What is the Gospel?
May 5, 2009
The apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth reminds that congregation of the gospel he had been preaching (I Corinthians 15:1-4):
“1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day…(NIV)”
The gospel then is the same gospel today.
Who is the church of Christ?
May 5, 2009
The church of Christ is non-denominational and has no central headquarters or president. The head of the church is Jesus Christ himself (Ephesians 1:22-23). Each congregation of the church of Christ is autonomous but we use the Word of God (the Bible) to unite the the church into One Faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and his holy Apostles, and not the teachings of man.
How do I become a member of the church of Christ?
May 4, 2009
There is no membership required in any formal organization. When you obey the call of Christ, or are saved, you are part of his church. Once you are part of Christ’s church you will naturally want to associate with other members of the church of Christ. By worshiping with a congregation you will fall under the guidance of a group of elders that help ensure the congregation is based in Biblical principles.
How am I saved?
May 4, 2009
If you believe Jesus Christ is the son of God, was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins, and was resurrected triumphant over death you have the faith necessary for salvation. At the very beginning of the church the apostle Peter was given the “keys to the kingdom” which are the instructions for salvation (Acts 2:38):
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call. (NIV)
Repentance is turning away from, or putting to death, your worldly life of sin.
Baptism is the immersion (Romans 6:2-4) into water as a pledge of a good conscience towards God. (I Peter 3:18-22)
What can I expect during worship?
May 4, 2009
The patterns of worship the first Christians used were recorded immediately following the account of their conversion in Acts 2:42:
42They [Christians] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (NIV)
The worship services in the church of Christ today are patterned after the Biblical instructions on and examples of worship. The Biblical pattern of worship includes:
- Singing (Ephesians 5:19)
- Praying (1 John 5:14, 1 Peter 3:12, I Timothy 2:5, Eph 5:20)
- Studying (Acts 17:11-12)
- Giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
- The Lord’s Supper (1Corinthians 11:25, 1 Corinthians 10:16)
Why does the church of Christ not use musical instruments in worship?
May 4, 2009
Jesus Christ wants his followers to worship him from the heart. Under the old law (Old Testament) worship was based on external instruments including literal sacrifices for sins, ceremonies, feasts, and the use of instruments for song during worship. In Hebrews 8:10 the writer reminds the Christians of the time of the prophesy (Jeremiah 31:31-34) that Christ was going to change their worship from external to internal:
10This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people. (NIV)
It is this internal worship, or singing from the heart, that is a part of our worship today. We use songs in worship not just for listening to, but as a personal way to “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:20 NIV).
