Our beliefs and practices are taken directly from the Bible.  This is why, despite our localized, autonomous structure, Churches of Christ across America can be counted on to have the same core values.  For example, we believe in the inerrancy of scripture; that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons in one being; that Jesus is the Son of God who was sacrificed for the sins of all humankind; that water baptism is necessary to forgive sins and to be added to the Kingdom of God; that the Gospel message must be preached; that the poor must be protected; and, that our children must be provided with a moral foundation for life, which is the one taught by the scriptures.

Churches of Christ have existed since the beginning of Christendom.  After Jesus had been crucified, rose from the dead, and was taken up into Heaven, his followers banded together in small groups all over Judea to worship him as the Son of God.  As these groups, or churches, grew in size and number, they were directed by the Apostles as how to organize and govern themselves.  Simply stated, this biblical process is the same one that Churches of Christ use today.