Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What denomination is the Atlanta Christian Church?

A: Atlanta Christian Church is an Independent Christian Church (ICC). We do not belong to any denominational organization. We are a self-governing congregation. Yes, there are thousands of ICC congregations across the USA and throughout the world, but each is self-governing while holding the same Biblical beliefs concerning God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Scripture, Salvation, the Lord's Supper, Immersion, and other essentials taught in the Bible.

Q: How did the Christian Church begin?

A: The ICC is part of what is called the Restoration Movement, which began in the early 1800's with two men, Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell. Both men were tired of the division within the Reformation churches (i.e, Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican, etc). Both Stone and Campbell, not knowing each other and living in different parts of the USA, began preaching and teaching that the Bible is the only authoritative source to teach us how to live, govern, and worship. Many people who heard their message agreed, and the ICC was born.

Q: What are the goals of the Restoration Movement?

A: Mainly to free the church of man-made creeds, traditions, and denominational differences that divide the body of Christ; and to restore doctrinal purity by. using the Bible as the source of authority.

Q: What makes the Christian Church different from other churches?

A: The most recognizable characteristic that distinguishes the ICC from other denominational churches is the emphasis placed on Scripture alone as our rule of faith. Out of the Restoration Movement have come some sayings that help pinpoint the emphasis ICC congregations place on scripture. Here are a few:

• "No book but the Bible; no creed but Christ; no name but the divine name."

• "Where the Bible speaks,  we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent."

• "In doctrine, unity; in opinion, liberty. In all things, love."

We want to be very careful to handle God's Word correctly and to teach responsibly the essential truths that God has revealed to man concerning our sin, God's redemptive work, and the Christian life. Our intent is not to belittle anyone's faith or any church's teachings. Our desire is to lift up Christ as the head of His Church and call all Christians to complete obedience to God's Word and His will for our lives.

Q: What are some of the doctrinal differences between ICC congregations and other denominations?

A: Actually, there are more similarities between ICC congregations and many denominations than there are differences. The common ground is that we worship the same God and believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior, through whom we receive forgiveness of sin, salvation, and eternal life through His voluntary death on the cross. So, on many points, there are similarities. Some of the differences would be in what the Scriptures teach about: 

• Original sin (the teaching that when we are born, we are sinful beings). Jesus says in Scripture that the kingdom of God belongs to the little children and that we must become like THEM (innocent) to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:14).

• The Lord's Supper. Scripture teaches that one reason the early church met together every Lord's Day was to break bread (Acts 20:7). The early Christians were devoted to this act of worship (Acts 2:42). 

• Baptism (its mode and purpose). The Scriptural precedent for the mode of baptism is immersion. The Greek word baptizo (in English, "baptism") means to dip or to immerse. Scriptural precedent is also clear about the purpose of baptism: for the taking away of sin (Acts 2:38), for salvation (Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21), and for receiving the Holy Spirit into our lives (Acts 2:38).

We know we are not perfect, nor are we the only Christians. Our desire, however, is to be Christians only, united in faith and obedience to God.