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What do Disciples believe?

Like most Christians, Disciples affirm:

 Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God, and offers saving grace to all. All persons are God's children.

Beliefs and practices usually associated with Disciples include:

 Open Communion. The Lord's Supper, or Communion is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all whom believe in Jesus Christ.

 Freedom of Belief. Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit, study and prayer, and are expected to extend that freedom to others.

 Baptism by Immersion. In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored.

 Belief in the oneness of the church. All Christians are called to be one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.

 The ministry of believers. Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service, and spiritual growth.

History of the Disciples Church in America

Two movements in frontier days caused those who believed in Christ to return to the Bible.

James McGready, likened to John the Baptist, and Barton W. Stone arrived in Kentucky in 1796. McGready preached at Caldwell Academy and won many converts. Barton Stone was influence by him and later McGready went to Logan County, an undeveloped frontier area.

Barton W. Stone of Kentucky and Alexander Campbell of Pennsylvania, both Presbyterian Ministers, each had been studying the scriptures with a view to the formation of a church, patterned after the early one. They did not wish the church to be swallowed up in man-made rules, pomp and ceremony, and rituals that were being practiced. They wanted a church that was simple, yet complete.

When Stone and Campbell learned of each other, they came together, deciding that they should work together to form the movement. Barton W. Stone desired to use the Christian, but Alexander Campbell preferred Disciples.

The old Cane Ridge Meeting House, constructed of logs, in 1791, in what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky, is the oldest shrine among our churches. Its minister, Barton W. Stone, first declared there the principles on which our beliefs rest. We have no creed.

We do have four slogans, which summarize our beliefs:

No creed but Christ; no book but the Bible.

Where the scriptures speak, we speak. Where the scriptures are silent; we are silent.

In essentials-unity; in opinion-liberty; in all things-charity.

We are not the only Christian, but Christians only.

Members are free to interpret the scriptures for themselves.

The Cane Ridge revival, August 7-12, 1801 is famous. Estimates are that from 10,000 to 30,000 people came. It was said that Independent, Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian ministers preached right alongside Stone to win the salvation of souls. Truly this movement was important in the Reformation.

The old meeting house was restored in 1932. In 1949, 3,000 came to a three day ceremony which had representatives from 31 states. Cane Ridge Day has been an annual event ever since the 1950's. It is sponsored by the Kentucky Christian Women's Fellowship, but people attend from throughout the United States.

Flags were placed inside the Shrine in 1991, enclosing the Cane Ridge Meeting House. The flags are:

A single chalice bearing the X-shaped cross of St. Andrews, the national cross of Scotland, is the official symbol of our church. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) began in America, but because of the background of our founders, Thomas and Alexander Campbell, we recognize our Scottish roots.

History of the First Christian Church (D.O.C.), Ocala, Flordia

J.P. Harding of Kentucky came to Ocala in 1885 and met in a hall with a group interested in forming a Christian Church. On Sunday, October 27, 1891, Professor J.M. Streator, Principle of the Ocala High School, met with several persons in the home of Dr. R.D. Thompson. About a month later our church was organized and soon a new building was completed (without outside help) on a lot given by Mr. W.M. Etheridge.