Grayson County Shopper February 25, 2004


Mat 16:18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades' will not overpower it."

His promise was fulfilled when the church came into existence on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).  Peter commanded the multitude assembled on the day:

Act 2:38 Peter said to them "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

And three thousand were added:


Act 2:47 Praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Of what denomination did those three thousand become members?  Our contention is that they joined no denomination.  Indeed, denominationalism such as we know in today's world did not even exist then.  They simply obeyed the gospel and were added by the Lord to his church.  They wore no sectarian name, adopted no denominational creed, and belonged to no ecclesiastical hierarchy.  They were simply children of God, members of the church to be called Christians:

Acts 11:26 and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.  And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Churches of Christ plead for a return to that same church with the same simplicity.  We do not claim to be a denomination. We find no denominations in New Testament times, but we do find the church purchased by the blood of Christ:

Act 20:28  "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with his own blood".

Our goal is to be that church - nothing more, nothing less - just basic New Testament Christians as people were in the first century.

We teach the same plan of salvation - faith, repentance, confession, and baptism for the remission of sins.  We practice the same worship - teaching, giving, observing the Lord's Supper, praying, and singing praises to God:

Act 2:42 they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Eph 5:19 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord:

We follow the same congregational organization - elders, deacons, and saints:

Phil: 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

Without offices and positions unknown to the original Christians.

If you want to be just what people were in the New Testament, then we urge you to investigate churches of Christ.  We strive to speak where the Bible speaks and to remain silent where the Bible is silent.

Used by permission of   THE SPIRITUAL SWORD
Edited by Bill Terry