What is the church of Christ?
The Name | The Bible is All Sufficient | The Worship | The Music | Membership | We Invite You to Investigate
Have you ever wondered
about these people who call themselves, "the church of Christ?" Many
have misconceptions about the church. It is our aim and prayer that
we can challenge you to come and attend our classes and worship and
become better acquainted with us. It is also our desire that your
heart might be pricked as those hearts were on the day of Pentecost
(Acts 2:37), thus causing you to have a desire to become a child of
God.
The Name
Many people look at the term "church of Christ" and assume that we are just another denomination among many. However, this is not the case. We are not a denomination we are neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jewish, rather we are members of the one church (Eph.1:22-23; Col.1:18) which Jesus died for (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.1:18-19). The name “church of Christ" simply shows ownership; that is, that we (the church) belong to Christ. The term "church" as it is used in the Bible never refers to a physical structure rather it is always used to refer to a people. "Church of Christ" is a Biblical term and therefore one that will please God (Rom.16:16).
There are other biblical descriptions of the church such as "the body of Christ" (1 Cor.12:27), "the household of faith" (Gal.6:10), or "the church of God" (1 Cor.1:2). All of these phrases describe ownership. There is no authority to use a name that is not biblical. Paul stated: "Whatsoever do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,..." (Col.3:17). "In the name of the Lord Jesus" means by His authority.
The followers of Christ
were called Christians, "...the disciples were called Christians
first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). Peter said in reference to these
people, "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (1 Pet.4:16). This
is the name in which we glorify God, no one can glorify God in any
other name.
The Bible Is All-Sufficient
We believe that the Bible is all-sufficient. By the term, "all-sufficient," we simply mean that one will find all that is needed within the Bible to guide his footsteps to heaven. Paul said, "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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim.3:16-17). The word "perfect" means to be complete, Paul places further emphasis on this thought by saying that the man of God is "thoroughly furnished" meaning completely furnished. Thus we learn that with God's word (the Bible) we can be completely outfitted, lacking in nothing as it pertains to God's will. Paul also stated, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom.1:16). If the gospel was all that Paul needed, then it is all that we need today, for it is still the "power of God unto salvation". John informed us that we are not to take away or add to this book, and if we do, "God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city..." (Rev.22:18-19).
The so called, "still,
small voices," "direct operation of the Spirit," "an inner light,"
or "superior philosophies," are superfluous and vain. We do not need
any "latter-day revelations". The Bible is complete. Peter said,
"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that
pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that
hath called us to glory and virtue "(2 Pet.1:3).
Man-made creeds and by-laws
only serve to distract us from the truth. Therefore, we reject all
creeds and by-laws of men. Our only creed is Jesus Christ; our only
law is the Bible.
The Worship
We
read in the book of Acts that the early Christians, "...continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). If we are to please
God, then we must do the same as did the early Christians. Jesus
said "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in
spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). We worship in spirit when our
spirit is communing with God who is Spirit. To worship in truth
means that all that we do must be done in accordance with the word
of God. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John
17:17).
God
has given us a pattern to follow when it comes to worship.
Therefore, as did the early Christians, so do we gather together
upon the Lord's Day to observe the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7; I
Cor.11:24-26). This they did every first day of the week, therefore
we must do the same. They were also commanded to give as they had
prospered upon the first day of the week, (1 Cor. 16:1-2). We
likewise lay by in store and give on the first day of the week as
God has prospered us. On this day, as well as other times when we
come together, we place great emphasis on preaching and teaching
God's word, (2 Tim.2:15). We also understand that God has placed
great emphasis on prayer in the life of Christians (Acts 2:42;
Jam.5:16-17).
The Music
When Christians come together to worship God they are commanded to sing (Eph.5:19; Col. 3:16). We are opposed to mechanical instruments of music in worship to God. The reason for this is because they are not authorized. Nowhere within the pages of the New Testament will one read of Christians using the mechanical instrument of music in their worship to God. In every reference that is made in regards to the kind of music which God desires of His people it is always vocal music (singing), (Matt.26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom.15:9; 1 Cor.14:15; Eph.5:19; Col.3:16; Jam.5:13). Paul said, "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.10:17). He also stated, "...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom.14:23b). The church of our Lord must not add to nor take away from that which God has revealed (Rev.22:18-19). Thus we will not use mechanical instruments of music in our worship to God.
Membership
Terms of membership in denominations are often different than those found in the New Testament church. For example, one will not find in scripture churches voting to allow one to be a member of a local church. You will find that the Lord added the saved to the church (Acts 2:47). The Lord has revealed what man must do in order to be saved.
- One must hear the gospel: "faith comes by hearing the word of God"
Rom.10:17
- One must believe: "without faith it is impossible to please God"
Heb.11:6
- One must repent: God "commands all men, everywhere to repent" Acts
17:30
- One must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Matt.10:32;
Rom.10:10
- One must be baptized for the remission of sins: Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; John 3:5
Unlike the "churches" around us, we believe that unless a person is baptized for the remission of sins, they cannot be saved. It is by means of baptism that one enters into the kingdom (John 3:5). If a person is not in the kingdom of the Lord, then he is in the kingdom of Satan, there are no other kingdoms. By baptism we mean immersion. The Bible always speaks of baptism as a burial (Acts 8:35-39; Rom.6:3-4; Col.2:12). Pouring and sprinkling are not substitutes for immersion.
WE INVITE YOU TO INVESTIGATE
It is our sincere prayer
that you will come and investigate the church of Christ in Jefferson
City. You will find people who are kind and loving. You will
find people who are dedicated to doing all that God has enjoined
upon them. We pray that it is your desire to do the same. May God
bless you in your studies of His Holy Word.