What does the Bible say?
Jesus said to men, “…The word that I have spoke will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48)? Many today are quick to say what they believe giving their preacher’s opinion or saying, “That’s what I was raised to believe.” That’s shaky ground in light of what Jesus said. Our desire is to to let the word of God speak for itself and then follow it alone.
1 Peter 4:11 – “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…”
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
What does the Bible say about the Christ?
Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
What does the Bible say about how a person comes to Christ?
John 8:31, 32 – “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Mark 16:16 – “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Galatians 3:26, 27 – “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
We see from the Bible that faith alone does not put one in Christ. Faith, repentance, confession of Christ, and baptism for the forgiveness of sins are essential in coming to Christ (see Acts 2:38,17:30, 22:16, Romans 6:1-4, 10:9-10, 1 Peter 3:21).
What does the Bible say about the church Christ built?
Matthew 16:18 – “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Acts 2:41, 47 – “Then those that gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them…And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
What does the Bible say about how many different churches Christ made?
Baptized believers were added to the Lord’s church and none other. Christ only built one church.
Ephesians 1:22-23 – “…and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body…”
Ephesians 4:4 – “There is one body…”
Acts 2:47 says the Lord added people to the church. Which church? His. The one and only true church.
What does the Bible say about the work, worship, and organization of Christ’s local church?
John 4:24 – “God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Worship – Involving preaching, prayer (Acts 2:42), and singing without instrument (Colossians 3:16). Exclusively on the first day of the week the original church also gave back to God (1 Corinthians 16:2) and took the Lord’s supper (unleavened bread and grape juice, see Acts 20:7 and1 Cor. 11:26).
A simple worship.
Church work – To build up its own into strong Christians (Ephesians 4:11-12), to spread the good news of Christ to the lost (Mark 16:15), to take care of needy Christians (Acts 4:34-35). A simple work.
Organization – Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22), elders lead the flock (1 Peter 5:2), and deacons assist the flock (Philippians 1:1).
A simple organization.
What does the Bible say about contemporary worship?
Nothing.
What does the Bible say about church entertainment, recreation, and social meals?
Nothing.
What does the Bible say about denominations?
Not one thing. So why be a member of one? The church of Christ is not a denomination.
The Bible offers one Christ who made one way and one church. We must not add to Christ’s word. What would you think if you mail ordered a shirt and when it arrived you received it plus a lawn mower. Did you get what you ordered? No. In like manner God is being charged for things He did not order either. Please read Matthew 7:21-23. Why not honor Christ with us by simply doing His work, His way, nothing more, nothing less. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
One last thing, no one is too far gone that the grace of God can’t reach. If one truly wants to repent of their sins, be baptized, and faithfully worship Him, God can and will wipe away his sins. Completely. God “desires that all men be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). That includes you. Let us be your new friend and neighbor who cares for you. A warm welcome awaits you at the church Christ built. (All scripture references come from the New King James Version.)
Come and visit us at the
31-W North church of Christ
We meet on 31-W on the north side of town near the 1008 bypass.
Address – 1733 Bowling Green Rd., Franklin, KY
Meeting Times
Sunday Class – 9 AM
Sunday Worship – 10 AM
Sunday Evening Worship – 6 PM
Wednesday Class – 7 PM
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