What is the International Christian Church?

Definition and Overview

The International Christian Church is a religious movement that seeks to imitate the faith, structure, and zeal of the first-century Church described in the New Testament. It places a high emphasis on personal discipleship, evangelism, and communal living modeled on passages such as Acts 2:42–47. While relatively modern in its organizational formation, it aims to continue the traditions recorded in Scripture, teaching that all believers should strive for wholehearted devotion to Christ (Matthew 22:37) and active participation in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20).

Origins and Historical Context

The International Christian Church traces its origins to a larger Restoration-type movement that sought to return to the practices of the earliest believers. Leaders involved in this branch emphasized the format of small-group discipling and accountability, believing this model best captures the apostolic teaching of “spurring one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

Many Restoration movements since the early 19th century have also proclaimed a goal of restoring “New Testament Christianity.” By contrast, the International Christian Church organized around the mid-2000s, intending to reinforce rigorous discipleship standards. Various archaeological findings, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, have confirmed the preservation of many Old Testament writings, lending confidence to the scriptural texts that also guided the principles upon which the ICC was built.

Core Doctrinal Emphases

The International Christian Church largely holds traditional Christian teachings:

• Centrality of Scripture: Emphasizes the Bible as the inerrant word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The importance of accurate transcription is often underscored by citing the consistency found in early manuscripts, including those stored in the Chester Beatty Library and confirmed through textual comparisons.

• Lordship of Jesus Christ: Affirms that Jesus is the Son of God, substantiated by historical references in works like those of the historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18) and the Roman historian Tacitus (Annals 15.44). They teach that the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) is a historical fact foundational to Christianity.

• Baptism and Discipleship: Stresses immersion in water (Romans 6:3–4) as an integral step of obedience to Christ and entrance into the fellowship of believers. Their structured discipling approach reflects the biblical examples found in Acts 8:26–40, where Philip personally guides the Ethiopian official.

• Evangelistic Zeal: Champions the practice of personally sharing faith and “making disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19–20). Historical precedent in the early Church (Acts 2:41–47; Acts 4:31) is held up as the model to follow.

Structure and Governance

Local congregations within the International Christian Church typically follow a system of centralized leadership. This includes:

• Evangelist or Lead Minister: Takes responsibility for preaching, shepherding, and guiding the local body, emphasizing preaching the word “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).

• Discipleship Groups: Members meet in small, cell-like groups for Bible study, prayer, and strengthening one another’s faith (Colossians 3:16). This structure parallels the pattern seen in the early Church, where believers met in both temples and homes (Acts 2:46).

• Accountability and Reporting: Frequent gatherings and close mentoring relationships are enforced, reflecting the biblical principle that believers are not to “forsake the assembling” (Hebrews 10:25) and should “watch out for one another.”

Beliefs and Practices

1. Weekly Communal Worship: Churches gather weekly to share in the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19–20) and to hear preaching from Scripture.

2. Outreach Events and Conferences: Larger gatherings often include teaching sessions, testimonies of lives transformed, and mission-focused training.

3. Intense Personal Mentorship: Members seek spiritual growth through close accountability with a designated “discipler,” aiming to “imitate … as I imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Encouragement of Worldwide Mission

Many in the International Christian Church view themselves as catalysts for global missionary activity. This mirrors historical Christian outreach efforts, such as the missionary journeys of Paul recorded in Acts chapters 13–28. Such modern missions are often well-documented through personal testimonies, public baptisms, and the founding of new congregations in multiple countries.

Evidence of the broader truth claims about God’s sovereignty and creation also appears in scientific spheres: for instance, modern discoveries of irreducible complexity in biology affirm that nature exhibits signs of design. Proponents of a young earth model may reference flood geology findings (e.g., sedimentary layers consistent with rapid burial) as they see parallels with the global Flood account in Genesis 6–9. While not all Christian groups would interpret the data identically, adherents in the International Christian Church frequently hold to an acceptance of Scripture’s authority — including Genesis as the historical record of creation (Genesis 1:1).

Impact and Reception

• Positive Influence: Reports of changed lives, focused discipleship, and enthusiastic evangelism often accompany the unveiling of new congregations. Many laud the movement for fostering close-knit communities and providing clear spiritual direction.

• Critiques and Controversies: Some have expressed concerns about stringent practices, close membership oversight, and high expectations of financial giving. While not universal, these critiques highlight tension between rigorous discipleship models and the individual autonomy typically valued in broader Christian circles. Nonetheless, leaders often cite biblical paradigms of communal care (Acts 4:32–35) as their blueprint.

Conclusion

The International Christian Church stands as a modern extension of restoration-focused ideals, determined to replicate the devotion and structure of the earliest New Testament communities. It adheres to core Christian doctrines—such as the lordship of Jesus, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of baptism—and prizes active evangelism to fulfill Christ’s mandate to “make disciples of all nations.” Historical, textual, and (for some) scientific arguments are marshaled to substantiate the church’s conviction in the reliability of Scripture and the factual basis for Christ’s resurrection. While balancing strong discipleship methodology with personal freedoms remains an ongoing conversation, the group’s members continue to look to biblical passages, archaeological discoveries, and historical testimonies to anchor their community in what they understand as the timeless truth of God’s word.