Christian Union
The Christian Union Church is a group of Christians who attempt to unite all Christians on a Scriptural basis. There is no one creed that binds its member to the Christian Union.
The churches are governed by three elders. The First Elder is the president. The Second Elder is the secretary and the Third Elder is the treasurer. Each church is independent in operation and they govern themselves according to their individual churches. The independent churches each call their own pastor, who is in complete control of their pulpit.
History
The history of the Christian Union begins in 1864 with a convention of Christian people of various denominations meeting in Columbus, Ohio. The convention was held to develop a way to provide for religious people who were dissatisfied with the sectarian teachings of the different ecclesiastical organizations. This group of believer’s main purpose was to promote fellowship among the people of God and to proclaim the saving grace of God to the lost.
The main founder of the Christian Union was James Fowler Given. James Fowler Given lived in Southern Ohio and in Northern Kentucky during the Civil War. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, however, he was kicked out of the pulpit because he did not preach against slavery.
Belief
The Christian Union Church has no creed to bind its members, however, they do hold to seven principles of Christian Union which are…
- The Oneness of the Church of Christ
- Christ as the only head of the church
- The Bible as the only rule of faith and practice
- Good fruits are the one condition of fellowship
- Christian union without any controversy
- Complete independence for all local churches
- The avoidance of all members to do any political preaching.
The Christian Union Church believes the Bible is the inspired, only infallible, authoritative Word of God. They believe there is only one God, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Christian Union Church believes in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. They believe in the conception of Jesus by the Virgin Mary. They also believe Jesus Christ was sinless, performed miracles, in His atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and in glory.
The Christian Union Church believes at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ the bodies of the righteous dead will be raised and the living true believers will be changed into the likeness to the glorious body of Christ. They believe in the oneness of the church of Christ and that it is made up of believers who are Spirit regenerated. They believe these believers both living and dead shall be caught up together at the Second Coming of Jesus.
The Christian Union Church believes salvation is wholly by grace from the Father, based on repentance toward God and an acceptance of Jesus Christ by faith. They believe God justifies and regenerates them. They believe justification absolves sinners from punishment and restores them to divine favor.
The Christian Union Church believes in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. They believe the Holy Spirit personally dwells within them and guides those who are the true believers. It is the Holy Spirit empowers true believers for the service to God, and gives a variety of gifts within their lives so true believers can live the fruits of a Christian life. They believe the Holy Spirit baptizes all believers into Christ at the very moment they are regenerated, and comes to dwell within them.
The Christian Union Church believes both men and women should be ordained ministers. They believe in the ordinances of Baptism, usually by full immersion in water, administered to believers. Other Baptism ways are permitted if the believer so desires.
They believe the Lord’s Supper is be observed by disciples until the return of Jesus Christ. The consecrated bread and wine symbolizes the death and suffering of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins and the total dependence upon Jesus Christ for sustenance. The Lord’s Supper is open to all that are in a right relationship with God no matter the denomination.
The Christian Union Church believes marriage is a sacred institution which is ordained by God. They believe it is a mutual union of one man and one woman and that it morally binds them for as long as they both shall live. They believe marriage cannot be dissolved by any decree of civil courts, however, they do make an exception in the proven case of adultery.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Christian Union: .” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2628,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “Christian Union:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2628,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “Christian Union:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2628, (accessed).
