Sometimes people ask, what's the difference in the Church of Christ and all other churches in town?  Why should I consider the Church of Christ when I have so many other options?  Let us try to answer these good questions.

   There is only one thing distinctive about the Church of Christ, and that is, there are no distinctions.  Everything the Church of Christ believes and practices are things that the entire Christian world agrees is right.  We do not have any Church of Christ doctrine, creed, or catechism that separates us from other believers in Jesus.  Everything we believe and practice is admitted to be right by generally everyone in the world of Christendom.  The only distinction we would have is that these universal, non-divulsive truths and practices are all brought together in one congregation or local family of believers.

   Let us illustrate by calling attention to these items:

   We seek to exalt Jesus as Lord, the Christ of God, and pattern our lives after him as the Holy Spirit produces his fruit in us.  We want to emulate Jesus in every respect of our lives.  His love, mercy, compassion, kindness, obedience, and faithfulness to God is the model for our lives.  Some may want to add certain saints or respected leaders to their loyalty, prayers, or commitments, but no one would argue that to follow Jesus only is denominational, divisive, or wrong.

   We follow the Scriptures in all matters of faith and doctrine.  We seek the unity of all believers in Christ on the basis of a return to New Testament teachings and practices.  The Christian world agrees that this is right.  Other groups may want to add certain, special beliefs peculiar to their system that make them uniquely the brand name believers that they are, but no one would say that to follow nothing but the Scriptures, without addition or subtraction is wrong.  The Scriptures are not divisive, but sectarian creeds and peculiar creeds are.  Thus, we believe the ancient, orthodox Christian truths delivered by the apostles and the prophets of Jesus Christ that have guided the church for over nineteen hundred years.  Nobody would say that to follow these truths is denominational, divisive or wrong.

   We baptize believers.  Nobody would say that it is wrong to baptize believers.  Some may want to baptize unbelievers, e.g. infants, but no one would argue that our practice of baptizing believers is denominational, divisive, or wrong.

   We baptize by immersion.  Nobody would say that it is wrong to immerse.  Some may want to use sprinkling or pouring; but no one would argue that our practice of immersion is denominational, divisive, or wrong.

   We partake of the Lords Supper weekly on Sunday.  Nobody would say that it is wrong to commune weekly.  Some may want to celebrate communion daily, monthly, or quarterly; but no one would say that our practice of partaking weekly is denominational, divisive , or wrong.

   We sing a cappella. Nobody would say that it is wrong to sing.  Some may want to add instruments but no one would argue that our practice of singing is denominational, divisive, or wrong.

   We recognize the freedom and right of every believer to study the Scriptures for themselves and be free under God to interpret and apply Gods word to their own lives.  Some may want to add hierarchies that give official views and church doctrine but no one would argue that believers researching, applying, and interpreting Scriptures for themselves is denominational, divisive, or wrong.

   We meet in local, autonomous congregations led by ministers, elders, and deacons selected and approved by the membership.  Some may want to add extra-congregational rules and denominational frameworks and structures; but no one would argue that believers who simply meet as Christians and follow simple biblical forms are denominational, divisive, or wrong.

   We call ourselves by New Testament terms: Christians, disciples, saints, brothers and sisters, or believers, and our churches Churches of Christ.  Of course, there are other New Testament designations and descriptions for the Church that are just as scriptural.  These include Church of God, Body of Christ, Bride of Christ, Kingdom of God and Christ, the church, Church of the Firstborn Ones, and Family of God.  Some may want to call themselves after baptism, forms of church government, reformers, methods, certain Christian beliefs and lifestyles, or certain cities of prominence; but no one would argue that to simply call ourselves Christians or Church of Christ is denominational, divisive, or wrong. Any biblical terms could be misused in a denominational and divisive sense, but the use of them alone does not necessarily imply that.

   There is one thing that we believe and practice that is not universally agreed to be right.  We believe that this is the way to answer the prayer of Jesus for the unity of all Christians.  We can never agree on a peculiar, sectarian teachings but we can agree to follow the Scriptures, and nothing but the Scriptures.  The only thing distinctive about the Church of Christ is that this fellowship of believers brings together in one church the practice of these biblical, non-divisive teachings.  Anything anyone has ever learned from the Bible will never have to be unlearned.

   This is a positive, inclusive movement that seeks the unity of all believers in church by the practice of New Testament Christianity as revealed in the Scriptures.  We have differing opinions among ourselves but none of these are allowed to be divisive in the body.  We are committed to the truths expressed in the old motto: In matters of faith, unity; In matters of opinion, liberty: and in all things, love.  We invite you to join us in this noble quest of preaching and preaching simple New Testament Christianity.

What Is The Church of Christ ?

What Is The Southern Maine Church of Christ ?

What Does Your Church Believe ?

Why Does The Church of Christ Sing A Capella Only ?

A Brief History of Instruments in
Christian Worship

Why We Choose to Be A Capella ?

Why Do Churches of Christ Baptize
by Immersion Only ?

Why Do We Teach That Every Believer
Should Be Baptized ?

Why Do We Celebrate Communion
Every Sunday and Only on Sunday ?

How May I Become A Member at
Southern Maine Church of Christ ?

How May I Become a Christian ?