The Church of Christ was founded by Jesus on Pentecost day nearly 2,000 years ago (Acts 2).  Christ purchased the Church with His blood (Acts 20:28), and functions as its head (Eph. 5:23-24).  He governs the Church by His inspired word (Matt. 28:18; 17:5; Col. 3:17).


Churches of Christ are autonomous and have no central headquarters on earth.  The local congregation is comprised of elders (I Tim. 3:1-7), deacons (I Tim. 3:8-13), evangelists (II Tim. 4:5), and members (I Co. 12:20).  The three works of the church are evangelism (Matt. 28:19-20), edification (Acts 20:32), and benevolence (Jas. 1:27; Gal. 6:10).


The Bible is the inspired word of God and is the pattern to guide every aspect of our lives (II Tim. 3:16-17).  It lends direction on how to become a Christian through faith in Christ (Jo. 8:24), repentance of sin (Lu. 13:3), confession of Christ (Matt. 10:32), and immersion in water (Acts 2:38).  It is at this point that the Lord adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:47).   The exhortation to those added to the body of Christ is found in Revelation 2:10, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."


The Bible sets forth the criterion for acceptable worship (John 4:24).  True worship consists of preaching the gospel (II Tim. 4:10), singing without the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), praying (Acts 2:42; I Tim. 2:8), partaking of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7; I Co. 11:23-29), and the giving of our means (I Co. 16:1-2).


God's word also outlines the behavior of those who belong to the Church of Christ.  We are instructed to walk in the foot-steps of Christ (I Pet. 2:21).  Our goal is to live a life that would bring honor and glory to God (Matt. 5:16; Eph. 3:21).


The faith and practice of churches of Christ could be summed up in the words of Peter when he said, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11).


- Thanks to Mike Hixon for this summary of the Lord's Church.