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RELIGION LIBRARY

Disciples of Christ

  • Overview
  • Origins
  • History
  • Beliefs
  • Rituals and Worship
  • Ethics and Community

Sacred Time

Disciples meet weekly for the Lord's Supper, and believe that it is in these congregational gatherings that God can be found and known. Yearly celebrations commemorate significant moments in the life of Jesus, particularly his birth, death, and resurrection.

Sacred Space

Disciples meet in church buildings, but are careful to emphasize that Christianity is a deep personal commitment and a way of life. They resist the idea that a building anchors a community, focusing instead on the community itself. read more

Rites and Ceremonies

The heart of the shared life of the Disciples is the weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper. All are welcome, and there is no set order of worship. Baptism is by immersion, for adults only.

Worship and Devotion in Daily Life

Many Disciples engage in daily Bible study and prayer, alone or in groups. Frequently the local pastor or fellow congregants assist in preparing daily devotionals for individual and family use.

Symbolism

The official symbol of the Disciples is a red chalice with a white St. Andrew's cross. It represents the central place the Lord's Supper occupies in the church's life and recalls the Scottish ancestry of Thomas and Alexander Campbell.

Beliefs Ethics and Community Back to religion Library
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