WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE
JUST A CHRISTIAN?
You can be just a Christian! Does this sound strange? With about 1,200 different religious
bodies in our country, it might appear impossible to be a Christian without being part of a
denomination. It is not only possible, but there are actually millions of "Christians only" in this
and other nations.
THE OAK RIDGE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Who are these people who seek to be only Christians? The congregation of which they are a part
is known as "The Oak Ridge church of Christ." This term is not used in a sectarian sense, but
is intended to denote their desire to belong to Christ's church. The Bible says, "All the
churches of Christ greet you." (Romans 16:16). Furthermore, it is just as correct to describe the
church of which we read in the Bible as "the church of God" (1 Corinthians 1:2), "the body of
Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27), or "the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). These and similar
Biblical phrases are not proper names, but descriptive expressions which show how the church is
related to Christ and His Father.
Individually Christ's followers are known as "Christians" in the Bible. "The disciples were called
Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26). "If a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed; but let Him glorify God in this name." (1 Peter 4:16). Never does a human name
prefix this God given name. Paul was one of the greatest of all Christians, but he did not want
disciples to be called "Paulites" or "Paulite Christians." (See 1 Corinthians 1:10-17).
A DISTINCTIVE PLEA
In many ways the members of the Oak Ridge church of Christ agree with others who are striving
to follow Christ. We believe in the Divine inspiration of the entire Bible and that it is
sufficient to guide us in all matters of faith. We believe in the death of Jesus Christ and His
Atonement for our sins, and that after death all men will be rewarded or punished in another life
for the way they have lived here. Along with all people of real religious conviction, we insist that
the moral principles of Jesus are absolute truths to be exemplified in the personal righteousness of
the child of God.
THE BIBLE ONLY
However, we not only believe that the scriptures are inspired, but also are convicted that the New
Testament must be our ONLY guide in religious faith. God's Word frequently warns us
against changing the Divine message. (See Galatians 1:6-9). We, therefore, have no creed or
catechism to present, but accept Christ as our only creed and the Bible as our only
guidebook. In this way we are never prevented by an erroneous creed from accepting any truth
which may be learned from God's Word.
RESTORATION RATHER THAN REFORMATION
It is obvious to thinking people that the religious world is badly divided. Great leaders such as
Martin Luther and John Calvin sought to correct erroneous teachings and practices. But the
reformers often started at different points and thus arrived at different conclusions. Division
rather than unity has thus resulted.
The Oak Ridge church of Christ, on the other hand, pleads for the restoration of the Apostolic
Christianity rather than a reformation of existing religious bodies. Since all can agree that the
early church was right, we should also be able to agree that we cannot be wrong if we succeed in
reproducing that church today in every essential part. While many things have changed in the
twentieth century, the teachings of Jesus and His apostles have not. Truth is absolute and
unchangeable. God's Word is truth (John 17:17) and can save today as surely as in the first
century if applied in the same way. "The truth will make you free." (John 8:32)
Should you visit the Oak Ridge church of Christ, you will find it worshipping God as did the early
disciples - "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). You will observe that it partakes of the Lord's
Supper, or communion, every Sunday. This is because we are following the example of the early
Christians who assembled every first day of the week to "break bread" (See Acts 20:7).
Likewise, in every other way we seek to reproduce New Testament Christianity - in
organization, in work, and in other areas of teaching.
HOW TO BE JUST A CHRISTIAN
In few places is there so much disagreement as in answering the Bible question, "What must I do
to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Here again the Oak Ridge church of Christ replies by going to the
Scriptures for the answer. The Bible teaches that Christ shed His blood for our sins (Matthew
26:28), and that without it we cannot be saved. What does Jesus require of us if we are to
appropriate that sacrifice? Those who crucified Him were told to "know assuredly" or believe
that Jesus is "both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36). When these people on the day of Pentecost
then asked for further information, they were told, "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ unto remission of your sins..." (Acts 2:38). Today we teach as did
the apostles that for Christ's blood to remove our sins we must as believers in Him repent and be
baptized. As we are thus saved from our sins, the Lord adds to His body, the church. "And the
Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:47). "For in one Spirit we
were all baptized into one body." (1 Cor. 12:13). The saved, then are in the body or church of
Christ; one cannot be saved and be outside this body.
The early disciples were Christians only. Although we live nearly 2,000 years later, we too can be
Christians only if we will follow the same teachings given to these first followers of Jesus. Christ
said, "The seed is the word of God." (Luke 8:11). Just as surely as a planted acorn will produce
only an oak tree, so God's Word will produce Christians and nothing more. We invite your
earnest consideration to this plea.
You are more than welcome to worship with us at any time. You will be treated as our honored
guest and encouraged to study the Scriptures in purity, honesty and sincerity.