xxWe Are a Group of Christians

The word church, as it is used in Scripture, is a collectivity of people. It is typically used in reference to:

1) the entire body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23) and
2) a group of Christians in a specific locale (1 Thessalonians 1:1).

The church as the body of Christ is the one that Jesus promised He would build (Matthew 16:18). It is the spiritual body of which there is only one (Ephesians 4:4). It is the body into which we are baptized, in which we are saved, and of which we are members individually (1 Corinthians 12:12,13,27).

Churches as local collectivities of Christians are clearly seen in Acts, Paul's letters and John's book of Revelation. They are spiritual units of which there are many (Acts 15:41). They are assemblies to which the faithful will endeavor to be a part (Hebrews 10:24,25). We are one of those churches of Christ (Romans 16:16)!

We are not part of a denomination or any other religious conglomerate. These organizational structures are of human origin and are foreign to the New Testament. The word church is never used in a denominational sense in Scripture.

xxWe Use an Objective Standard

God's word, and nothing else, is our creed. We reject all human creeds and councils as being, at best, unnecessary and, at worst, additions to the inspired scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16,17; Revelation 22:18,19).

It is to God-breathed words that we turn to determine what needs to be taught and what our work as a church should be. It is within the pages of God's book that we learn how He wants us to worship Him (John 4:23,24) and how we should live our lives (2 Peter 1:3). Appeals to human philosphies, experiences or feelings are inadequate. Only truth as originally revealed in scripture is authoritative. Anything else is anathema (Galatians 1:6-9)!

xxWe Have a Spiritual Agenda

Since God's word is our authority and guide (Psalm 119:105), it should not be surprising that our goals and work are spiritual in nature. Absent are the trappings and gimmicks of many of today's churches. We are not a glorified social club! We are a church belonging to Christ. Therefore we are committed to serving Him in the spiritual ways and means exemplified by first-century churches and as taught by the inspired men of that day.

To learn and teach - Our primary purpose as disciples of Jesus is to learn more about Him, His ways, His truths and His will. We want to share the fruit of our studies with each other and then with those whom we can influence for good (2 Timothy 2:1,2). We are eager to support and facilitate the preaching of the word and the spread of the gospel (Philippians 4:15-18).

To unify - We are eager for unity. We want to work with any and all who share our love for the truth and have submitted themselves to the will of God (1 Corinthians 1:10). We despise that which fosters carnal division (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Hence, our call is for unity that is firmly rooted, not on the traditions and creeds of men (Matthew 15:6; Romans 10:1-3), but on the inspired word of God (Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-15). There is no other true or lasting unity.

To stand - When it comes to truth we will not compromise! We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). We are keenly aware of the humanistic efforts of many to dilute truth into something vague and ambiguous. We are determined not to give into any such perversions or to the pressure to conform what is taught to make it more palatable to the majority (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Faithfulness to God allows no less!

xxOur Worship is in Spirit and Truth

Jesus said that all who would worship God must do so in spirit and truth (John 4:23,24). Since God is spirit it is His desire that our worship be that which eminates from our spirit. Having been created in God's image (Genesis 1:26,27) we have that capability.

Likewise, our worship from the spirit is to be guided by truth. Again, truth is not something subjective that is determined by feeling or experience. God's word is truth! (John 17:17). Therefore, our worship is not designed to appeal to fleshly appetites, nor is it concerned with conformity to the traditions of men, but is intended to be consistent with what God has revealed. The purposes of our assembled worship services are varied, but each purpose is in harmony with God's truth.

To praise - Our purpose is not to glorify and promote ourselves, but to point and lead all to God. As Creator, Sustainer and Savior, God is certainly deserving of our praise. We seek to be a people who are eager to praise God (Acts 2:47; Hebrews 13:15).

To edify - Specifically our gatherings together should be occasions to spiritually motivate one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24,25). As can be seen by looking at some of the first century churches, this motivation can take the form of exhortation and/or correction (2 Timothy 4:2). It can be done through teaching (Acts 20:7), singing (Colossians 3:16), and prayer (Acts 2:42; 21:5).

To remember - On the first day of the week we gather together to partake of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7). Jesus Himself gave us this memorial the night in which He was betrayed (Matthew 26:26-29). Though some first century churches apparently had turned this memorial into an opportunity to satisfy fleshly lusts, we heed the serious admonition of Paul to "eat and drink" in the manner that Jesus intended (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

xxThe Gospel Message We Preach

The way of salvation is through Jesus Christ, and Him alone (John 14:6). If we do not believe in Jesus we will die in our sins (John 8:24). Therefore, we are determined to preach Jesus and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2), no matter how foolish this perishing world may think it is. To those who are being saved this message is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). It is God's power to save (Romans 1:16)!

The message we proclaim is no different than the one preached from the beginning. Jesus told his disciples to "go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19,20). This is the way of making disciples as ordained by the Lord Himself.

Therefore, when the crowd on Pentecost asked, "'What shall we do?' Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;....'" (Acts 2:37,38).

It is from our sins that we seek salvation. Salvation cannot be accomplished through man-made works, but through faith in the working of God and His grace (Colossians 2:12,13). Saving faith is not that which merely accepts the truth, but acts on it as well (James 2:14-26).

It is in faith that we obey and confess the Lord Jesus (Romans 10:9,10). In repentance we seek the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). In baptism we are buried with Christ and our sins are washed away (Romans 6:1-4; Acts 22:16). God's word says that these (faith, repentance and baptism), save us (Ephesians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 Peter 3:21). Are you a child of God? Have you put on Christ (Galatians 3:26,27)? Have you been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)? If we can help you in answering any of these questions, please contact us!

 

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