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In this article, I have tried to briefly outline the basic things
which you should expect when visiting a faithful church of Christ.
Friendliness
When you visit with us, you can expect to find friendly people
who are genuinely concerned about you. You will be our honored guest.
God does not show partiality to men (Acts 10:34-35). Likewise,
Christians assembling at the church of Christ on Moultrie
Road in Thomasville do not show partiality toward men (cf.
Rom. 12:9-16; Jas. 2:1-13).
Order
Paul commands that all things in the church be done decently and
in order (1 Cor. 14:40).
During our worship services, you will see that we have a preset
order which has been determined in accordance with God's word. One
man will make announcements, another will lead singing, others will
lead prayers, and another will serve the Lord's Supper and take
up the collection.
During our Bible classes, you will see the class courteously conducted
in an edifying manner. We search the Scriptures diligently to rightly
divide God's word.
A Church of Christ
The word "church" means a called out body. Christians are the people
who respond to God's gospel call (2 Th. 2:14).
When you visit with us, you will find people who have obeyed God's
call to be saved (Acts 2:40- 47). They have been born again (Jn.
3:5; 1 Pet. 1:22-23) and added to the church (Acts 2:47; cf. Rom.
16:16).
A Church Abiding in the Doctrine
of Christ
We must abide in the doctrine (i.e., teaching) of Christ to have
both the Father and the Son (2 Jn. 1:9). We cannot transgress by going
beyond what God has commanded in His word (1 Cor. 4:6).
When you visit with us, you will see that we only teach and do
the things which are authorized in God's word. Scripture is our
only guide (2 Tim. 3:15-17). We neither add to God's word nor take
away from God's word (Rev. 22:18-19).
A Church Obeying Jesus
When you visit with us, you will find a church obeying Jesus.
The church is Christ's body over which God made Him the Head (Eph.
1:22-23). A church of Christ (cf. Rom. 16:16) obeys Jesus (Heb.
5:9; Eph. 5:24) thus abiding in His doctrine (2 Jn. 1:9; 2 Tim. 3:15-17).
Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to those who obey Him
(Heb. 5:9; cf. 1 Pet. 1:22-23). He is the Savior of the church (Eph.
5:23; 1:22-23). We must be members of Jesus' church to be saved
(Eph. 5:23; Rev. 2:10; cf. Acts 2:47).
Worship in Spirit and Truth
We must worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:21-24).
God's word is truth (Jn. 17:17). And, Jesus as the word is the
truth (Jn. 1:1; 14:6). Therefore, we worship in spirit and truth
by worshiping according to the manner prescribed in God's word.
If we attempt to worship God according to the commandments and
traditions of men, our worship is vain (Matt. 15:8-9; Col. 2:20-23).
When you visit with us, you will find that our worship is based
on the truth revealed in God's word. We neither add to the worship
commanded by God nor take away from the worship commanded by God
(cf. Acts 2:42).
Our worship on the first day of the week is orderly (1 Cor. 14:40)
consisting of:
- prayers (Eph. 6:18; 1 Th. 5:17).
- singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
- taking up a contribution (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
- preaching and teaching (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 20:7).
- partaking of the Lord's Supper (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:17-33).
Edifying Bible Classes
When you visit our Bible classes, you will find that they are edifying
(1 Cor. 13:26; Eph. 4:11- 12). The word of God is rightly divided
(2 Tim. 2:15) and the Scriptures are not twisted (2 Pet. 3:16).
Therefore, the church is stimulated to love and good works (Heb.
10:2-25).
The Bereans are set forth in God's word as a good example of people
receiving God's word. They searched the Scriptures daily to find
out whether the things Paul taught were so (Acts 17:11). The result
was that many of them believed (Acts 17:12).
When you visit with us, you will see that we diligently search
the Scriptures rightly dividing God's word. Correspondingly, we
believe and practice the things which are authorized in God's word
(1 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:17; Rev. 22:18-19).
Salvation in Christ
When visiting with us, you will find that we teach salvation as
authorized by Jesus (Matt. 28:18- 19).
Jesus has commanded us to:
- believe (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:16; Jn. 8:24; Heb. 11:6).
- repent (Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38).
- confess Him (Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:10).
- be baptized (Matt. 28:18-19; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1
Pet. 3:21).
- remain faithful until death (Rev. 2:10).
As a church of Christ, we teach the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 1:9;
cf. 2 Tim. 3:15-17). So when you visit with us, you will hear us
teach exactly what Jesus taught on salvation - nothing more or less.
If you are not a Christian, you will have the opportunity to obey
the gospel of Jesus Christ at every service.
If you wish, we will show you God's commands in the Bible and help
you obey that very hour of the day. And you can be like the obedient
Ethiopian eunuch who was baptized and went on his way rejoicing
(Acts 8:38-39).
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