If you are visiting with us for Friends and Family Day, welcome! Please know that you are our honored guest. We hope that you are warmly welcomed and encouraged by your experience today. If you have any questions about the church of Christ or about the Macland Road congregation in particular, please let us know. (Expect a scriptural answer, and not merely an opinion.)
Let me tell you some important facts about the church of Christ:
- The church of Christ (or the church belonging to Christ) was established on the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus had predicted that He would establish His church, or kingdom (Matthew 16:18), and that it would come with power (Mark 9:1; Luke 24:46-49). This occurred on Pentecost (Acts 2).
- The church of Christ (or the church belonging to Christ) has no creed other than the Bible itself. The Bible authorizes no creed beyond itself (1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 John 9). Thus, our authority for our faith and practice is in God’s word itself and in no other document (see Colossians 3:17). We are seeking to restore primitive, New Testament Christianity (see Romans 16:17).
- The church of Christ (or the church belonging to Christ) has no earthly headquarters. The New Testament authorizes local congregations to be governed by a local board of elders to make decisions of expediency for carrying out biblical commands, but the New Testament authorizes no hierarchy beyond the local congregation (see 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Philippians 1:1). So, we have none.
- The church of Christ (or the church belonging to Christ) is not a denomination. That is, the church is not a manmade institution. It is not one of many different and opposed groups, all of which are claiming to be one small part of the body of Christ. The church of the New Testament simply is the church that Jesus purchased and founded (Acts 20:28), or that group of people who are saved by His blood (Ephesians 5:23-27).
- The church of Christ (or the church belonging to Christ) uses only those elements of worship authorized by the New Testament (see John 4:24; Colossians 3:23). The New Testament authorizes preaching (Acts 20:7); congregational, a cappella singing (Ephesians 5:19-20); eating the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-28); giving to the local church treasury (1 Corinthians 16:1-2); and prayer (Acts 12:12).
These are just a few things about the church that may interest you. Please talk with us and investigate on our Web site. We would be glad to study the Bible with you.