a visit to a church of christ. may see things we had not expected may see things that raise...

A Visit to a Church of Christ

May see things we had not expected

May see things that raise questions

A Visit to a Church of Christ

May see cultural differences

May see unscriptural practices

A Visit to a Church of Christ

To find people who: Recognize and

respect Scriptural authority

Worship according to the Bible pattern

Believe in restoring the New-Testament church

A Visit to a Church of Christ

To find people who: Are zealous about

teaching what they believe

Love God, His word, and one another

Are interested in them!!

A Visit to a Church of Christ

People who: Settle things by what the

Scriptures say--NOT by what is liked, wanted, or popular in the community’s view !

What Should Visitors Expect?

People Who Recognize and Respect Scriptural Authority

People who: Strive to do only what is

authorized in the New Testament. Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 1 John 3:4; 2 John 1:9

What Should Visitors Expect?

People Who Recognize and Respect Scriptural Authority

People who: Do not add to their faith

one element for which there is no book, chapter, and verse

Do not bind on others anything for which there is no Scriptural authority

What Should Visitors Expect?

People Who Recognize and Respect Scriptural Authority

People who: Are not concerned with

“church of Christ” doctrine, but with what the Bible says

What Should Visitors Expect?

People Who Recognize and Respect Scriptural Authority

When we respect God’s authority, we will worship according to His directives.

The question is what does God want in worship, not what we want or like!!

Worship That Is Patterned After the New Testament

What Should Visitors Expect?

Our worship MUST be according to truth and in sincerity.

– Leviticus 10:1-2 Hebrews 8:5 John 4:24

Worship That Is Patterned After the New Testament

What Should Visitors Expect?

“… singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19)

“… I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” (1 Corinthians 14:15)

Singing

Worship That Is Patterned After the New Testament

What Should Visitors Expect?

”Raised their voice to God with one accord…” (Acts 4:24-31)

“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” (Acts 12:5)

Singing

Praying

Worship That Is Patterned After the New Testament

What Should Visitors Expect?

” Do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, …” (Acts 20:7)

Singing

Praying

Communion

Worship That Is Patterned After the New Testament

What Should Visitors Expect?

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, …”(1 Corinthians 16:2)

Singing

Praying

Communion

Giving

Worship That Is Patterned After the New Testament

What Should Visitors Expect?

“… Let all things be done for edification.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:15-16)

“Preach the word!” (2 Timothy 4:2)

“Feed the flock” (Acts 20:28)

Singing

Praying

Communion

Giving

Teaching

Worship That Is Patterned After the New Testament

What Should Visitors Expect?

Singing

Praying

Communion

Giving

Teaching

Worship That Is Patterned After the New Testament

What Should Visitors Expect?

A plea to return to the Bible

To do Bible things in Bible ways

To forsake man-made religions to be a part of the New-Testament church.

People Who Believe in Restoring the New-Testament Church

What Should Visitors Expect?

“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord,… have we not…, and done many wonders in Your name?‘ And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

People Who Believe in Restoring the New-Testament Church

What Should Visitors Expect?

“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)

People Who Believe in Restoring the New-Testament Church

What Should Visitors Expect?

The Organization of the Church

Jesus as the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23)

Elders overseeing the flock that is among them (1 Peter 5:2)

Deacons serving (1 Timothy 3:10)

People Who Believe in Restoring the New-Testament Church

What Should Visitors Expect?

The Names of the Church Church of Christ

(Romans 16:16)

Church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2)

Church of the Firstborn (Hebrews 12:23)

People Who Believe in Restoring the New-Testament Church

What Should Visitors Expect?

The Mission of the Church Evangelism

(1 Timothy 3:15)

Edification (Ephesians 4:16)

Benevolence for needy saints (Acts 11:29,30)

People Who Believe in Restoring the New-Testament Church

What Should Visitors Expect?

The Mission of the Church Recreation

(????????) Entertainment

(?????????) Politics

(?????????)

People Who Believe in Restoring the New-Testament Church

What Should Visitors Expect?

The Terms of Admission Hear (Romans 10:17)

Believe (John 8:24)

Repent (Acts 17:30)

Confess (Romans 10:9,10)

Be baptized (Acts 2:38)

Remain faithful (1 Corinthians 15:58)

People Who Believe in Restoring the New-Testament Church

What Should Visitors Expect?

Zeal to love and proclaim His word (Acts 8:4)

No wishy-washy half service (Matthew 6:33)

Standing against error (Ephesians 5:11)

An influence for good (Matthew 5:16)

People Who Are zealous About Teaching What They Believe

What Should Visitors Expect?

Our love for God is manifested in our love for His truth!

Love for truth—produces love for one another. (1 Peter 1:22; John 13:34,35; Matthew 12:30,31)

People Who Love God and One Another

What Should Visitors Expect?

Our love should be manifested so that it is visible…

People Who Love God and One Another

What Should Visitors Expect?

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love… For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:6,13)

People Who Love God and One Another

What Should Visitors Expect?

“But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:17,18)

People Who Love God and One Another

What Should Visitors Expect?

Jesus demonstrated His loveJesus demonstrated His love He went about doing good.

(Acts 10:38)

He cared for the sick. (Matthew 14:14-21)

He showed compassion to others. (Matthew 15:32-38)

He forgave even His enemies (Luke 23:34)

People Who Love God and One Another

What Should Visitors Expect?

People Who Care About Them!

• If you are a visitor— WE CARE about your spiritual well-being!

• We are willing to answer ANY questions you may have and study the Bible with you!

What Should Visitors Expect?

• We want you to examine what we teach and practice, comparing it with the Bible.

• We are genuinely concerned and have a desire to help you get to heaven.

People Who Care About Them!

What Should Visitors Expect?

To find people who: Recognize and respect

Scriptural authority

Worship according to the Bible pattern

Believe in restoring the New-Testament church

A Visit to a Church of Christ

To find people who: Are zealous about

teaching what they believe

Love God, His word, and one another

Are interested In them!!

A Visit to a Church of Christ

Non-Christians are invited to become Christians. (Mark 16:16; Galatians 3:26,27)

Christians in sin are encouraged to repent, confess, and pray (Acts 8:18-24; 1 John 1:9)

An Invitation to Those Who Need to Obey the Gospel

What Should Visitors Expect?