The world is full of many denominations and many people who have heard nothing other than the man-made doctrine found in these various religious groups. As a result many simple, Bible-based teachings and inferences come as a surprise to people in the denominational world. Following are a few examples:
No tithing
Many today think that tithing, or giving 10% of our means is required. Many do not understand that tithing was part of the law of Moses. The Jewish nation was to give 10% - no more or no less. This type of giving was done away with with the Christian system. In contrast, the New Testament system of giving is one where the Christian gives "as he is prospered" (1 Corinthians 16:2) and "not grudgingly or under compulsion, but cheerfully" (2 Corinthians 9:7). The faithful Christian should want cheerfully to go even beyond the Old Testament rule of 10%.Preachers are not called "pastor" or "reverend"
This is so common in the religious world. Yet in Psalms 111:9, the only verse in the Bible using the word, we are told that God is the rightful bearer of this title. Shall we also apply it to men? "Pastor" is just another word for an elder or bishop, a word used to describe the overseers of a congregation. To further show the distinction, note that in Ephesians 4:11, the two words are mentioned separately.You cannot "join" the church
When a person obeys the gospel (becomes a Christian), he is "added" to the church of our Lord. This is what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:47, and it's the same thing that occurs today. Nothing has changed. Being "added to" the church is not like "joining" a civic group or social club. The two don't even compare. It's common to hear people say, "Join the church of your choice." This idea is foreign to the New Testament teaching of being added to Christ's one church.Eating the Lord's Supper every Sunday
Some relious groups do so once a month, some once a quarter, some once a year (and some never). Acts 20:7 gives us example of when the early church "broke bread." They did so on the first day of the week. Even religious history shows us that this was a weekly observance in the early church.No creed books in addition to the Bible
Most denominations rely on some sort of official creed book, manual or other addition for doctrinal statements. But the Bible should suffice. It can and does provide for our needs. If a creed book does not teach MORE than the Bible teaches, and if it does not teach LESS than the Bible teaches, then why is it needed?No earthly headquarters
So many denominations have a headquarters of some sort. Yet churches of Christ are autonomous. Each congregation appeals to Christ directly, with no board or organization between. Christ is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18). Christ is in Heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Where is the headquarters of the church? It is where Christ is - in Heaven, not anywhere on this earth.Any Christian can baptize
Some have drawn the conclusion that only a preacher or some member of a clergy can rightfully baptize. There is no scripture that supports this notion. We need to remember that there is nothing special in the person doing the baptizing. A person who decides to obey the gospel will become a Christian even if he is immersed by someone other than the preacher.People may be baptized at any time
Some seem to think that baptisms may only be performed at the conclusion of a worship service. People may be baptized at any time, day or night. Acts 16 gives us two examples of baptisms, one of which occurred on a Saturday, and the other at midnight.Baptism is not delayed
Some religious groups set aside one particular day and assembly to baptize people who have "already been saved" in the weeks or months previous. This practice suggests the false doctrine that salvation comes without baptism. If baptism saves, which we know from scripture that it does (1 Peter 3:21), then wouldn't the examples we read about indicate that people were baptized without delay? Yes it would, and this is just what we read.No musical instruments in the worship
Simply put, Christians are commanded to worship God in singing. We are to "pluck" (psalo) the strings of the heart (Ephesians 5:19), not that of any other instrument. Anything else goes beyond the command given to us.
1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Psalms 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Acts 1:9-11
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
