More About the Christian Church
Early Beginnings:
The Christian Church is an indigenous American congregation whose roots date back to the early 1800's. In America, at the turn of the nineteenth century, the churches were tightly drawn along denominational lines. Many of the denominational differences originated in Europe and had little, if any, bearing upon the churches in America.
Men from various denominations, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and others, began to question the wisdom of denominational separation. Many Ministers and church leaders from various backgrounds and denominations began to encourage all Christians to unite on their common beliefs: the authority of the Bible and the Deity and Lordship of Jesus Christ. Out of this grass roots movement the Christian Church was born. The Christian Church was the fastest growing church in America for the first seventy-five years of the nineteenth century.
The Christian Church purpose was not to create a new denomination but to restore the church to the pattern and practice of the New Testament church as founded by the Apostles. Therefore, the Christian Church strives to model the characteristics of the New Testament Church in worship and practice. The motto: "Were the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent" describes the attitude of the Christian Church on matters of doctrine and opinion. Grace is offered on all issues and the greatest amount of liberty is offered on matters of opinion.
The BIBLE
The Christian Church believes the Bible is God's Holy Word. The Bible is inspired by God ("All Scripture is inspired by God... " 2 Tim. 3:16). It contains God's revelation to mankind without error.
Therefore, God's Holy Word must be the sole authority for the church. As Christians we must submit our minds and wills to the Bible and allow Biblical principles to govern our lives.
COMMUNION
Communion, or the Lord's Supper, was instituted by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the night He was betrayed (See Matthew 26:26-29). Jesus told us to "do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19). The Lord's Supper is a central part of our worship.
Each Sunday we observe the Lord's Supper as was the custom of the Disciples and Christians in the New Testament Church. Luke wrote: "And on the first day of the week, we were gathered together to break bread…" (Acts 20:7).
All believers are invited to participate. One need not be a member of the Christian Church to remember Jesus Christ.
BAPTISM BY IMMERSION
The Christian Church practices baptism by immersion. The Greek word, baptizo from which we get the word "baptize" simply means to "dip or immerse." Jesus, Himself was immersed in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17) and He instructed His Disciples to baptize by immersion.
Therefore, the Christian Church holds to this ancient form of baptism because it is in keeping with the teachings of Jesus and the example of the New Testament Church (see Acts 8:25-39).
CHURCH GOVERNMENT
The Christian Church is locally governed and led. We have no denominational headquarters or overseers. Jesus Christ is recognized as the only true 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, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." Ephesians 1:22-23). God's Holy Word is the authority for structure and practice of church government.
The Christian Church, therefore, adopts the New Testament pattern for church government. The church selects Elders. An elder is simply a "pastor, overseer shepherd" of the congregation. It is his job to shepherd and care for the spiritual needs of the congregation and provide spiritual leadership and direction for the church. A complete description of the qualifications of elders can be found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-10.
Deacons are selected by the congregation to help the elders. A deacon is simply a "servant." His job is to take care of the physical needs of the congregation and aid the elders. In reality, deacons are servants of the congregation. An account of the first selection of deacons is found in Acts 6:1-6.
The Elders and Deacons meet periodically to oversee the needs, ministries and purpose of the church.
SALVATION
The Christian Church believes that a person is saved by grace through faith. The Apostle Paul wrote: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We are saved because of the work of Christ on the cross. The Apostle Paul wrote: "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Yes, the death of Christ on the cross made it possible for us to be saved from our sins.
The wonderful Scripture "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16) illustrates the depth of God's love for us. Salvation is a gift from God.
However, the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ must be accepted in order to claim the promise. We must say to God, through our mind and actions that we accept Jesus Christ as His Son and God's promise of forgiveness and eternal life. Holy Scripture outlines the steps we must take in order to claim this wonderful promise.
…believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith is believing that Jesus Christ is God's Son and that Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose again and now dwells with God in heaven. Faith also involves the element of trust. When you have faith in Jesus you give your life to Him.
... repent of your sins.
Repentance is a genuine sorrow for sinning against God. Repentance involves the changing of one's mind with regard to sin. It is being sorrowful to the point you never want to sin against God again. The Apostle Peter when asked by the multitude on the Day of Pentecost what they should do to be saved replied: "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
...Confess Jesus Christ as Lord.
Jesus made a wonderful promise when He said: I "Every one therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32). The Apostle Peter gave us the example to follow when he was asked by Jesus "But who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). Peter replied: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).
...be obedient to Jesus in baptism.
Jesus said "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved..." Mark 16:16. Jesus told His Disciples to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). We are to be baptized out of obedience to our Lord and Savior. Baptism is a natural part of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord.
Yes, we are saved by grace through faith. Are these steps we take works? No they are a positive acceptance of what God has promised in accordance with His Word and His Will.
MEMBERSHIP
The Christian Church asks no more for membership than what is required to be a Christian. Those who have been obedient to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through faith, repentance, confession and baptism, we welcome to join the church.
People often ask, "I was not baptized in a Christian Church. Do I need to be re-baptized?" No. If you were baptized by immersion in obedience to Jesus Christ there is not need to be baptized again. You will not need a letter of good standing from another church nor will we vote on your membership.
The Christian Church welcomes all who proclaim "Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God" and that "He is Lord of their life." After all, isn't that what a Christian proclaims?
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email our ministers - Ron Nolen, Senior Pastor, or Kevin Adkins, Minister of Music and Connections, at (478) 987-5428.