Disciples of Christ — a comparison of the doctrine of 17 current religions
Prepared by and presented by Rex Bennett
An overview of the beliefs of the Disciples of Christ:
- Disciples of Christ
- Atonement — Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of men. As a rule, the doctrine of original sin is rejected. Most believe that all men are sinful until redeemed by the saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
- Baptism — Done by immersion, showing one’s obedience. Symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Only those old enough to know what they are doing when they confess Jesus Christ are baptized.
- Did Christ organize a church while on earth? — Christ did not organize a church. The church began at the Day of Pentecost as recorded in the New Testament. Disciples were followers and believers in Christ, not part of a church organization.
- Ecclesiastical authority — They have a well-trained clergy and also a commitment to “Priesthood of the Laity” (lay ministers from within the organization). Not concerned with apostolic succession. No hierarchy of ecclesiastical authority.
- God — Speculation as to the nature and kind of being that God is is left to the individual. The most important belief for a person to have is the belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior.
- Heaven and Hell — Some believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell. Others are content to know that divine mercy will decide about future rewards and punishments. This is left to the personal interpretation of each member.
- Holy Bible — The Bible is the inspired Word of God to men, not including the Apocryphal books. The Old Testament is used for meditation and instruction. Literalist view is that the Bible is the final and infallible Word of God. Liberal view is that the Bible is not to be taken literally.
- Holy Ghost — The Holy Spirit is the comforter that was promised in the New Testament. The function and constitution of the Holy Spirit are not of any concern. It expands the Christian mind.
- Holy Trinity — They have discarded most of the doctrines concerning the Trinity, and are not concerned about its nature or functions. They baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as set forth in the New Testament.
- Is membership in a church needed for salvation? — It is most important to confess a belief in Jesus Christ followed by baptism. The church one belongs to does not assure salvation. Need not be a member of our church to be saved.
- Life after death — Most are content to know that the future rewards and punishments will be taken care of by Divine mercy, and that the Kingdom of God is invincible.
- Marriage — Marriage is ordained of God. Most believe that divorced people should ‘remarry’. Some would contend that it is not right for divorced people to remarry. This is left to the members personal interpretation.
- Miracles — Jesus performed miracles during his ministry on the earth, but concerning miracles in modern times, most members do not believe in miracles today.
- Future status of non-believers in Christ — Divine mercy will determine the future status of those who died as non-believers in Christ, therefore our members are not concerned as to any possible future status of these individuals. God will decide.
- Pre-existence of man — No doctrine concerning the pre-existence of man. There is a wide variety of opinion and it is left to the individual to believe what they wish.
- Purpose of life — The purpose of life is to believe in Christ, accept his atoning sacrifice, and follow His teachings. Greatest mission in life is to bring Christians of all faiths into one Church of Christ.
- Resurrection — Most believe that Christ was resurrected spiritually but not physically. The resurrection of man is considered much the same, though there is a myriad of thought within the church on this subject.
- Revelation — God is at work continuously but there is no modern revelation. The Bible is revelation that was validated by the faith of the community as all revelation must be.
- Sacrament — Communion is observed each Sunday. Lay elders of the church preside over the Lord’s Supper as the central point of worship. It is open to all Christians that have been baptized.
- Satan — Satan is in opposition to God. This church has no doctrine concerning the nature of his being. It is sufficient to know that he opposes God. Each member may decide for themselves beyond what is known.
- Second Coming of Christ — The Kingdom of God is within you and is now occurring. Christ will not come again in a physical ‘second coming’, and there will not be an Armageddon.
- Vicarious work for the dead — There is no doctrine about vicarious work for salvation of the dead. Most members are content to know that the dead are in God’s hands, and would not believe that there is anything the we can do to help them.
- Virgin birth, immaculate conception — Most members believe in the virgin birth, but some do not. There is no ecclesiastical authority to declare what is right for the entire body of the church on this or any other subject.
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