The Disciples of Christ is a denomination within America and Canada today. Commonly referred to as the DOC (Disciples of Christ), their mission statement is “to be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps ‘to the ends of the earth.’”
Moreover, the DOC reports their vision to be “a faithful, growing church, that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice.” At first glance, it appears this denomination has similar beliefs to Protestant denominations but does it truly believe the same? Are the Disciples of Christ a true Christian Church?
The genesis of the Disciples of Christ did not begin until the 19th century during the Restoration Movement. The founders of the Restoration Movement were Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell.
Neither Stone nor Campbell knew of each other when they separately began their own ministries. When they met, they became friends and discovered that both had the same beliefs, which were different from mainstream Protestant denominations.
Stone and Campbell both sought unity in their churches, thus, they merged with each other. In 1906, the Disciples of Christ was started. In the present day, there are over 380,000 active members.
The Disciples of Christ’s belief system is different from mainline Christian beliefs. As per the Disciples of Christ official website, they hold strongly to their confession statement. The Confession Statement of the Disciples of Christ is listed as follows:
As members of the Christian Church, We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.
In Christ’s name and by his grace we accept our mission of witness and service to all people. We rejoice in God, maker of heaven and earth, and in God’s covenant of love which binds us to God and to one another.
Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God. In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ. At the Table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ.
Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture. In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose kingdom has no end. Blessing, glory, and honor be to God forever. Amen.
At first glance, the Disciples of Christ seems to be orthodox; however, upon further examination, there are several non-biblical teachings within their confession and in their belief system.
Therefore, from this confession, the DOC believe Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. However, this confession does not say anything about Jesus being God. Jesus is God as He and the Father are One (John 10:30).
The DOC believes it is the mission of the church to witness to all people, which is correct as believers are to go out to all the nations and tell the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20), yet the confession does not say anything about taking the gospel to all people. The DOC’s confession simply states the need for its members to go out to the world and serve others.
Also, the confession highlights the importance of immersion by baptism and the necessity of Communion, yet the confession does not specifically state a person has to believe in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection to be saved, which is prior to baptism. It is not biblical for a person to be baptized unless the individual is a born-again believer (John 3:1-21).
The Disciples of Christ emphasize their focus on accepting all people of various beliefs into their church. They reject any conversion before becoming a member of their church. The DOC does not want to isolate any person, thus, they accept people of various religious backgrounds.
This is their way of seeking unity within the church. Basically, the DOC does not believe in absolutes. The Bible has to disagree as it is clear that Jesus is the only Way to salvation (John 14:6).
Furthermore, the DOC believes a person can lose salvation. It is not biblical to believe an individual can lose salvation. Once a person accepts Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, the individual is permanently saved. Jesus tells believers that we can never be taken out of His Hand (John 10:28-29).
The Holy Spirit indwells believers at the moment of salvation, and He never leaves. The seal of the Holy Spirit is permanent and unchanging (Ephesians 1:13). An individual can never lose salvation.
Another unorthodox belief of the DOC is their stance on ethical and moral matters. The DOC accepts both homosexuality and abortion, and are two hallmarks of liberalism within the Disciples of Christ.
God’s Word is clear on homosexuality and abortion. The Bible condemns all forms of homosexuality as sexual relations should only be between a man and a woman within biblical marriage (Leviticus 18:22,20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Likewise, abortion goes against God as each individual is fearfully and wonderfully made, even in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16). Each baby becomes a person at the time he or she is conceived.
Finally, the DOC believes it is permissible to have women as pastors. The Bible specifically states that only men can be pastors (1 Timothy 2:12-14).
The Disciples of Christ do not contain the true teachings of the Bible. In order to be a true Christian Church, the church has to have the correct doctrines and established beliefs. The Disciples of Christ should not be seen as a true Protestant Church, a believer should use extreme caution before ever joining this church.
The Disciples of Christ is a popular belief system today; however, it should not be considered a true Christian church.
The Disciples of Christ is unorthodox in theology, including not identifying Jesus as God, not having true evangelism, not stressing a true conversion before baptism, the belief one can lose salvation, and their acceptance of homosexuality, abortion, and women pastors.
Believers should not become associated with the DOC, nor should they practice its teachings. If a believer knows a person within the DOC, the believer needs to show the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Sources
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). “Our Mission, Vision and Confession,” 2021.
For further reading:
Why Is Jesus’ Divinity Important?
Can a Christian Lose Salvation?
What Does the Bible Say about Homosexuality?
What Does the Bible Say about Abortion?
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