Today one of the outstanding features of Churches of Christ lies in the acceptance of the Bible as a true and completely adequate revelation. This basic concept has resulted in such practices as weekly observance of the Lord's Supper, baptism by immersion, a cappella singing, a vigorous prayer life, support of church needs through voluntary giving, and a program of preaching and teaching the Bible. Strong emphasis is also laid on the church as the Body and bride of Christ. A figurative rather than a literal view is prevalent with reference to the book of Revelation. Membership is contingent upon an individual's faith in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son o god, repentance, confession of faith, and baptism by immersion for remission of sins.
Church attendance is stressed.
Churches of Christ maintain that the final judgment of all religious groups is reserved unto the Lord. This view, however, still allows for a vigorous evangelism that finds unacceptable the doctrines, practices, names, titles, and creeds that have been grafted onto the original Christianity. Ministers are ordained rather than licensed, and they hold tenure in their pulpits under mutual agreement with the elders of the churches in which they preach. Their authority is moral rather than arbitrary, the actual government of the church being vested in its elders. A vigorous missionary program is carried on in 75 nations outside the U.S., and in recent years a strong movement to extend the influence of the church in the northeastern states has developed.