RESTORATION, NOT REFORMATION
It is obvious that the religious world is badly divided. Great leaders such as Martin Luther and John Calvin sought to correct erroneous teachings and practices. But these men who determined to reform the existing system, often started at different points, and arrived at different conclusions. Division rather than unity has been the result.
Churches of Christ, on the other hand, plead for a restoration of 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 us today as surely as in the first century if applied the same way. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
Should you come to visit one of the churches of Christ you will find it worshipping God as did the early disciples - "in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24) You will observe disciples partaking 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 churches of Christ seek to reproduce New Testament Christianity - in organization, in work, and in teaching.