Doctrine
CHRIST'S CHURCH
It is our desire and intent, to the very best of our ability to be the
church that you read about in the Bible. Not a man-made organization, but a church built
by the hands of the carpenter from Nazareth. ". . . and upon this rock I will
build my church . . ." -- Matthew 16:18.
THE ORIGIN OF CHRIST'S CHURCH
The church Jesus built was established in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost
50 days after the death of Jesus. In Acts 2, Peter preached a sermon to the Jews who were
gathered for the feast. Acts 2:41 says, Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. In
Acts 2:47 we read, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord
added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Any church which was established at a later date, in a
different place from the one we read about in the Bible cannot be the church that Jesus
built. Why would men want to be a part of a man-made organization when they can be a part
of the church of the Bible?
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRIST'S CHURCH
The church is not a building; it is a group of people. Remember Acts 2:47--Praising
God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved. The church is the group of all those the Lord has saved from their
sins.
In Ephesians 5:23 we read that Jesus is the Savior of
the body. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of
the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
The body is the church. And hath put all things under
his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body,
the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Since Jesus is the savior of the body and the body is
the church, those outside of the church that Jesus built are not saved.
Those who are not a part of the church we read about in
the Bible, but substitute a man-made organization instead have no promise of salvation.
THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
FOR CHRIST'S CHURCH
The Lord adds people to the church. Praising God and having favour with
all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (Acts
2:47). Men do not have the right to alter the requirements for entrance into the church
that Jesus built. The entrance requirements for the church and the process of becoming
saved are one and the same. The saved are the church, and the church is the saved. We
cannot add any requirements or restrictions that God has not commanded, nor can we lessen
the requirements that God has set. Remember these three Bible truths:
1. Men are lost and condemned because they have
committed sin against the law of almighty God.
Sin is the transgression of the law. I John 3:4 says, Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Sin separates us from God. Behold, the Lord's hand
is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But
your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face
from you, that he will not hear (Isiah 59:1-2)
Sin deserves death (eternial separation from God). In
Romens 6:23 we read, for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2. Jesus is the answer to our sin problem.
Jesus died to take the punishment for our sins. Surely
he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten
of God, and affliced. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed
(Isiah 53:4-6).
It is the blood of Jesus that washes away sins. And
from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and
the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins
in his own blood (Revelation 1:5).
3. We must respond properly to the message of Jesus
and his death in order to receive the gift of salvation which he offers.
The salvation which Jesus offers is available to all
men. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth
(I Timothy 2:4).
But, salvation is conditional on our obedience to
God's will. Hebrews 5:8-9 clearly teaches, Though he were a Son, yet learned he
obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of
eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Everyone who wishes to be saved must
do these things:
Believe in Jesus -- I said therefore unto you, that
ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins (John
8:24).
Repent of, or turn away from sin -- I tell you,
Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3); And the times
of this ignorance god winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent (Acts
17:30-31).
Confess their faith in Jesus -- Whosoever therefore
shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven
(Matthew 10:32); That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation (Romans 6:3-4).
Be baptized (immersed in water) for the remission of
sins -- Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost (Acts 2:48). Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus
Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).
No one who belongs to a church which has different
entrance requirements belongs to Christ's church.
Examples of False Ideas of Salvation Taught by Many
Churches:
1. Some churches teach we are saved by faith only. It is
interesting that the Bible teaches we are saved by faith, but never says we are saved by
faith only. In fact, James 2:24 says, Ye see ten how that by works a man is justified,
and not by faith only.
2. Baptism by sprinkling or pouring. Some realize the
Bible truth that baptism is the point of salvation, but they do not practice Bible
baptism.
In John3:23 we see the importance of much water for
baptism: And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim. because there was much
water there: and they came, and were baptized. It is obvious that sprinkling or
pouring were not being considered here , for they don't take much water.
Romans 3:3-4 says, Know ye not, that so many of us
as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried
with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory
of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Here baptism is
compared to a burial. Jesus came up out of the grave. Bible baptism is immersion in water.
Does it really matter? It does if yo want to obey God
rather than the doctrines of men. Remember, God has only promised to save those who obey. Though
he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made
perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (
Hebrews 5:8-9).
3. Baptism of babies. Some not only practice sprinkling
or pouring, they practice these things on babies.
This is based on the erroneous idea that the sins of
Adam and other ancestors are passed to children. The Bible does not teach this doctrine.
In fact, it teaches just the opposite. Ezekiel 18:20 says, The soul that sinneth, it
shall die. the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father
bear the the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him,
and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Before a person can be baptized properly he must
believe. Mark 16:16 says, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.
Repentance (a change of mind about sin) must take
place before baptism. In Acts 2:38 we see Peter's words, then Peter said unto them,
repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Babies shall not be baptized, because baptism is for
salvation. I Peter 3:21 says, The like figure whereunto even baptism doth now save us
(not putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God),
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Baptism is also to wash away sins. Acts 22:16 is clear,
and now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the
name of the Lord. Babies do not have any sin. They are not in danger of being lost.
THE LAW OF CHRIST'S
CHURCH
1. Christ's church is under the law of the New Testament.
The Old Testament is part of God's word, and is
important for us to learn. Romans 15:4 says, for whatsoever things were written
afortime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
scriptures might have hope.
But the law , written on stones, was the ministration
of death. II corinthians 3:6-8 -- Who also hath made us able ministers of the new
testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit
giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraved in stones, was
glorious, so that the childern of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for
the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away; How shall not mimistration
of the spirit be rather glorious?
Those who try to follow the Old Law, by worshipping on
Saturday, sacrificing animals, ect. are not following the right guidelines.
2. By the same token, any church which has a creed
written by men,a cofession of faith, and catechism or manual is not following the pure,
unadulterated word of God. In Matthew 15:9 Jesus said, But in vain they do worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
THE ORGANIZATION OF
CHRIST'S CHURCH
The New Testament church had only one head -- Jesus Christ. Ephesians
1:22-23 reads this way, And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the
head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth
all in all. since its head is in heaven, its only headquarters is in heaven
also. All churches that have an earthly man as their head, or an earthly city as their
headquarters are not Christ's church.
THE WORSHIP OF CHRIST'S
CHURCH
The church of the New Testament was taught to follow a pattern for worship.
John 4:24 says, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit
and in truth. To worship in spirit means with the right attitude, and to worship in
truth means to worship according to God's commands. There are five acts of worship
considered in the New Testament:
1. The early church met on the first day of the week to
take the Lord's Supper. Acts 20:7-12 says, And upon the first day of the week,
when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart
on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the
upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain
young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preahing,
he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And
Paul went down, and fell on him, and evbracing him said, Trouble not yourselves: for his
life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and
talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young
man alive, and were not a little comforted.
2. They were taught to pray. I Thessalonians 5:17
-- Pray without ceasing.
3. They were taught to give on the first day of
the week. I Corinthians 16:1-2 -- Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I
have given orders to the churches of Falatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the
week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no
gatherings when I come.
4. They were to preach and teach to one another.
Acts 20:7-12 -- And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to
break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his
speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were
gathered toghther. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being
fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and
fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him,
and embracing him sain Trouble not ourselves; for hislife is in him. When he therefore was
come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break
of day, so he departed. And they brought the young mad alive, and were not a little
comforted.
5. They were taught to sing such songs as would
praise God and edify (buildup) each other. Colossians 3:16 -- Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ephesians
5:19 -- Speaking to oursleves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord;
An interesting difference that you will find at churches
of Christ is that our singing is done without mechanical instruments of music. This is the
way the early church worshipped, and we are trying to follow the same pattern. True, in
the Old Testament they worshipped God with harps and timbrels, etc. but nowhere in the New
Testament do we see any command or suggestion of using an instrument in worship to God.
Does it matter? It matters to those who want to be the church we read about in the Bible.
It matters to those who want to be pleasing to God. It matters to those who want to obey
him rather than following the ideas and doctrines of men.
THE MISSION OF CHRIST'S
CHURCH
The New Testament church had a four-fold mission:
1. Benevolence. Galations 6:10 -- As we have
therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith. The early church believed that they must help others who had need.
This is God's command and our duty.
2. Evangelism. Mark 16:15-16 -- And he said
unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. The
message of Christ must be told. Others must hear the gospel so they can be saved. Romans
1:16 --For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
3. Edification. Hebrews 10:24-25 -- And let us
consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. It is our job to build
one another up, to help one another to be strong in our service to God. We need to help
one another to avoid falling prey to Satan's temptations.
4. Glorifying God. I Peter 2:9 -- But ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light: In all we do, we want to show God's goodness and glory to others. We want to
help others praise him and see his kindness, love, and mercy.
CONCLUSION
And this is our only goal--to be what God wants us to be so that he will be
praised. We do not seek the praise of men, so we do not fashion the church according to
men's ideas. We do not try to judge others by our own ideas, but we evaluate all men and
all churches by the standard of God's word. |
