Welcome to Church of Christ
The Church of Christ was established on the day of Pentecost, 33 AD. we can read this event in the book of Act 2. For the first time when about 3000 people were baptized for the remission of their sin, then Jesus added them in His own body and continuously every saved people were added to the Church (Act 2:47). And these members were first time called christian in the book of Acts 11:26. those who obey Jesus they were called Christian. This name was specially design by God for His People (Isaiah 62:2).
All Christian of the world were commanded to be in His Body, which is THE CHURCH. in Matthew 16:18 Jesus said that “Upon this rock I will build my church”, therefore we are not interested in man-made creeds, but simply follow the NEW TESTAMENT pattern. we do not conceive of ourselves as Catholic neither Protestant nor Jewish, But simply as members of the Church that Jesus established, the one for which He died. We don’t have central government or geographic headquarters. We have no earhly head or board that advises, rules, or in any way governs collective congregations. Each congregation is self-ruled and is independent of every other congregation. The Church of Christ is not used as a denominational designation, but rather as a descriptive term indicating that the Church belongs to Christ.
| Isaiah 62:2; Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:4, 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 1:13; Acts 2; Isaiah 2:2-4; Romans 16:16; Ephesians 5:23; Acts 2:42; Matthew 28:19-20; |
Church Mission/ Vision
Preach the Gospel
Christ taught the apostles, just after His resurrection and just before His ascension to heaven, “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; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 29:19-20). “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Later Paul told young Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Lord’s desire for the Gospel to be taught.
Helping the Poor (Orphan/Widows/who are in needs)
The Bible shows us that the church was concerned about those who were in need to help. They were helped as there were means to do so. In Acts 2:42, we read, “and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need,” this was on a free will basis, of course. But, again in Acts 6, we read of an argument that came about between the Grecians and Hebrews. The Grecians were neglected in their daily care. The Apostles called their disciples together. They had them to choose seven men from among them. They were appointed to handle this part of the work of the Church. We read of the Paul going to Jerusalem to help the poor saints there. He goes on to say, “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints, for it is pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem” (Roman 15:25-26).
Edifying the Church
To edify means to build up, to strengthen, and to encourage. It is to help the members of the Church grow spiritually. What are some of the things that edify? God’s word, Fellowship, engaging in worship, helping one another, good words, loves etc.
| Acts 9:31, Roman 14:19, I Corinthians 8:1; 14:26; 2 Corinthians 12:19 and Ephesians 4:12 and I Thessalonians 5:11 |
Entering The Church
Entering the Church
Christ is the Savior of the Church. He adds only the saved to it. One would then like to know what the Lord requires so that he might enter it. This is clearly set forth in God’s word. This is especially made clear in the different cases of conversion in the book of Acts. Note the steps or things needed to be done in order to be added to the Lord’s Church:
Hear the word of God
Romans 10:14-17 14 how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
“So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”
Believe the Gospel
He must believe in God and Christ. “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 rewarded of those who diligently seek him (Hebrew 11:6). Christ said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieved shall be condemned.
Repent of sins
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Confess faith in Christ
Matthew 10:32-33 32 whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Be baptized for the remission of sins
Matthew 28:18-20 18And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The Worship Services of the Church
The Church is made up of the saved. Its purpose is to worship and serve God through Jesus Christ. Paul said, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).
God had command every one of us to worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John4:24). This is the only kind of Worship that God will accept. This was true in the days of Christ and it is true in our present day. To worship God in spirit and in truth means to worship as it is written in the New Testament. God does not force anyone to worship Him. Those who worship Him must do so on His terms.
The New Testament shows us from direct commands and examples that the early church engaged in theses five ways of worship.
Prayer:
They Prayed. After the people had obeyed the Lord on the day of Pentecost, we read, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Act 2:42). Through prayer, the Lord’s people have the opportunity to speak to their Father in heaven.
They sang praises:
Paul wrote to his brethren, “speaking to one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). The Early Christians never used music Instrument in their hymns, because Paul says that we are to make “melody in the heart to the Lord. This does away with instrument music.
Cross references: Colossians 3:16, Hebrew 13:15, Ephesians 5:19
Sermon (Study the Word of God):
They assembled to study, Timothy had been taught the Bible from Childhood (2 Timothy 3:15). The believers continued to devote themselves to what the apostles were teaching (Acts 2:42). In Acts 20:7 we read of Paul preaching to the brethren as a way of studying the word of God.
Lord Supper:
They assembled to partake of the Lord’s Supper. We have an example of this in Acts 20:7. In Matthew 26:26-28 and I Corinthians 11, we are taught to partake of the bread in remembrance of the body of Christ; we then are to partake of the cup, or fruit of the vine, in remembrance of the blood of Christ. Even we are to do this every Sunday (Acts 20:7).
Contribution:
They gave of their money. Paul commanded the brethren in Galatians and in Corinth, “On the First day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collection when I come (I Corinthians 16:2). Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.
