The Distinctive Doctrines of the church of Christ
The Distinctive Doctrines of the church of Christ
Bro Eng Kim Leng | 1 September 2025 | Restoration Seminar
The Church Which Jesus Built
The Church of Christ identifies itself as the first-century church that Jesus established. Our doctrines are not based on human creeds or traditions, but on the timeless truths of the Lord's church as revealed in the New Testament.
We emphasize a heartfelt return to the simple yet profound practices and beliefs of the early Christians, looking to the Bible as the sole authority for our faith. While we hold to all biblical teachings, three doctrines are most distinctively identified with the church of Christ:
· the necessity of water baptism for the remission of sins,
· the use of a cappella singing in worship, and
· the biblical role of women in our assemblies.
The Case for Water Baptism
All Bible believers agree that Jesus is our Saviour and the only way to God, for “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
The disagreement arises not in who saves, but in how one is saved and becomes a child of God. Over time, many have created alternatives that bypass the plain commands of Christ.
Some say salvation comes when Christ “comes into your heart,” others through reciting the “sinner’s prayer.” Some accept baptism, but differ on its meaning—whether it is sprinkling, pouring, or immersion; some view it as only a public declaration after salvation, an “outward sign of inward grace.” Others practice infant baptism, while many insist baptism is not necessary for salvation at all—arguing that if it is, then it becomes a work of merit rather than an act of grace.
The Bible, our sole authority, is perfectly clear. On the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter commanded the people, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). This is not merely an outward sign of an inward grace; it is the moment our sins are washed away. Sin is present at the point of baptism. This is confirmed throughout Scripture:
We "put on Christ" when we are "baptized into Christ" (Galatians 3:27).
Ananias urged Saul (Paul) to, "Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16).
The apostle Peter plainly states, "Baptism...now saves us" (1 Peter 3:20-21).
We are "buried with Him in baptism," and in that act, God has "forgiven you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:12-13).
Jesus Himself established the order: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Believe is absolutely essential, but Scripture shows it is inseparably linked with baptism in God’s plan of salvation. Some argue that since the second half of the verse says, “but he who does not believe will be condemned,” and does not explicitly add “and is not baptized,” this means believe alone is enough. But the correct understanding is simple: if a person does not believe, then baptism is already out of the question. Both are essential; they go hand in hand. Believe alone without baptism will not result in salvation,
We see this pattern with the Philippian jailer, who, after believing, was "immediately...baptized" (Acts 16:30-33). Likewise, in Corinth, “many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8). In both cases, believe was never separated from baptism—faith and obedience worked together in God’s plan of salvation.
So, how is baptism performed?
The word itself, from the Greek baptizo, literally means "to immerse, dip, or plunge". This is symbolized in Romans 6:3-4, where baptism is described as a burial with Christ and a resurrection to walk in newness of life. The account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch provides a perfect example: they both "went down into the water" and "came up out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39). This is clearly an immersion, not sprinkling or pouring.
Without baptism, there is no remission of sins—and without the remission of sins, we cannot be added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47). God’s word is clear; we must not try to be “clever” or substitute our own ideas, as Nadab and Abihu did when they offered profane fire before the Lord, and were consumed for their disobedience (Leviticus 10:1–2).
Many denominations practice baptism but deny it is essential for salvation
In the standard manual of the Baptist church it states “Baptism is not essential to salvation, for our churches utterly repudiate the dogma of “baptismal regeneration” but it is essential to obedience since Christ has commanded it” - Edward T Hiscox D D – the standard manual for Baptist churches
However, the Scriptures clearly teach otherwise: baptism by immersion is for the remission of sins, and it is at this point that one is added to the Lord’s church.
As Paul wrote, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). This is not man’s work, but God’s work of grace through Christ.
A Cappella Singing in Worship
The term a cappella is a Latin phrase meaning "in the manner of the chapel" and refers to vocal singing without any instrumental accompaniment. For approximately the first thousand years of Christian history, worship was exclusively vocal. This practice is rooted in the clear commands and examples of the New Testament.
We are commanded to be "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19). The specified instrument is the heart. This command is echoed in Colossians 3:16, where we are told to teach one another by "singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord".
The New Testament is filled with examples of vocal music. Jesus and the apostles "sung a hymn" (Matthew 26:30). Paul and Silas, even while imprisoned, were “praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25). Paul declared, “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15). He also wrote that the Gentiles would “sing to Your name” (Romans 15:9).
The pattern is clear: New Testament worship emphasizes heartfelt singing, lifting voices in praise, teaching, and encouragement—not mechanical instruments, but melodies from within the heart.
So, why do we not use musical instruments? The simple reason is the absence of explicit authorization for them in New Testament worship.
Some point to the Old Testament, where music with instruments was indeed commanded. For example, God gave Moses precise instructions on making and using silver trumpets (Numbers 10:1–10), and He gave David commands for cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps in temple worship (1 Chronicles 28:19; 2 Chronicles 29:25).
But notice—when God desired instruments, He gave clear instructions. It is therefore reasonable to expect that if God wanted mechanical instruments in the New Testament church, He would have commanded them, just as He did for the Lord’s Supper and other acts of worship.
In the New Testament, however, the command is to sing. The Greek word psallo is used, but Paul specifies the instrument: “making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Instead of the harp, the heart is the God-given instrument. To add mechanical instruments is to add to God’s command—a step beyond what is written. Moreover, we no longer live under the Old Testament, for it has been nailed to the cross.
As Charles Spurgeon, the famous preacher, once remarked: “What a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical prettiness of a quartet, bellows, and pipes. We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it.” His words remind us that true worship is not about external display but heartfelt devotion to God.
The Role of Women in the Assembly
The Bible provides clear guidance on the roles within the worship assembly to ensure order and reverence before God. The apostle Paul writes: “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive” (1 Corinthians 14:34–35), and again, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:11–12).
It is vital to understand the context of these instructions. The phrase “in church” refers to the official worship assembly, when the saints are gathered together (1 Corinthians 11:18). The word silent (sigao in Greek) does not mean absolute silence in every sense but silence in a given context.
For example, at the Red Sea, Israel was told to “hold their peace” (Exodus 14:14)—not to stop speaking altogether, but to stop complaining and trust God. In 1 Corinthians 14, the word sigao is used three times: for a tongue-speaker without an interpreter, for a prophet yielding to another, and for women. In each case, silence meant respecting God’s order, not muteness.
Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 14 applies when the church is assembled for worship. Other passages affirm this idea of coming together as a body: “when you come together as a church” (1 Corinthians 11:18; Hebrews 10:24–25). There are also times when the church gathers outside of formal worship—for fellowship, or for daily life. Silence in 1 Corinthians 14 does not forbid women from speaking in every setting.
For example, women clearly speak in ways commanded by God:
They sing in worship, which is itself a form of teaching (Colossians 3:16).
They confess Christ before men (Matthew 10:32).
They confess sins to others (James 5:16).
Even Rhoda, in Acts 12:13–14, announced that Peter was at the gate. These are all valid forms of speaking.
The principle in 1 Timothy 2:11–12 is about role and authority. The word translated “silent” in that passage is hesuchia, meaning quietness, rest, or peacefulness. It does not mean women can never speak, but rather that they are not to teach or speak in a way that usurps authority over men in the assembly.
Paul’s instruction is not about inferiority but about God’s order of headship.
Women are not to lead in public teaching or prayer when men are present (1 Timothy 2:8). Instead, their role is one of loving submission, which is beautiful in God’s sight. Any speaking that is domineering or undermines this order is considered “shameful” (1 Corinthians 14:35).
Thus, the role of women in the assembly is not about silence in every circumstance, but about submissive respect for God’s order. Women participate fully in worship through singing, learning, and encouragement, but leadership in teaching and authority is reserved for men as God has designed.
Conclusion: A Foundation of Truth
Many doctrines are observed as uniquely the church of Christ—the simplicity of the New Testament pattern:
Bible as sole authority – God’s word is our only guide, not traditions or creeds.
Congregational autonomy – each congregation is overseen locally, without human headquarters.
Weekly communion – the Lord’s Supper observed every first day of the week, as in the early church.
Priesthood of all believers – every Christian has direct access to God through Christ.
Unity based on Scripture – true unity comes not by compromise, but by standing together on God’s word.
The call remains for us to live them out faithfully.
