THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST - WHO WE ARE?

THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST - WHO ARE WE?

Winston S Chambers.

We are simply a group of Christians - members of Christ's body, His church, nothing else!  

Jesus said, “UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH;” (Matthew 16:18).  This He did and purchased the church with His own Blood (Acts 20:28). After Jesus' resurrection and ascension into heaven, Peter taught the people in Jerusalem in Acts Chapter two about the salvation offered through Christ's death, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved;” Acts 2:47. We (those of us who have forsaken our ways, our beliefs, our practices, our sinful lifestyles, and surrendered to God through Christ Jesus, and obeyed God's form of doctrine from the heart), we are that church.

Therefore, we are not a denomination nor part of a larger religious order. No way! Denominationalism is based upon division, which is clearly condemned in the Scriptures:  “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God;” Ephesians 4:3-6.

Our Authority:

We believe the Bible is the voice of God:  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work;” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. 

We therefore look only to the Bible as our source of authority in religion and renounce all man-made creeds. 

The Bible clearly forbids following the commandments of men, no matter how pious and sincere they may seem: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men;" Matthew 15: 8, 9. If we will set aside our preconceived notions and take God at His word, we can understand His will for us today.  As the apostle Paul explains, “By revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ);” Ephesians 3:2-4.

The Mission Of The Church:

The Bible shows the church's prime directive to be simply teaching the gospel:  “The power of God for salvation;" Romans 1:16.  Paul characterizes the church as, "The pillar and support of the truth;” 1 Timothy 3:15. 

Our goal is heaven, and our focus is Christ.  He has the words of eternal life; (John 6:68).  If we will teach His word and people will accept it and follow Him, God promises forgiveness and eternal life:  “If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you will also abide in the Son and in the Father.  And this is the promise which He has made to us:  eternal life;” 1 John 2:24, 25.

You will read nothing here about recreational, social, or political programs, for these things are not part of the work of the church. 

Worship Activities:

First of all, when you visit our services, you will find all are greeted with equal courtesy and kindness (Acts 10:34, 35).   Additionally, you will not be confused by many people who all speaking at the same time. Good order will prevail at every worship service, as one of the brethren reverently leads the congregation (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). No one will be embarrassed or singled out for any sort of demonstration or testimony. You will be able to quietly observe and study that which is taught. 

These are the things you will find us doing in our worship assemblies:

Communion:  

On the first day of every week, we assemble to observe the Lord's Supper.  Paul writes, “The Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, 'This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way He took the cup also;” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. 

Collections:  

Also, in Sunday assemblies, we cheerfully and purposefully contribute to the work of the church of our own free will as directed:  “On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper;” 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2.  We do not resort to pressure tactics or ask non-members to financially support our work.  Neither do we engage in any other fund raising activities, such as rummage sales and bingo games.

Prayer: 

At every assembly, prayer is a part of what we do.  As Paul instructs, “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension;” 1 Timothy 2:8.

Singing: 

You will find us joyously blending our voices as simply instructed:  “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with our heart to the Lord;” Ephesians 5:19.  You will also notice we use no instrumental accompaniment.  God desires individual participation and praise from a sincere heart rather than an extravagant entertainment production.  We come together for edification, not amusement. 

Preaching: 

Christians attentively listen to God's word taught in worship assemblies.  Paul charged Timothy to “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths;” 2 Timothy 4:2-5. 

The Church's Organization:

Scripture indicates that Jesus is the head of the church:  “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body;” Ephesians 1:22, 23.  It stands to reason that, having a heavenly head; the church has no earthly headquarters.  We have no councils or synods where men decide what the church is to do.  All legislative authority belongs solely to Christ in heaven.  Moreover, as there is only one head, Christ also has but one body. Col.1: 18

Only in regard to various local bodies does the Bible speak of a plurality of churches.  However, this is not to say they are churches of a different type. They all have the same divinely appointed head, mission, teaching, practice, and organization, as 1 Corinthians 4:17 clearly shows: “I have sent to you Timothy,… and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.”

On the local level, the executive government of churches rests upon qualified elders among those bodies within scriptural limits: “Therefore, I exhort the elders,… shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God;” 1 Peter 5:1, 2. Deacons are also part of a scripturally organized church (1 Timothy 3). 

Our Message

The Bible teaches that a man is separated from God when he sins.  Therefore, mankind has a common need: the forgiveness of sins.  Our simple message to people is to obey the gospel.  The gospel will lead people to Christ and into His church where forgiveness is found.

We believe that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). The grace of God, demonstrated in Christ's death on the cross, is free, but there are conditions required of those who would receive it. Many different man-made teachings and theories are heard in religions today concerning forgiveness.  Here is what the Bible says about it: For anyone living outside of Christ and want to receive forgiveness of sins, he or she must...

Hear: 

We all know that if we want to know of a thing or of a place we will have to hear of it. Likewise, the Bible teaches that for a person to become obedient to Christ, he or she must hear in order to learn of Him. John 6:45.  The said person who is seeking to become right with God must hear the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). That person must hear in order to believe. Romans 10:14  

Believe: 

The word describes trust or faith.  It is a total reliance upon God, not just a mental acceptance of facts.  “And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him;” Hebrews 11:6. True faith is willing to act upon what is believed:  “What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works?… For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead;” James 2:14, 26.  Faith is obtained by listening to God's word (Romans 10:17).

Repentance: 

This is a change of mind that brings about a change in behavior.  The Scriptures plainly teach that our conduct must not be habitually sinful: “Therefore, bear fruit in keeping with repentance;” Matthew 3:8. Repentance is a command and hence a condition for salvation: “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent;” Acts 17:30.

Confession: 

Believers must not be ashamed of their faith.  Jesus said, “Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven;” Matthew 10:32, 33. This obviously identifies confession as a condition for being saved. 

Baptism: 

We contact the life-giving blood of Jesus Christ in the waters of baptism: “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life;” Romans 6:3, 4.  Furthermore, the apostle Peter distinctly classifies baptism as essential to salvation: Corresponding to that Peter said, “baptism now saves us -- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience -- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 3:21.

As I close this segment of information, I would like to ask you these questions:

1: Is your religion following the instructions of the Bible just as they are here?

2: Does your religion worship God as instructed in the Bible and are depicted here?

3: What did your religion teach you in order to become obedient to Jesus Christ?

4: Does your religion teaches as taught by the Bible that in order for you to become a Christian, you must follow the five steps  depicted above? 

5: Was your Baptism scripturally taught?

And now what are you waiting for? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins…. Acts 22:16 

You’ve got a soul to loose in hell if you do not follow God’s word as He intended.

You’ve got heaven to gain should you become obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live a holy and faithful life unto death. Rev.2:10

God has done His part, Jesus did His for you too and the preacher has done what he’s got to do, the rest is now up to you.  

Come now, obey the gospel and let's live for God and go to heaven, will you?

       ©winston s chambers