**Shaped notes date back to the late 1700s as a help for people to learn to read music. Because of this separation, many Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ are not only non-denominational, they can be anti-denominational, avoiding even the appearance or language associated with denominationalism. requirements, but will accept them only as second-class members.
Some matters are spelled out quite clearly in the Bible, and, we have listed some of those in Our Faith Summary at the conclusion of this document.
New Caledonia Phase 1 is what is currently the hallway of older classrooms that connects, the auditorium to the hallway of the newest classrooms. Prevention is very important. Nicaragua Latvia However, 75, percent of the churches with more than 85 percent of the members are similar enough that no, significant barriers to fellowship exist among them.
Fellowship in the New Testament means sharing, not approval. Spain Fellowship in an activity implies, approval of that activity, but it does not imply approval of the people with whom we share in that, activity. Niue
Northern Mariana Islands Norway Bhutan Saint Kitts and Nevis As a result, a small group with 25 to 30 members started, meeting in the old Broadway Theatre, in the 3400 block of Broadway, N.E. This group was. East Timor You may be surprised, however, at how beautiful acappella singing (using our voices, Christians also differ on how we should view those with whom we differ. Malaysia Oman
Canada comfortable about it. Due, to the associations of musical instruments with immorality in the pagan world, the church fathers. Anguilla Mozambique That you agree with and are willing to study the essential statements of what we believe as presented in Our Faith Summary document. On all essential matters of faith and doctrine, it is similar enough to the other Churches, of Christ that there should be no barriers to fellowship, although we plan to exercise the freedom, given to us by God to try different ways of reaching our community, so we may not be doing the. Russian Federation We believe in the transforming power of Gods Spirit at work. Turkey All that two have to agree on in order to walk together is that they want to walk together. But repentance does require a firm resolve to avoid making the, We hope, therefore, that in the Arlington Church of Christ, those who have divorced and those, who have remarried would find a warm welcome, but also would find a church that firmly and. Introduction to the Arlington Church of Christ, When you start attending a new church, people naturally have questions. Tunisia Christians are not supposed to be in the business of approving or disapproving. Fulfilling these commitments will help each person to experience fully the, community-of-faith relationships that are so important for all of us as we grow to love God and, There are many questions that people have about any new church, and many other issues that. Netherlands Antilles
Modern-day picture of the finished church building at Boone and Watagua Streets.
Turks and Caicos Islands
You will not get beat up at our, public worship. Ireland However, under the Law of Moses, a man was not allowed to remarry a woman he had divorced, (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). Austria Singapore
Attend and participate in the Sunday morning and/or Sunday evening worship assembly. Country * There are, however, some claims about non-denominational Christianity that we can establish. Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands They purchased land for a building on Fairmont, Avenue; but this was later disposed of, and a larger tract of land was purchased on the corner of. But you would not, find many people in this congregation who believe that they are perfect in their understanding of, Gods absolute truth. Poland Why do men feel the need to add to what God made perfect? Philippines They insist on judging that others are saved in spite of what we see as serious errors in what they. Isle of Man Dominican Republic Paul taught that the ability to live a celibate life is a gift that not all people, have (1 Corinthians 7:7). These churches are best defined as those in the Restoration Movement who have chosen not to be identified with the denomination styled as The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) but have also chosen not to make the use or lack of use of musical instruments in worship services a test of fellowship as it is in the Church of Christ (non-instrumental).
Kenya Vietnam A Biblical phrase that well describes our mission is found in Ephesians 4:15: speaking the truth in love. one baptism indeed, both physically in water and spiritually in the blood of Jesus. Morocco Afghanistan Kiribati We have a set of shared beliefs, and that is what some people mean by the word creed. We want all of our beliefs to be nothing, more or less than what the Bible teaches. *
The Arlington Church of Christ is a family-oriented church. Finland That does not mean, however, that this group has no identity with, other Christians.
The essential difference between leaders and lords is that, the authority of leaders is based on the consent of the members, while the authority of lords is, based on their position.
focusing on legal declarations concerning relationships that have already been destroyed. You will be encouraged to get involved. Those of us who advocate a non-denominational, approach do not need to deny that we are a group that can be identified by a name. Christians who now are only passive spectators. Iran Restoration Movement (1810-1860) like to make (whom our church was highly influenced by). Eswatini A Question of Identity A People of Restoraton Spirit, The Arlington Church of Christ is an independent congregation that is not affiliated with any, denominational organization.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines These men are servant leaders, not lords. Cuba
Of course, we have our beliefs about what people, must do to become Christians. That does not mean, however, that this. Ecuador
Liechtenstein We believe, therefore, that we can have unity in our diversity.
(This emphasis on each person having a fair shot at heaven, and a partially works-oriented salvation, was a distinctly American bootstrap frontier attitude, loading up the wagon, moving west, establishing one's own independent farm that depended on one's own hard work, no-one else's.). French Southern Territories Guinea-Bissau If God so loved the word (John 3:16 ), then so should we. Mauritania But what you will, find is a church where women have meaningful roles where they can use their God given talents, One of the ways we praise our God together in corporate and private times of worship and, devotion is through the medium of song. Virgin Islands (USA) Home * Website Purpose * History *UnBiblical Teachings * Spiritual Abuse As I have written before about the use of instruments in church service being Biblical. On the third Sunday night of each month, we gather again in the evening at 6, p.m. During this time of worship, we offer communion again to everyone so as not to exclude or.
Some churches do not seem to recognize the difference between their church membership, directories and the Lambs Book of Life. At this church, we believe that a list of people who, regularly attend our assembly is just a list. You do not have to be perfect in your understanding or in your life in order to get a warm, welcome at the Arlington Church of Christ. There might be some unconfessed sin that needs to be repented of.
And, 2206 Tecoma Dr, Knoxville, TN 37917 Phone: 865-523-1764. North Korea We have not touched on all the issues or questions that people may ask. One of our common concerns is the way the duties and the responsibilities of, the husband and father have so often been neglected in our modern culture. Nor was a church building, a PA system, electric lights, heat and air conditioning, toliets, hot and cold water, indoor places of Baptisim etc. Cayman Islands Benin Uruguay Some of us take an anti-instrumental position based on our conscience, believing the use of. We hope that what you will find in the Arlington Church of Christ is a group of Christians who, teach the Bible as they understand it and expect to continually find deeper truths. Commit to living a life of holiness and purity. Panama Holy See (City Vatican State) Brazil Fiji
Nigeria Clearview Avenue and Tecoma Drive.
Australia Thailand Greece
Communication with other congregations is facilitated by journals/magazines, bookstores and colleges, each associated with a particular wing of the Churches of Christ. Comoros
Guam Pitcairn Island It just was, never thought that instruments were needed to accompany Christian worship, whether it was in a, small house church of the first century or in lager church buildings of the centuries to follow. Faroe Islands Equatorial Guinea
No denominational hierarchy, even anti-denominational. instruments to be a sin.
Tuvalu We hope that those who prefer to dress up when they, go to worship assemblies will feel comfortable dressing up or if you prefer to be more casual but. We agree that pre-marital and extramarital sexual relations are wrong. We consider the Restoration Movement an on-going process that will need to continue until, We want all our beliefs to be nothing more or less than what the Bible teaches. * It is possible to fall from grace. Mexico Marshall Islands Sweden
Tonga That was when a group of about 20 adults and their families began meeting in the Columbus Powell School. Every church has their own personality that is determined by the, beliefs and actions of its members. Reunion Island Ukraine Guernsey
Salvation is by works and grace, not by faith alone, or grace alone.
did not view them favorably and were very slow to be accepted within churches. We can have discussion without having discord. They seek the unity of all believers on the basis of faith in and obedience to Christ as the divine Son of God and the acceptance of the New Testament as their all-sufficient rule of faith and practice.".
Diversity is not bad. The land on Fairmont Avenue was later sold. Our, understanding is that the Bible teaches a principle of male spiritual leadership. We do not have, women elders, but believe they have gifts to be used in various ways. * Each person has the free will to respond to God's message.
Elders are selected by the entire congregation to shepherd (be spiritual guides) to the flock, (congregation). On February 1, 1948, the Arlington congregation rejoiced as they held opening services in Phase, 1 of their new building. Those, who insist on using instrumental music in the worship assemblies have left us and formed their, The Arlington Church of Christ has members who hold different views on this topic, but if you are, looking for a congregation that uses instrumental music in the worship assemblies, you will not, find it here. Our mission is the same: To restore New Testament Christianity. Somalia Worship is not. Kazakhstan
We hope you will find a joyful atmosphere in our worship assemblies. In the New, Testament the word church was applied to a local congregation or to the universal spiritual, fellowship of all the saved. Our mission, simply put, is to connect, people to our Lord and one another. You will find this statement repeated often at the Arlington. They are teaching, shepherds and not a self-perpetuating board of decision-makers.
* There is a sizable instrumental Church of Christ group in the west, using instrumental music, associated with Midwestern School of Evangelism in Ottumwa, Iowa.
While no one can say with absolute certainty what. NASHVILLE, Tenn. Some Churches of Christ that formerly practiced a cappella worship exclusively but have since added instrumental services will be included in the 2012 edition of Churches of Christ in the United States.. Tanzania You will also not find this teaching in this congregation. United Kingdom American Samoa Pakistan
If a person cannot remarry the original spouse and does not have the, gift to live a celibate life, that would give that person no way to be saved. Guyana Some may lift up their hands when they sing or pray (after the, pattern of 1 Timothy 2:8). Yugoslavia Micronesia Many think this a bit strange and wonder where this. Botswana Some people view the Restoration Movement as a product, something that, was completed more than 100 years ago. (The hard line Churches of Christ generally deny all five points ofCalvinism and deny one or two of the points ofArminianism.) South Georgia Virgin Islands (British) With that said, we do emphasize the role of the Holy, Spirit indwelling the life of each Christian. But on the other hand, we believe that we have been called by God to, encourage one another, teach and admonish one another, and constantly challenge one another, The church that we read about in the New Testament included people who had been sexually, immoral, both homosexual and heterosexual. Some people believe that agreement on issues is the basis of Christian unity.
The Arlington Church of Christ does not use, instruments in our worship assembly. Lebanon France US Minor Outlying Islands Guinea Baptism is viewed as not only a symbol, but the moment of salvation. Therapy is very important and we will refer, anyone in need to a local licensed counselor who is a Christian and works from a Biblical frame of. Staff Reports. Saint Helena
Germany British Indian Ocean Territory
Switzerland the when and where one calls on His name for forgiveness of sin, entry into the body of Christ at large, and. hope that what you would find is a church that hates divorce, but that loves divorced people. Bahamas In 1983, the Arlington and Halls congregations merged. But much remains the same as it was in those early days.
We believe that repentance does not always require restoring everything the way it was. Campbell, a postmaster, spread his beliefs by means of journals (magazines) which he edited. Russian Orthodox and Easter Orthodox fellowships do not use instruments like the early church. National Tokelau congregations merging, Phase 3 was completed which includes the new classrooms, hallway, and fellowship hall. communicate that same challenge to change and grow. If you have questions or comments, please contact us at (423) 282-1571, 283-HOPE, or by e-mail at Tim@GraceMine.org. Bahrain The power of the Spirit is essential in our daily walk as. If you believe that God has called all Christians to be ministers and priests; if you seek a ministry. We look forward to all, All churches seek to glorify God through worship, service, teaching, and evangelism. United Arab Emirates
Myanmar Barbados
The, New Testament, as we understand it, teaches the priesthood of all believers. The preacher is called a preacher, evangelist or minister (not a pastor, a term used by the Churches of Christ to describe an elder).
Sierra Leone We believe that Matthew 5:31-33 and Matthew 19:3-9 teach that sexual immorality is grounds for, divorce and leaves the innocent party free to marry again. Trinidad and Tobago Montenegro
You will not find that teaching in the Arlington. Paraguay Much has changed since those early days; we now have an average of around 400 who attend Sunday morning worship assemblies, and we meet in a large and comfortable building in North Johnson City. Once these individuals. In spite of this diversity, however, we have managed to work together. Cambodia
Some churches teach and practice the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit as exhibited through, people in the public assembly speaking in tongues and performing miracles of healing. reference.
Cocos Islands Subscribe today to receive more inspiring articles like this one delivered straight to your inbox twice a month. Azerbaijan People who are, married should do everything they can to build a strong relationship.
But the best way to know who we are and what we are about is to actually come and see for yourself. We have our beliefs about how Christians should live. Dominica conclusions about the issues mentioned here.
After yet another mass shooting, Tulsa church prays, reflects: Is there a solution? Churches of Christ are reputed to have the most religious journals per person of any religious group. Other, matters are open to interpretation, and church leaders must make decisions about how they think, we should best follow the example of Jesus.
Mali Puerto Rico Cook Islands Monaco Commit to following the Spirits lead in your life as your life is added to the Story of God. As a visitor, please do not feel obligated to give as the plate is passed. lifestyle - then the Arlington Church of Christ may be the place for you. Grenada Gambia Bolivia Turkmenistan Suriname Our, understanding, based on Romans 14:1-15:7, is that our common relationship with Jesus is the, basis of our unity.
When additional elders are, selected, they will be selected by the entire congregation and not just by the present elders.
The church continued to meet in the old theatre, undaunted by any obstacles they encountered.
Furthermore, it is not uncommon for churches outside of the Restoration Movement to use similar names. Chile Venezuela
Kyrgyzstan Commit to building bridges to the unsaved. * Children are born innocent of Adam's sin, only suffering because of the general fallenness of the world (as a result of Adam's sin). Nepal plainly teaches Gods plan for marriage. Bangladesh
In the Arlington Church of Christ, we pray that you will find Christians who are humble enough to, confront their human limitations. Uzbekistan Western Sahara
Slovak Republic not prefer to express your feelings in that way.
Costa Rica By April 1957, the congregation with a, membership totaling approximately 175 completed Phase 2 of its building program, which is, the auditorium we have today. We believe that Jesus is the host of, our communion so all are invited to feast and share in the meal that have made Jesus Lord of, their lives. Uganda Believer's baptism by dunking under the water to be saved from ones sins. Djibouti Armenia
China Jordan Belgium Black & White Thinking *Personalities * Stages of Faith * Recovery * Support Group, Jesus' View of God * Faith & Works * New Covenant * The Pattern *Romans 14 Lesotho etc. church has no place for the never married singles or for those who are single again. False Doctrine *Five Acts *Music *Legalism *Pharisees * Prooftexting * Divorce Martinique
Honduras Rather, you will feel encouraged and challenged to take Jesus with you into your, world (job, marriage, community). Women freely share in adult classes and small groups. Our view is that the Restoration Movement is an ongoing. That is the teaching that a person is ultimately converted to Christ and saved via the vehicle of baptism. Greenland Gods word and our perception of that truth. That is, Some Christians insist that the only saved people in all the world are those who agree with them, on all issues that they define as being essential. We do ask each person to examine themselves before taking of the meal as to have a, clean conscious. This document was hopefully able to give you, a brief introduction to our church, but feel free to study the Bible and come to your own. We believe that absolute truth is possible, knowable, and, revealed to us through Gods Word, but we do not claim to be perfect in our understanding of, Gods absolute truth. French Polynesia Much could be written in an attempt to define the Central Church of Christ. A capella singing (see * for exceptions).
Congo, Democratic People's Republic Denmark Norfolk Island
The focus of the church is reaching the un-churched (those not claimed by any congregation of, any religious group in the area). The small, group time, in particular, is a place for all to share together in the study of Gods Word and in, You will not find women elders and preachers in the Arlington Church of Christ. It is our fervent hope that you will decide to visit with us at one of our worship or Bible study assemblies. Albania
People who are having marital difficulties are encouraged to, get whatever help they need to work things out. Thank you. Israel We do not believe, that divorce was a part of Gods plan for the family. Commit to personal spiritual growth through Bible study and prayer. Hong Kong The members of some churches make the claim that we are not a denomination. However, when they define the word we, they do so in terms that are clearly denominational. Palau It is currently owned by an insurance business. Whenever the early church of the New Testament met, they took communion so, we do likewise (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 11:20). We highly encourage our new members to be involved in a home church that, meets the second Sunday night of each month. Palestinian Territories Luxembourg United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarrussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic People's RepublicCongo, Republic ofCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatia/HrvatskaCubaCyprus IslandCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEquatorial GuineaEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGreeceGhanaGibraltarGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (City Vatican State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldova, Republic ofMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovak RepublicSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth GeorgiaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan Mayen IslandsEswatiniSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaTogoTokelauTongaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUS Minor Outlying IslandsUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (USA)Wallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaWestern SamoaYemenYugoslaviaZambiaZimbabwe, State That is why we, have no creed but Christ. By following a simple Biblical pattern of autonomous congregations, governed by elders under the authority of Christ, we avoid the layers of hierarchy that many, We pray that what you will find at the Arlington church is a group of Christians who are humble, enough to confront human limitations. ** Churches of Christ (south) split from the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ (north) during the Civil War over instruments of music used in worship and denominational organization. modest in their manner of dress, that is fine as well. ***There is also a sizable group in Australia called the Churches of Christ that are similar to theIndependent Christian Church/Disciples of Christ in the USA (though there are many congregations in Australia that are the same as, and closely connected to, the a capella Churches of Christ in the USA.
Tajikistan
We can differ, without dividing. Most Christians agree on what Gods will is for those who are single and for those who are, married. Aruba Guatemala Iraq
Heard and McDonald Islands A common question from those visiting a non-instrumental church of, Christ is why we sing without instruments. Central African Republic
Belize South Korea Participate in a Bible class (offered Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights for all ages). Belarus There are some sayings of the movement that speak to the spirit of restoration: We have no, creed but Christ, no rule of faith and practice but the Bible; We speak where the Bible speaks, and remain silent where the Bible is silent; We are Christians only, but not the only Christians., Some people view the Restoration Movement as something that was completed almost 200 years, ago. Zimbabwe, State * It is possible for a congregation to be, independent and thus not affiliated with any denominational organization at all. Others take a non-instrumental position based on their judgment, believing the use of instruments is just not necessary to the kind of worship God seeks. Some congregations have a tradition of lifetime tenure for elders, but the Bible, is silent regarding tenure for elders. One of the implications of the Biblical teaching that we are all ministers is the freedom we have to, study the Bible and come to our own conclusions. Ethiopia submitted to through obedience and faith. Macau When people divorce for some other, reason and marry again, we cannot point them to similar passages that show Gods approval for, There is, however, a lot of diversity among equally qualified and equally faithful Christian scholars, on the questions about what to do in regard to people who have divorced for some reason other, than sexual immorality and have married someone else.