We are not a denomination...
We are not a denomination, neither are we inter-denominational. It is our sincere desire to be non-denominational; to wear no other name than Christ's, and to be known simply as Christians, members of the body of Christ. (Acts 11:26) (Ephesians 1:22,23)
We refer to ourselves collectively as "The church of Christ", The Lord's church" or by some other scriptural designation, to identify ourselves as the saved people belonging to Christ. (Ephesians 5:23) We strive to be the same church that is described in the New Testament. It is our purpose to identified with the Christians of the first century. We believe this to be possible to all who will learn, believe, and be guided by the plain teaching of God's word. When Jesus declared such to be "the seed of the kingdom" (Luke 8:11), he was emphasizing a known fact of nature, that specific kinds of seeds, when planted will always reproduce after their kind. Wheat, for example will always produce wheat. In like manner, the word of God when planted in the hearts of honest people will produce Christians just as it did in the first century, nothing more and nothing less. We have no human creed. There is no man or group of men who legislate for the church. We have no other to answer to but Christ; he is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18), which leaves no room for any human head.
As was true in the first century, there is no inter-congregational organization, but rather independent congregations in different locations with Christ the lord and master. The Bible is our only book of rules. We have no man written creed books to follow. We are governed in faith and conduct by the Bible alone. While recognizing the guiding principles of the Old Testament, we seek to conform to the rules and patterns of the New Testament (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 4:11). We accept the Bible as being both verbally inspired and infallible in content (2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13). When the Bible speaks upon any given subject, its pronouncement is accepted as final. By its own testimony no one may, with impunity, alter a single word of the Bible (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18,19).
Our assembled worship procedures are simple, spiritual, orderly, and are key-noted by the words of Jesus, who said "true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23, 24). Each element of worship finds its origin in the commands and examples found in the New Testament.
What Happens in our Assemblies?
Our assembled worship procedures are simple, spiritual, orderly, and are key-noted by the words of Jesus, who said "true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23, 24). Each element of worship finds its origin in the commands and examples found in the New Testament.
Singing...
The entire assembly joins in the singing of gospel songs. There are no choirs or special groups, only simple congregational singing. We find no evidence in the New Testament that the early church used mechanical instruments to accompany their singing; therefore we do not use them in our worship. (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16)
Prayer...
The congregation is led in prayer by one of the men in the assembly. We pray, not only to praise and to thank God, but also to ask for our needs and for the needs of others.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
Preaching...
The lessons and sermons are designed to teach God's word, in order to encourage compliance by those who listen. It has become increasingly popular for preachers to appear sensational, but discussing subjects not found in the Bible, and even by laying claim to miraculous powers. We make no claim for sensationalism...just a period of plain Bible teaching and study.
The Lord's Supper...
Like the church in the time when the New Testament was written, we partake of the Lord's Supper each first day of the week (Acts 20:7). The supper consists of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, as memorials to the body and blood of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 11:20-26)
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes."
(1 Corinthians 11:26)
Give as we Prosper...
We do not take up a collection every time we meet, but only on the first day of the week. We give as we have been blessed. (1 Corinthians 16:1,2).
