The New Testament is the only place to which we can turn to learn about the church of Christ. We recall that the church is described as the eternal purpose of God (Eph. 3:9-11). It is obviously very important.
First, the church was built and purchased by Christ (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28). No one has the right to start a church as a divinely approved institution (cf. 1 Cor. 1:10-13). Christ, the Son of God, is the only one qualified, and he has established his church (cf. Eph. 4:4; 1:22-23).
Second, the church that belongs to Christ began on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. The Lord’s church was founded by Christ through the preaching of the apostles in Jerusalem, corresponding to Old Testament prophecy (Is. 2:2-4).
Third, only divinely appointed names were worn by the church. Such designations like church of Christ (Rom. 16:16) and church of God (1 Cor. 1:2) are scriptural names that describe the church as belonging to Christ and God.
Fourth, being saved is the way to membership in the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47). A person must have faith in Jesus as the Son of God (Jn 20:30-31; Jn. 8:24), repent of sin (Acts 17:30), confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead (Rom. 10:9,10), and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
Fifth, the Lord’s church honors the authority of Christ. From the start, the church respected the Lord as the head of the church, for “... they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).
We have no headquarters anywhere in this world. The church is the body of Christ, and He is its only head (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23). We have no governing body that determines doctrine or policy. Rather, following the pattern laid out in the Bible, each congregation is autonomous, self-governing. We have no creed book, manual or official statement of church doctrine. The Bible is our only authority as to what we believe, teach and practice (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
Our Worship
Our worship is simple, focused on expressing our adoration for God, and conforms to His will as communicated in scripture. We meet every first day of the week to commemorate, through the Lord’s Supper, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for our sins (Acts 20:7). We sing praises to God a cappella (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), just as was done by the church for hundreds of years after its establishment on this earth. We openly study and teach God’s word (2 Timothy 4:2). We pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, protection, forgiveness and blessings (1 Timothy 2:1; James 1:5; 5:13, 16). We give back to God from the financial blessings with which He has blessed us (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
Our Mission
Our mission is to teach the gospel of Christ throughout the world (Mark 16:15-16). Jesus Christ is our only savior (Acts 4:12), and there is no way to God except through Him (John 14:6). All are guilty of sin (Romans 3:23), and the consequence of sin is spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Forgiveness and salvation await all “in Christ” (Romans 8:1). The gospel is God’s message of salvation through Christ (Romans 1:16).
God’s plan for man’s salvation is simple and straightforward. It is only by God’s grace through faith that we can be saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). As a person responds to God’s offer of grace by repenting of his sin (Acts 3:19), confessing his faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32-33) and submitting to baptism “into Christ” (Romans 6:3), his sins will be cleansed by the blood shed by the Lord on the cross (Acts 22:16; Hebrews 9:27-28). He then begins a new life of faithfulness to God (2 Cor. 5:17; Revelation 2:10).
Our intent is to speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent, to submit to God’s will as communicated in His word in all matters of faith. We want to let the light of Christ shine through us, helping those around us find the way to eternal life in Heaven.
We would love to talk with you about taking your place in the Lord’s church. “The churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16)…