Worship and Doctrine
The goal of the church of Christ is to, “Worship God in spirit and in truth” – see John 4:24. This means that God wants his followers to worship Him with the right attitude, and according to the teaching’s of His word. In other words, Christians are to worship God with, “the right attitude and right doctrine!”
Churches of Christ practice A Cappella singing (singing without instruments of music). In doing this, Christians are engaging their minds and voices in the song service and honoring God’s teaching while they teach and admonish one another – see I Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16.
Prayer is also an important part our assemblies. The newly-founded church in Jerusalem, “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s teaching, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” – Acts 2:42. See also I Corinthians 14:15 & I Timothy 2:1-8.
Weekly communion of the Lord’s Supper is observed by members of the church of Christ every first day of the week (Sunday) as the scriptures teach – see Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7.
Christians also make a free-will contribution to the Lord’s work each Sunday according as God has prospered them – see I Corinthians 16:1 & 2; II Corinthians 9:6-12.
The preaching of the Gospel of Christ is an important phase of worship. Before Christ ascended into heaven, He commissioned His apostles to, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that beleives not shall be damned” – Mark 16:15 & 16. See also Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:44-48; Acts 10:42.
The book of Acts gives the record of the apostles fulfilling the Lord’s command to preach the gospel to those who were lost. In the record in Acts 2, those who heard Peter’s sermon, believed in Christ’s resurrection and Lordship, and were told by Peter, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” – Acts 2:22-38. Upon hearing this, about three thousand were baptized – see verses 39-41. It was in this manner that God added to the church – see verses 41 & 47.
The Samaritans, “believed the good tidings concerning the kingdom of God, and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” – see Acts 8:12.
Upon hearing the message of Jesus from Phillip, the Ethiopian eunuch confessed Christ as the Son of God, and was baptized in water – see Acts 8:26-38.
Of Paul’s work in the city of Corinth, Luke says, “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized” – Acts 18:8.
The above scriptures and others like them show us the preaching of the gospel to the lost, and the response made by the lost in order to be saved and added by the Lord to the church.
The preaching that is designed to keep Christians saved is found in the New Testament letters written by the various apostles and other inspired men. These letters are directed especially to Christians and contain instructions as to how Christians are to walk with God so as to finish their race with Him and receive the crown of life that is laid up for them – see II Timothy 4:6-8.
These inspired New Testament letters give special instructions to husbands, wives, fathers, and children – see Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4. The New Testament plea is for Christians to, “be holy, as God is holy” – see I Peter 1:15 & 16. Christians are commanded to “abstain from fornication” and “to submit to the governing authorities” – see I Thessalonians 4:3-7; Romans 13:1-10; I Peter 2:13-15. Those who follow Christ are to let their light shine before men, and love even their enemies – see Matthew 5:13-16, 43-48. These scriptures give us a sampling of the high standards to which God calls His people. The benefit of doing these things is to receive God’s approval in the day of judgment and to inherit life eternal – see Matthew 25:31-46.
The distinctive plea of the church of Christ is to accept the bible as our only guide in religious matters. We need no denominational manuals, disciplines, or catechisms.
Our special invitation to all our visitors is that you join us in following the bible alone in our sincere quest to be in heaven for eternity!