, doctrine, and practice.
In the late 1700’s men of different denominations, studying independently of each other in various parts of the world, began to ask:
- Why not go back beyond denominationalism and beyond Roman Catholicism to the simplicity and purity of the first century church?
- Why not take the Bible alone and once again continue “steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship . . .” (Acts 2:42)?
- Let us, they said, plant the same see that the apostles and first century Christians planted, and let us be Christians only, as they were. “The seed was the Word of God.” (Luke 8:11).
- The men pleaded with all others to throw of denominationalism, to throw away human creeds, and to follow the Bible.
- They taught that nothing should be required of people as acts of faith except that which is evident from the Scriptures.
- They emphasized that going back to Bible does not mean the establishment of another denomination, but rather a return to the original church.
This we believe, is the only safe pattern. We humbly cherish the hope that we today are following this pattern set forth in the New Testament . . . it is our only rule of faith and practice.