INTRODUCTION... Many people hesitate to visit a church unless they know what it will be like when they go. We hope this pamphlet will help you know what to expect when you visit us.
WE ARE NOT A DENOMINATION…
Neither are we inter-denominational. It is our sincere desire to be nondenominational, to wear no other name than Christ’s and to be known simply as Christians, members of the body of Christ (Acts 11:26; Ephesians 1:22-23). Collectively we refer to ourselves as the church of Christ, the Lord’s church, or some other scriptural description to identify ourselves as the saved people belonging to Christ (Ephesians 5:23). WE STRIVE TO BE THE SAME CHURCH DESCRIBED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT…
It is our purpose to be identified with the Christians of the first century. We believe this to be possible to all who will learn, believe and be guided by the plain teachings of God’s word. When Jesus declared such to be "the seed of the kingdom" (Luke 8:11), He was emphasizing a known fact of nature that specific kinds of seed, when planted, will always produce after their kind. For example, wheat will always produce wheat. In like manner the word of God, when planted in the hearts of honest people, and obeyed, will produce Christians just like it did in the first century – nothing more and nothing less. WE HAVE NO HUMAN HEAD… There is no man, or group of men, who legislate for the church. We have no one to answer to except Christ our Lord. He is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18). There is no human head. As was true in the first century, there is no human head. As was true in the first century, there is no inter-congregational organization. Congregations in different locations, with Christ as Lord, function independently of each other. According to the authority of Christ, when a church matures to the point where two or more men meet the qualifications, overseers (called bishops, elders and pastors) are appointed to look after the affairs of the local church. Such men are appointed when they meet all the qualifications listed in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 3:5-9. They then have the responsibility to "feed the flock" with spiritual food found in the scriptures, and to be examples to others (I Peter 5:1-3). In the churches of Christ, preachers are not "pastors" (unless they meet the qualifications cited above), but are simply teachers of the gospel. THE BIBLE IS OUR ONLY GUIDE…
Therefore, we have no man-made creeds to follow. We are governed in faith and conducted by the Bible alone. While recognizing the guiding principles of the Old Testament (Hebrews 1:1-2; I Peter 4:11), we accept the Bible as being verbally inspired and infallible in content (II Peter 1:20-21; I Corinthians 2:11-13). Consequently, when the Bible speaks upon any given subject, its pronouncement is accepted as final. By its own testimony, no one may alter a single word with impunity (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19). OUR PLEA FOR UNITY We plead for unity among all who obediently respond to the doctrine and commandments given in the New Testament. Such is in harmony with the prayer of Jesus, and the pleading of the apostles (John 17:29-31; I Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6). We consider such unity to be possible, or Jesus would not have prayed for it. Since division has always been the result of departure from God’s pattern, we believe division can be healed by a return to the revealed truth of God’s word. For this unity we plead. WHAT IS DONE IN OUR ASSEMBLY? Our worship procedures are simple, spiritual and orderly, key-noted by the words of Jesus, who said "true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24). The frenzied emotionalism so common in churches today is absent. Each element of worship finds its origin in the commands and examples found in the New Testament. SINGING The entire assembly joins in the singing of gospel songs. There is no choir or special groups but simple congregational singing. Since there is no evidence in the New Testament that the early church used mechanical instruments to accompany their singing, we do not use them in our worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). PRAYER The congregation is led in prayer by one of the men in the assembly. We pray, not only to praise and thank God, but also to ask for our needs and the needs of others (I Timothy 2:1-4). PREACHING The lessons and sermons are designed to teach God’s word so as to encourage compliance by those who listen. It has become increasingly popular for preachers to appear sensational by discussing subjects not revealed in the Bible and even laying claim to miraculous powers. We make no such claims but provide plain Bible teaching and study. THE LORD’S SUPPER Like the church during the time the New Testament was written, we partake of the Lord’s supper each first day of the week (Acts 20:7). The supper consists of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine as memorials to the body and blood of Jesus (I Corinthians 11:20-34). GIVING AS WE PROSPER We do not take up collection every time we meet, but only on the first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:1-2). Should you attend our Sunday services when the collection is taken, you are not expected to give. This is the responsibility of the members, not the guest. WHERE TO GO? In the midst of the religious confusion of our day, where can the really sincere and honest person go? Go to your Bible. Search the scriptures! Find the church that is in the Bible! Forget about all the different things you have always heard about the church. Find out what the Bible says about it and you will have the truth! To many people are reading the latest popular respected theologian or listening to the "high powered" evangelist that draws the crowds. You need to look for the church in the Bible, and when you find it you can be sure you will find the Bible in the church!
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