About The church of Christ
Who We Are
We are simply Christians—people who have turned away from sinful ways of living, rejected the false teachings of the world, and sought to please God by obeying His will. By obeying God’s form of doctrine—the gospel of Jesus Christ—we have become members of Christ’s body, His church, and nothing more.
Jesus said, “UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH” (Matthew 16:18). He fulfilled this promise in Acts chapter 2, establishing His church and purchasing it with His own blood (Acts 20:28). After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter preached the gospel in Jerusalem, and about 3,000 souls obeyed the message that day. Scripture records, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved;” Acts 2:47.
We are that same church today.
Because of this, we are not a denomination and are not affiliated with any larger religious organization. Denominationalism is based on division, which is clearly condemned in Scripture:
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God;” Ephesians 4:3-6.
Our Authority
We follow no creeds and no commandments of men. We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and is complete and sufficient for our faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16–17). We accept and submit to the Bible as our only standard of authority (Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11).
We encourage everyone to follow the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:11—to search the Scriptures daily and examine whether what we teach aligns with the revealed word of God.
The Mission of the Church
Jesus clearly defined the mission of His church:
“To seek and save the lost” – Luke 19:10.
The Bible shows that the church’s responsibility is to spread the gospel, which is “The power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16).
We appeal to all people to reject religious concepts based on human wisdom and tradition. Our desire is that honest truth-seekers accept the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ and pattern their lives after the truth found in God’s word.
Our Worship
Our worship is simple, reverent, and patterned entirely after what is revealed in the New Testament. We strive to greet all visitors with kindness and impartiality (Acts 10:34–35; Gal. 3:28), and we practice only those things for which we find biblical authority, doing so with order and reverence (1 Cor. 14:33 & 40).
Prayer
One of the men of the congregation leads the assembly in reverent, orderly prayer (1 Tim. 2:1–5).
The Lord’s Supper
Each Sunday—the Lord’s Day—you will see the congregation partaking of the Lord’s Supper. We eat unleavened bread and drink the fruit of the vine in remembrance of Christ’s death (Matt. 26:26–29). We observe this every Sunday, following the example of first-century Christians (Acts 20:7).
Giving
A collection is taken only on Sunday and at no other time (1 Cor. 16:1–3). The work of the congregation is supported by freewill offerings.
Singing
Like the Christians of the first century, we sing a cappella—songs, hymns, and spiritual songs—without the use of mechanical instruments (Eph. 5:19). The words we sing are understandable (1 Cor. 14:15) and are offered from the heart (Col. 3:16).
Teaching and Preaching
Teaching and preaching God’s word is a central part of our assembly. We strive to proclaim only the truth as it is recorded in Scripture (Colossians 3:17; 1 Timothy 3:15).
The Organization of the Church
Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is the head of the church:
“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body” Ephesians 1:22–23.
Because the church has a heavenly head, it has no earthly headquarters. There are no councils, synods, or governing bodies where men decide doctrine or practice. All authority belongs to Jesus Christ alone. As there is only one head, there is also only one body (Col. 1:18).
The Bible does speak of multiple local congregations, but they are not different in doctrine or organization. Each follows the same teaching and pattern, as shown in 1 Corinthians 4:17:
“I have sent to you Timothy,… and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.”
At the local level, congregations are overseen by qualified elders:
“Therefore, I exhort the elders,… shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God;” 1 Peter 5:1–2.
Deacons also serve as part of a scripturally organized church (1 Timothy 3).
Our Message of Salvation
The Bible teaches that sin separates mankind from God. As a result, all people share a common need—the forgiveness of sins. Our message is simple: obey the gospel. The gospel leads people to Christ and into His church, where forgiveness is found.
We believe that salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–10). God’s grace, shown through Christ’s death on the cross, is freely given, yet Scripture clearly teaches that there are conditions to receiving it.
Here is what the Bible teaches for those who are outside of Christ and desire forgiveness of sins:
Hear the Gospel
Romans 10:17 – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Matthew 13:9 – He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Believe and Have Faith
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
John 20:30-31 – And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
Repent of Sin
Luke 13:3 – I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Acts 17:30 – Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
Confess Jesus Christ
Rom. 10:9-10 – that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Be Baptized for the Remission of Sins
Acts 2:38 – 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; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:16 – He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Live Faithfully
Revelations 2:10 – … Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
10:22 – And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
1 Cor. 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
An Invitation
This is not a modern idea or a man-made religious system. This is God’s plan, recorded in the inspired Word of God.
How can we help you? If you would like to study the Bible with us, please reach out. We would love to walk with you through the New Testament so you can see for yourself what the Bible teaches.