Please Investigate The Church(s) of Christ

The founder of the church of Christ was Christ Himself (Matthew 16:13-19). The church was planned from eternity by God (Ephesians 3:8-11). It is not a denomination started by men, but is the body of Christ for which He shed His precious blood as the purchase price (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25; Ephesians 1:22-23; Matthew 15:13; Psalm 127:1).

You can read about the church of Christ it in the New Testament-(Matthew 16:13- 19; Romans 16:16). There are other names by which this "one body" is called, Christians accept them all (1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Hebrews 12:22-28; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18,24; Ephesians 2:13-17; 3:1-6; 4:1-6).

A faithful local New Testament church uses no creed but the Bible and it members wear no name as a proper name but the proper noun, Christian - (John 12:48; Luke 6:46; John 16:12-13; Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9-10; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Peter 4:16; Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Corinthians 1:10-12).

Local churches limit their teaching to "speaking where the Bible speaks remaining silent where the Bible is silent" -( 1 Peter 4:11; Galatians 1:6-10; Hebrews 7:14; Revelation 22:18-19). As individuals or as a local collective, we seek to exalt Christ as the only head of His church both on earth as well as in heaven -(Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:23).

Christians meet for worship in the local assembly and it is always patterned after the New Testament example - (John 4:24; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:17; Acts 12:5). No practices are introduced into our individual or collective worship if there is no authority from the will of Christ in His "perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25; John 16:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3).

Faithful churches of Christ teach unity based upon the truth of Christ as we attempt to honor His prayer and the teachings of His inspired apostles - (John 17:21; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Romans 16:16-18; Jude 3). We plead for unity of all believers in Christ in this one spiritual body - (1 Corinthians 1:10-12; 3:1-5; Ephesians 4:4-6; John 10:16; Ephesians 2:13-17; Acts 2:22-38,40-41,47).

Actually the church neither in the local sense nor the universal, formulates doctrine. If a local church of Christ teaches anything other than that which is authorized in the New Testament, to that extent they fail to be a "sound congregation" of the New Testament order period. In which case the Lord eventually (the time being up to Him ket) will "remove their lampstand" or their identity as belonging to Him (Revelation 2:5). The only working unit or collectively know or authorized for church work is the local congregation under the oversight of qualified men known by any of the following names; elders, pastors, bishops (Acts 20:17,28; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrews 13:7,17). There must always be a plurality in each local church of Christ. Under their oversight the evangelist, preacher, or minister along with deacons and other saints work and worship in a given community strictly abiding in "the apostle's doctrine" (Acts 2:42; 15:24; Galatians 1:6-11; 2 John 9-10).

Our aim, our basic mission as the "pillar and ground of the truth" 1 Timothy 3:15, is to save souls by leading them to Christ through the gospel - ( Romans 1:16-17; 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:8-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Galatians 3:26-29). We attempt to save the lost, edify the membership, and provide for our own needy as the threefold function of a local congregation of the New Testament order (Ephesians 4:12-16; 1 Corinthians 16:1- 2; Romans 15:25-26; 1 Timothy 5:16; Acts 6:1-6). We have no social, recreational, nor political agenda as a church, for such was never assigned to local congregations of the New Testament order in the first century when men guided by the Holy Spirit were among them. We hold that "the sum total of what local churches of Christ engaged themselves in while thus guided forms the pattern for what they may engage in today with Christ's approval, since they were guided into "all truth" (John 16:13), and gave us "all things pertaining to life and godliness..."(2 Peter 1:3), and the scriptures "furnish us unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Its future is eternal glory with Christ - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:23-24; Ephesians 5:22-33). Since "reconciliation unto God is in one body by the cross" Ephesians 2:13-16, we urge you to set up a study with a member of the body of Christ at your earliest convenience so we may pursue these things in more detail, and lead you out of darkness and into the marvelous light of the glorious gospel of Christ (John 12:46; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Colossians 1:13-14; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:45-49; Mark 16:15-16; John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5).

One of the major characteristics of Christians is the abiding love and concern we share for one another. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know you are My disciples, if you have love one for another" (John 13:35). This love is expressed in various ways of course. The main one being concern for the spiritual well-being of one another to the extent that when any member stumbles into sin, others are quick to make attempts to "restore such an one" (Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:19-20). Too, when one is unable to provide for his own necessities and for those of one's own family as commanded (1 Timothy 5:8), others come to their assistance (1 John 3:17). Sometimes it becomes a congregational responsibility as in (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Romans 15:25-26; 1 Timothy 5:16).

Question: Are you interested in such a study? If so, please give us a call so an appointment can be made for a bible study class absolutely FREE of any financial cost to you. We can meet at your house or ours. We can meet at the meeting house where the (fill in the name) church of Christ assembles where we may have access to my library. The main book we will be concerned with however is the Book of books, the bible. Call either of the following numbers: (CONTACT INFORMATION)

We would also welcome you to come visit our assemblies at any time. We meet each Lord's day A.M. at XX:XX for Bible study classes for all ages. Preaching at XX:XX A.M. and again in the evening at X:XX P.M. We also provide bible study classes for all ages again on Wednesday evenings at 7:XX P.M. You are urged to attend. A cordial welcome awaits you to meet with the (fill in name ) church of Christ.

Return to What is the Church of Christ

borrowed from Kenneth E. Thomas

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