Prince Rupert  Church of Christ

  "All the churches of Christ greet you" Romans 16:16

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A Message Of Welcome

Consider this your personal invitation to come worship with us as we make every effort to follow the first century pattern in the twenty-first century.

Using  the Bible as our only guide we seek simply to be followers of Christ.  We have no interest in sectarian or denominational agendas; so our scope is nondenominational.  We are simply striving to be the Church of Christ.

Because  the Bible is God's inspired word, we allow it alone to define our faith and practice rather than  ascribe to any man-made statements of faith. The apostle Paul expressed it this way... "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17). The apostle Peter expressed the idea that the scripture was all sufficient in this way... "seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3).

As a result of our belief that the Bible is all sufficient, it serves to answer such questions as:

            In reality, the  answer to every question concerning our Christian life is found in the Bible.

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Regular Schedule of Assemblies
                Sunday     10:00 AM        Congregational worship and fellowship.
                                            11:00 AM        Bible classes for all ages.

               Tuesday          7:30 PM        Class for all the ladies.

               Thursday        7:00 P.M.      Bible classes for all ages.

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Where We Are

The church building is located on the corner of Conrad St. and Prince Rupert Boulevard.
(Transportation is available as needed.)

Street Address and Regular Mail :

Prince Rupert church of Christ
977 Prince Rupert Boulevard

Prince Rupert, BC V8J 3Y4

 
Mailing Address
PO Box 324
Prince Rupert, BC V8J 3P9

 

Telephone Numbers:

(250)  624-4449
 
(250)  624-5834       For emergencies
 
Contact via internet: email

You are welcome to participate in any or all activities!

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Weekly Bulletin


For the week of: June 28, 2009

  Page One

The Importance of Being ‘In Christ’

  Frequently, the New Testament speaks of being ‘in Christ’. Notice the following verses that so speak.

 

    Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

2 Corinthians 5:17 

   

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:22

  

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

 

 There are many other places in the New Testament that speak of one being ‘in Christ’. Therefore, we conclude that being ‘in Christ’ is very important.

  With the importance the Bible places upon this relationship, one interested in their soul’s salvation should be very attentive to how one gets ‘into Christ’.

  The Bible has the answer to that question. It says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27).  Getting ‘into Christ’ is synonymous with becoming a Christian.   

    Are you in Christ?

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  Page Two 

“Going to Church”

 

  Did you ever stop to ask yourself, “What does ‘going to church’ mean?” There is not one instance in the entire Bible where anyone ‘went to church’. Through the influence of various religious organizations, people feel that they have a certain duty to perform at a certain time, in a certain place. This influence has led us to believe that there is a time to be more holy than usual, there are places (buildings) that are more holy than others, and there are people there who have a greater ability to understand the scriptures than other people. What does the Bible teach about ‘the assembly’?

  Trying to convince people of the urgency of attending the assembly on a consistent basis has been met with every kind of opposition. From a joke to a wink or  to ‘turning a blind eye’. Forsaking the assembly is sin.

 “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). The key words in this scripture are ‘forsake’ and ‘exhort’. The definition of forsake is ‘to leave or abandon. It can be in varying degrees, all the way from total abandonment, to justification for periodic absenteeism, for any reason. The definition of exhort is ‘to encourage’. In essence, when I am not there, I forsake the exhortation that a fellow Christian may desperately need. Encouragement is one of the most important ingredients in a person’s Christian life, be it from the Holy Scriptures or from fellow Christians.

  Acts 20:7 indicates the reason the early church assembled was to break the bread, or specifically, to partake of the memorial that Christ set up for Himself. “And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.” Included as a part of this meeting was preaching, singing, praying, and all kinds of exhortation as they worshipped God together.

“And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

  Worship, then, is a condition of the heart and mind. I can worship God anywhere and at any time. However, I cannot encourage or be encouraged unless I assemble with my brothers and sisters on the first day of the week.

  In order to worship and praise God together with my brothers and sisters and thus encourage and be encouraged by them, I must assemble with them on the first day of each week. Forsaking the assembly is sin.

  The assembly is vital to our spiritual survival. My brothers and sisters need me and I need them just as much. If we can see ‘going to church’ from this viewpoint, we will make up a force that Satan cannot beat.

                                                                         

 David P. Carter

 

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Page Three 

 Why God Permitted Evil

 

  An ever-present problem in the world is the presence of evil. If God is all-powerful, why does He allow evil to exist in the world? This is not just a philosophical question; it also is a theological question. Philosophers may never find the answer, but the Bible gives a very definite answer. It lies in the nature of God and the creation of man.

  Man was created in the image and likeness of God, who is a moral being, capable of making choices. He determines the difference between right and wrong. As man is made in God’s likeness, he also was made with this knowledge from the beginning. Satan did not offer man something he did not already have, but he caused Adam to think God was holding something back that could be obtained by eating the forbidden fruit.

  God is good. Therefore, Adam, knowing God, already knew good. All he gained by listening to the serpent (Satan), was an experiential knowledge of evil. A study of Anthropology shows that all men, from the beginning, and in every place, had some knowledge of right and wrong. They also had some knowledge of a Supreme Being, and of a life after this one. This is evident from the remains of both ancient Egyptian and Native culture.

  Being made in the likeness of God, and being capable of choosing between good and evil, would have no meaning at all if man’s only choice was good. Isaiah 43:7 says that we are created for God’s glory. If the only choice was good, how could choosing good glorify God? However, when both good and evil exist, a choice of good glorifies God.

  Therefore, whenever one chooses to follow Jesus it glorifies God. Man could have chosen evil instead of good. Man is given a clear choice between good and evil and choosing good glorifies God.

 By making man capable of making choices, God had to permit evil, so man could exercise that God-given ability. He allowed the serpent to present an alternative way.

 

  Glorify God in your choices today and for the rest of your life.                                             Marvin Johnson

 

 

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Page Four

Is It For Me?

  “Peter asked, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?’” (Luke 12:41).  In the context of this passage, Luke 12:35-38, Jesus instructed His listeners about the virtues of watchfulness and faithfulness.

  When I read from the Word, I, like Peter, ask, “Is this passage speaking to me or to others?” I am not always certain what prompts this question. However, I suspect that the devil is trying to get me to accept only part of the Word and reject the rest, or give greater importance to one portion of Scripture than to another. Another reason might be that I think I have reached a certain level of knowledge and spirituality and am mature beyond this teaching (a Pharisaic attitude?). I must not let the devil use this as a ploy to get me to lose the focus of my faith.

 

            In 2 Timothy 3:16,17 I read:

    “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

 

  As a ‘man of God’, I must allow myself to be taught by the Scripture and to be rebuked by the Scripture. I must apply all Scripture to my own life. This allows me to be ‘adequate, equipped for every good work’.

 

  O, God of compassion and forgiveness, have mercy upon me. Forgive my haughty spirit. Humble me. Strengthen me. I desire to be adequate and equipped for every good work. Through Jesus.

 

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Weekly Sermon Outline  


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     That You May Believe Will Be Our Topic For The Next Few Weeks

Sermon outlines based on studies in the Gospel of John 

June 28, 2009         

 

 

                 The Testimony For Jesus' Resurrection

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1. In this study we have noted that John seeks to produce faith in Jesus...

   a. By recording the claims concerning Jesus

      1) Made by John in his prologue to the gospel

      2) Made be Jesus Himself throughout His ministry

   b. By recording testimony to support such claims

      1) The testimony of those who saw and heard Jesus

      2) The testimony of the Father through signs and Scripture

 

2. Perhaps the strongest testimony provided by John is that of Jesus'resurrection...

   a. For if Jesus truly did rise from the dead...

   b. ...He is everything that both Jesus and John claimed!

 

[What evidence is there for the resurrection of Jesus?  In John's gospel, the testimony for Jesus' resurrection begins with Jesus' death; in other words, what is said about...]

 

I. THE CRUCIFIXION

 

   A. THE EVIDENCE...

      1. The soldiers' observation that Jesus was dead - Jn 19:31-33

      2. Blood and water coming from Jesus' pierced side - Jn 19:34

         a. Medical authorities have commented on this phenomenon as evidence that it proves Jesus died on the cross (not

            sometime later)

         b. "There remains, therefore, no supposition possible to explain the recorded phenomenon except the combination of

            the crucifixion and rupture of the heart." - Samuel Houghton, M.D. (physiologist from the University of Dublin)

      3. John's testimony of this phenomenon - Jn 19:35

      4. The testimony of Tacitus, Roman historian (ca. 112 A.D.)

         - "Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius

         Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberias."

 

   B. THE ALTERNATIVE...

      1. Jesus only swooned, to either die or be revived some time later

      2. Postulated by many skeptics, trying to deny the resurrection of

         Jesus (e.g., The Passover Plot, by Hugh J. Schonfield)

 

[Which is more likely becomes apparent as we consider the evidence of...]

 

II. THE EMPTY TOMB

 

   A. THE EVIDENCE...

      1. The stone removed - Jn 20:1

         a. First observed by Mary Magdalene, on early Sunday morning

         b. A stone that had been sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers - Mt 27:62-66

      2. The body gone - Jn 20:2

         a. The tomb is empty!

         b. Mary supposes that the body has been removed, and runs to tell Peter

      3. The grave clothes - Jn 20:3-9

         a. Peter and John see the head covering (napkin) lying neatly folded by itself

         b. Indicating there had been no hurry to get away, or to steal the body (Hailey)

 

   B. THE ALTERNATIVES...

      1. The body stolen

         a. The theory explained

            1) The disciples stole the body, then claimed He rose from  the dead

            2) This was the "official" theory offered from the very beginning - Mt 28:11-15

         b. The difficulties described

            1) The explanation defies logic

               a) If the soldiers were asleep...

                  1/ How did they know it was the disciples who took the body?

                  2/ How could the large stone guarding the entrance be rolled away without awakening the soldiers?

               b) The soldiers guarding the tomb were Romans - Mt 27:62-66

                  1/ They were professional soldiers

                  2/ Charged to guard the tomb with their lives

                  3/ The punishment for falling asleep on duty was death

            2) This would make those who testified they saw Jesus liars and frauds

               a) For they claimed empirical evidence - Ac 10:39-41

               b) Suppose just a few disciples stole the body, unknown by others...

                  1/ Such as Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, or the women

                  2/ Others still say they saw Jesus, ate and drank with Him

               c) You have to explain why they were willing to lie and die knowing it was a lie

      2. The swoon hypothesis

         a. The theory explained

            1) Jesus did not actually die on the cross, He only swooned

               a) Suffering from shock, pain, and loss of blood, fainted (swooned) from exhaustion

               b) Thinking that He was dead, the Roman soldiers took Him down and He was buried in the tomb

            2) In the coolness of the tomb, Jesus revived

               a) Somehow He left the tomb

               b) Appeared to His disciples, then lived in obscurity to die years later

         b. The difficulties described

            1) Jesus would have had to revive sufficiently enough to:

               a) Break through the burial garments that bound Him,including a hundred pounds of spices used in preparing

                  His body for burial - Jn 19:38-40

               b) Role away the large stone that sealed the tomb

               c) Fight off the Roman guards protecting the tomb

               d) Walk the seven miles to Emmaus where He was seen by the two disciples

               e) Walk back to Jerusalem where He was seen by the apostles-- All within the same day!

            2) Every effort was made to prove He was dead

               a) The Roman soldiers at the cross pierced His side - Jn 19:31-34

               b) Pilate made sure He was dead - Mk 15:43-45

                  1/ When Joseph of Arimathea wanted the body

                  2/ The Roman centurion confirmed that Jesus was dead

            3) Not only would this make the apostles liars and frauds,but Jesus also for allowing a lie to spread for years!

      3. The vision hypothesis

         a. The theory explained

            1) All of Christ's post-resurrection appearances were only supposed appearances

            2) Those who claimed to see Jesus had hallucinations

         b. The difficulties described

            1) The appearances were not just to individuals, one at a time

               a) Ten apostles claimed to see Him - Jn 20:19-25

               b) Jesus appeared to six disciples at the Sea of Galilee

                  - Jn 21:1-14

               c) He appeared to over 500 people at once - 1Co 15:6

            2) The theory contradicts laws and principles which

               psychiatrists say are essential to hallucinations:

               a) Only certain kinds of people have hallucinations

                  1/ Usually high-strung, highly imaginative, and very nervous people

                  2/ Usually only paranoid or schizophrenic individuals  have hallucinations

                  3/ The appearances were not restricted to people of any particular psychological make up

               b) Hallucinations are linked in an individual's  subconscious

                  1/ An individual may have an hallucination

                  2/ But hallucinations do not appear to groups of people

               c) They occur in people when there is a spirit of anticipation or hopeful expectation

                  1/ The disciples had no such anticipation - Lk 24:13-21

                  2/ They were prone to disbelieve even after they were told of the resurrection - Jn 20:24-25

 

[Other theories have been offered, but like these three they fail in the face of perhaps the greatest evidence for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead...]

 

III. THE WITNESSES

 

   A. THE EVIDENCE...

      1. Mary Magdalene

         a. First person to the empty tomb - Jn 20:1

         b. She at first thought someone took the body - Jn 20:2,11-15

         c. But then believed when Jesus appeared to her - Jn 20:16-18

      2. The disciples on the first day

         a. Who were hiding for fear of the Jews - Jn 20:19a

         b. When Jesus appeared to them, showing His hands and His side- Jn 20:19b-20

      3. The disciples including Thomas

         a. Thomas had not been with the disciples - Jn 20:24

         b. Thomas doubted their testimony, refusing to believe - Jn 20:25

         c. When Jesus appeared eight days later, Thomas was convinced - Jn 20:26-28

      4. The disciples in Galilee

         a. By the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) - Jn 21:1

         b. Jesus showed Himself to Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James,John, and two others - Jn 21:2-14

      5. John in particular

         a. Who bore witness to the death of Jesus - Jn 19:35

         b. Who bore witness to the resurrection of Jesus - Jn 21:24

 

   B. THE ONLY TWO ALTERNATIVES...

      1. Witnesses were credible, honest, and truthful

         a. Enhanced by the number of the witnesses

            1) Not just a few, isolated individuals

            2) But many, including hundreds at a time

         b. Enhanced by the character of the witnesses

            1) Not gullible, but requiring proof (e.g., Thomas) - Jn 20:25

            2) At first fearful, but something made them fearless - Jn 20:19; Ac 4:13,19-20

            3) Who spent their lives dedicated to truth, holiness, love- 1Jn 1:5,6; 2:15-17; 4:11

         c. Enhanced by the suffering of the witnesses

            1) They gladly suffered for their testimony - Ac 5:41

            2) Even after losing loved ones, like John who lost his brother James - Ac 12:1-2

      2. Witnesses were liars, frauds and deceivers

         a. Only alternative if the resurrection did not occur - cf. 1Co 15:14-15

         b. Nature of their testimony does not permit being mistaken or  misled

            1) They claimed to have heard, seen, and touched Jesus following His resurrection - cf. 1Jn 1:1-4; Ac 10:39-41

            2) You cannot say that they were simply mistaken, or misled; you must proclaim them liars if Jesus was not risen from

               the dead!

         c. Are you willing to believe that those who wrote the New Testament were so corrupt?

 

CONCLUSION

 

1. The testimony for Jesus' resurrection is strong, enhanced by...

   a. The evidence of the crucifixion

   b. The evidence of the empty tomb

   c. The evidence of the witnesses

   -- Alternative theories simply do not hold up in the face of such evidence

 

2. What is the significance of this evidence and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead?

   a. Jesus is everything that John and Jesus Himself claimed to be!

      1) He is the Son of God!

      2) He is the bread of life!

      3) He is the light of the world!

      4) He is the Good Shepherd!

      5) He is the resurrection and the life!

   b. Believe in Jesus, and you can...

      1) Have the right to become a child of God - Jn 1:12

      2) Have life in His name! - Jn 20:31

 

Sadly, many people do not believe in Jesus.  In our final lesson, we

shall consider why such is the case, even as it was in John's day.  But

if you believe in Jesus as the Son of God, don't hesitate to obey the

gospel of Christ - e.g., Ac 8:35-38

                 

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Bible Correspondence Course
A Study To Help You  Grow
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LESSON ONE          To Enroll:  email
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Lesson One - The Patriarchal Age
Purpose of this Lesson: To present basic Bible stories which took place during the first period of Bible history -- to help the Bible student develop a better concept of our Heavenly Father -- and to lay a foundation of faith in the Bible as the all sufficient Word of God.
Synopsis: This is the story of the creation, the first people, the first children, and the first sin.  As people multiplied on the earth, they became exceedingly wicked and because they would not repent, they were destroyed by a great flood except for eight people who believed and obeyed God.  The story continues with the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and finally ends with the deliverance of God's people from Egyptian slavery.
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LESSON TWO           To Enroll:  email
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Lesson Two - The Mosaic Age
Purpose of this Lesson: To continue with the basic Bible stories which link together the Jewish or Law Period of Bible History -- To show how God's plan for worship under the Old Law differs from His plan for our worship today -- To give numerous examples of unbelief which always led to suffering --To show how Jesus was born and lived under the Old Law in order to fulfill the Law and bring to us the Age of Grace.
Synopsis: By the miraculous hand of God the Israelites were delivered from bondage. Unbelief on the part of many brought heartaches and misery which caused God's people to wander in the wilderness forty years before reaching the promised land. We see the stories of the Kings of Israel, how the kingdom became divided and the prophets who told of the coming Savior.  This story ends with a brief account of the life of Jesus.
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LESSON THREE          To Enroll: email
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Lesson Three - The Christian Age
Purpose of this Lesson: To set forth the distinctive New Testament pattern of the one church Jesus established -- To show how the church consists of every saved person on earth -- To point out that the law of Christ's church is found only in the New Testament -- To show that only members of Christ's church or family will be saved.
Synopsis: Jesus' body was removed from the cross by friends and they buried him.  On the third day He rose.  After being seen several times by His disciples, Jesus told them that He would send the Holy Spirit upon them to guide them into all truth.The New Testament was written by the hands of the disciples as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.  The church of Christ began on the Day of Pentecost as Jesus promised, and the complete instructions for establishing local congregations is described in the New Testament.  When men follow the New Testament completely, they will be Christians only.
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LESSON FOUR           To Enroll:  email
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Lesson Four - God's Plan for Redeeming Man
Purpose of this Lesson: To set God's plan of redemption through the precious blood of Jesus -- To show where a person must come in contact with blood before he can be saved -- To assure a person that he can know where he stands with God.
Synopsis: Every person on earth is hopelessly lost until he is delivered from the bonds of sin.  God sent his Son into the world to deliver the sinner from eternal punishment.  God's love and concern for mankind is manifest through the various miracles of Jesus.  Jesus announced the plan of redemption to His disciples who in their ministry gave us examples of Bible conversion.  A person must meet the conditions of salvation through faith in Jesus before he can be redeemed.
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LESSON FIVE           To Enroll:  email
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Lesson Five - History of the Lord's Church
Purpose of this Lesson: To give a brief summary of mankind from the very creation, showing how men have continually left God and His divine will and in doing so have brought upon themselves misery and heartaches -- To show also how men in our Christian Era left God's New Testament truth which has resulted in the doctrines of men and religious strife and divisions -- To
assure the believer that religious unity is possible through the Lord's church which is founded upon Christ and His Holy Word.
Synopsis: Beginning with Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden, the story of man's departures from God is revealed.  When
Jesus established His church, we see the same principle involved for some Christians departed from the faith.  This resulted in the gradual development of the Roman State Church or Catholicism in the Sixth Century and later...divided-Protestantism in the Sixteenth Century.  Our lesson ends with the plea of the membership of the church of Christ throughout the world to return to God's Way as revealed in the New Testament.  In this way all may be one in Christ Jesus.
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Youth Activities

Teens meet at various times during the week, year around:

    Annual teen activities:

Preteens also meet regularly, especially during summer vacation:

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Did You Know?

I. The Church of Christ, prophesied (Isaiah 2:2), is revealed and described in the Bible (Romans 16:16; Revelation 1:11)

II. The Church of Christ exalts Christ as the ONLY head of the church. Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18

III. The Church of Christ has no rulebook but the Bible. It strives to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where it is silent. I Corinthians 4:6; II Timothy 3:16, 17; I Peter 4:11; II John 9)

IV. The Church of Christ is organized according to the teaching of the New Testament. It has no earthly organization above the local congregation and each congregation is independent. Each congregation is overseen by elders (also referred to in the Bible as bishops, pastors, presbyters, shepherds) with deacons and evangelists serving under their oversight. Acts 14:23; 20:16, 28; Ephesians 4:11; Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:1-13; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 5:1-4.

V. The Church of Christ preaches the same gospel and teaches the same plan of salvation based upon the grace of God as taught by the apostles. Romans 1:16.

     This plan includes:

           Faith in Christ. Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31

           Repentance . Acts 2:38; 17:30

           Confession of faith in Christ. Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10

           Baptism. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galations 3:27; I Peter 3:32 (This baptism is a burial in water of a penitent believer to wash away his sins. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:38, 39; 22:16; Romans 6:3, 4; Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 4:5)

VI. The Church of Christ worships according to the New Testament pattern. John 4:23, 24.

     This worship consists of:

Singing without the use of man-made instruments of music. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16.

           Praying to God. Acts 2:42

           Observing the Lord's Supper each first day of the week. Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Corinthians 9:7.

           Teaching God's Word. Acts 2:42; I Timothy 3:15; II Timothy 4:1-2.
 

VII. The Church of Christ pleads for unity of all believers in Christ and believes unity can be attained. John 17:20, 21; I Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:3-6.

VIII. The Church of Christ is not a denomination but simply the body of Christ to which the Lord adds the baptized believers who have been saved from their past sins. Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:18.

                                                                                                             If you have a question send is an email
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 This Page was Last Updated    June 28, 2009