What Do We Know About The Characteristics Of Christ's Church?
It is possible for people living today to be members of the church that you read about in your New Testament. The Austinville Street Church of Christ is not just another denomination among denominations but is Christ's church in Decatur, Alabama. We accept as our mission the responsibility to glorify God. One way that we give honor to our Creator is to carry out the great commission. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20) This body of people is made up of baptized believers that put Christ on by immersion (Baptism) into Him. (Galatians 3:26-27)
The Austinville Street Church of Christ is a body of people that respects the patterns found in the New Testament. (Acts 2) The Bible is our only rule of faith and practice. It as our purpose to glorify God, therefore we identify ourselves simply by the name Christian. Concerning salvation our emphasis is a Bible emphasis. People are taught to (a) Hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17), (b) Believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Acts 8:37), (c) Repent of sins (Acts 17:30), (d) Confess faith in Jesus as the Christ (Romans 10:10), (e) Be baptized into Christ, by immersion in water, for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), and (f) Live a righteous life before God and man until death. (1 Peter 1:14-16) We invite all obedient believers in Jesus to join us in uniting on the New Testament way of salvation and Christian living.
There are a number of characteristics of the New Testament church pictured in Acts 2:36-47. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.' And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, 'Be saved from this perverse generation.' Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Let us be the church of Christ in Decatur by reproducing those same qualities.
1. The church of Christ started with its focus on Jesus. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)
2. Christ demands the hearts of all the members of His church. "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37)
3. The church of Christ is made up of those who repent are baptized. "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." (Acts 2:38)
4. The church of Christ is those people who received God's promise of salvation through Jesus. "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." (Acts 2:39-40)
5. The church of Christ started and continues with people who gladly receive and obey the gospel. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)
6. The church of Christ was and is a learning church. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)
7. The church of Christ was a praying church. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)
8. The church of Christ was a reverent church -- "fear." "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." (Acts 2:43)
9. The church of Christ was a united church. "And all that believed were together, and had all things common." (Acts 2:44)
10. The church of Christ was a sharing church. "And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." (Acts 2:45)
11. The church of Christ enjoyed fellowship. "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart." (Acts 2:46)
12. The church of Christ was a happy church. "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart." (Acts 2:46)
13. The church of Christ was a worshipping 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)
14. The church of Christ was made up of people who were respected by others. "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)
These are characteristics which the Austinville Street Church of Christ is striving to possess. Our goal is simply to be Christ's church. The church of Christ is not a denomination; it is the kingdom of God. We are pleading for primitive Christianity just as it was before being polluted by men. To begin your Christian life hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized into Christ. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) After being washed in the blood of Jesus at baptism be among those that are blessed by serving as a faithful member of the church of Christ.
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA
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