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Christ church at Fleming Island
(Orange Park)
We are
non-denominational and have no central headquarters or president. The head
of the church is Jesus Christ himself (Ephesians 1:22-23). We
are members of his body (Romans 12:3-5)(Ephesians
3:5-7)
Each congregation of Christ church is autonomous, and it is the
Word of God that unites us into One Faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). We believe
the scriptures (Bible) to be the inspired word of God and able to direct
us (both Jew and Gentile) into salvation and every good work (Romans
1:15-17), (2 Timothy
3:15-17). We follow
the teachings of Jesus Christ and his Apostles, and not the
teachings of man (1 Thessalonians 2:13-15). We are
disciples of Christ and accept the name of Christians (Acts
11:25-27).
Our
hope and desire for unity as a church of Christ.
It is our primarily prayer and hope for religious
unity based upon the Bible and that it be the only basis for your
authority in worship to God. We believe in this divided religious world, the Bible is the only possible common denominator upon which all of the God-fearing people can unite.
Our desire and
appeal is to go back to the Bible. It is our desire to speak only
where the Bible
speaks and to remain silent where the Bible is silent in all matters that
pertain to religion. We emphasize that in every act of our worship,
there be a "Thus saith the Lord" for all that we do. Our
objective is religious unity of all believers in Christ through the
authority and guidelines of the Bible. By using the Bible as our only
standard we can worship as the first Christians did and restore New Testament
Christianity.
How
are churches organizationally connected?
According to the scriptures there
were many churches of Christ (Romans 16:15-17), at times referred to as
God's churches (1 Thessalonians 2:13-15), and sometimes simply churches
in a particular region (1 Corinthians 16:1) or location (Acts 11:21) who
were all autonomous in their governmental structure.
Pronounced, "au·ton·o·mous", meaning having autonomy; not subject
to control from outside; independent. They were all individual
believers in the gospel taught by the apostles and had all things in
common (Acts 2:43-45). They through their teaching were bound
together in this unity in Christ (Ephesians
4:1-13) as they adhered to
the teachings and examples of the apostles. There is no evidence of a
central headquarters of the church, and no organization superior to the
elders of each local congregation (church).
The Church
is also Christ body (Colossians 1:24) which we form (Romans 12:5).
With this early Christian example,
an no authority any other, we practice only this self governmental
example.
What
does the church of Christ believe about the Bible?
The original autographs of the sixty
six books which make up the Bible are considered to have been divinely
inspired, by which it is meant that they are infallible and
authoritative. Reference to the scriptures is made in settling every
religious question. A pronouncement from the scripture is considered the
final word. The basic textbook of the church and the basis for all
preaching is the Bible.
Do
members of the churches of Christ believe in the virgin birth?
Yes. The statement in Isaiah 7:14 is
taken as a prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ. New Testament
passages such as Matthew 1:20, 25, are accepted at face value as
declarations of the virgin birth.
Does
the church of Christ believe in predestination?
Only in the sense that God
predestines the righteous to be eternally saved and the unrighteous to
be eternally lost. The statement of the apostle Peter, "Of a truth I
perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he
that feareth him and worketh righteousness is acceptable unto him" (Acts
10:34-35.) is taken as an evidence that God did not predestine
individuals to be eternally saved or lost, but that each man determines
his own destiny.
Why
does the church of Christ baptize by immersion?
The word baptize comes from the
Greek word "baptizo" and literally means, "to dip, to immerse, to
plunge." In addition to the literal meaning of the word, immersion is
practiced because it was the practice of the church in apostolic times.
Still further, only immersion conforms to the description of baptisms as
given by the apostle Paul in Romans 6:3-5 where he speaks of it as a
burial and resurrection.
"baptizo" |
 |
| I Peter 3:21 ...and
this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the
removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good
conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, |
How often does the church
of Christ take the communion (Lord's
supper)?
It is expected that every member of
the church will assemble for worship on each Lord's day. A central part
of the worship is partaking of communion or the Lord's supper (Acts 20:7)(1
Corinthians. 11: 23-26)(Acts 20:7). Unless
providentially hindered, each member considers this weekly appointment
as binding. In many instances, as in the case of illness, the Lord's
supper is carried to those who are hindered from attending the worship.
What
kind of music is used in worship?
As a result of the distinctive plea
of the church - a return to New Testament Faith and practice - acappella
singing (an example heard on the home page) is the only music used in the worship. This singing,
unaccompanied by mechanical instruments of music, conforms to the music
used in the apostolic church and for several centuries thereafter
(Ephesians 5:19). It is felt that there is no authority for engaging in
acts of worship not found in the New Testament. This principle
eliminates the use of instrumental music, along with the use of candles,
incense, and other similar elements.
Does the church of
Christ believe in heaven and hell?
Yes. The statement of Christ in
Matthew 25, and elsewhere, are taken at face value. It is believed that
after death each man must come before God in judgment and that he will
be judged according to the deeds done while he lived (Hebrews 9:27).
After judgment is pronounced he will spend eternity either in heaven or
hell.
By what means does the church secure
financial support?
Each first day of the week the members of the
church "lay by in store as they have been prospered" (1 Corinthians
16:2). The amount of any individual gift is generally known only to the
one who gave it and to the Lord. This free-will offering is the only
call which the church makes. NO assessments or other levies are made. No
money-making activities, such as bazaars or suppers, are engaged in.
Does the church of Christ
have a creed?
No. At least, there is no creed in the usual sense
of the word. The belief of the church is stated fully and completely in
the Bible. There is no other manual or discipline to which the members
of the church of Christ give their allegiance. The Bible is considered
as the only infallible guide to heaven.
How does one become a member of the church of Christ?
In the salvation of man's soul there are 2
necessary parts: God's part and man's part. God's part is the big part,
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift if God; not of works, that no man should
glory" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The love which God felt for man led him to
send Christ into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of
Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of the gospel to
men constitute God's part in salvation.
Though God's part is the big part, man's part is
also necessary if man is to reach heaven. Man must comply with the
conditions of pardon which the Lord has announced. Man's part can
clearly set forth in the following steps:
Hear the Gospel. "How shall they call on him whom
they have not believed? and how shall they believe him whom they have
not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).
Believe. "And without faith it is impossible to be
well pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he
is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews
11:6).
Repent of past sins. "The times of ignorance
therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all
everywhere repent" (Acts 17:30).
Confess Jesus as Lord. "Behold here is water; what
doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, if thou believeth with
all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37).
Be baptized for the remission of sins. "And Peter
said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name
of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
Live a Christian life. "Ye are an elect race, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that
ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness
into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
OPEN INVITATION
Now that
the mystery of God's will has been made known to you (Ephesians
1:9, 3:11) which he purposed in Christ as the head of the
church (Ephesians
5:23)
which he purchased with his own blood (Acts
20:28) we encourage you become a member of it.
In becoming a member of
the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), you will become a follower
of Christ therefore a Christian . You will live and worship just as the apostle-guided
Christians of the first century did.
Not only is this return to New
Testament Christianity a wonderful basis upon which all believers in
Christ can unite, it is absolutely solid ground. If we do just what our
Lord commanded we know that our salvation is certain. Come with us as we
go back to the Bible, back to Christ and his church!
******************
(many of
the above statements appear on other written documents credited to
Batsell Barrett Baxter)
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