Frequently
Asked Questions
1. I need
help and/or I would
like to know
more about the
Bible and the
teachings of
Christ.
Can you try to help me?
Yes. Each congregation consists of Christians who, in most cases, also need help and/or want to increase their knowledge of the Bible. Each of the congregations will have group and/or individual Bible classes...and may also be able to send Bible lessons to you through the mail or through the internet. As one preacher a long time ago said, "We have a lot of loving and caring people...and also a few soreheads." Hopefully you will look for the ones who are loving and caring, and you will pray for the ones who are not yet quite as loving and kind as they should. Click on "where we meet" above to find the closest congregation in your area. We welcome you to visit with us, to pray with us, and to study with us to find God's will for our lives. If you would like some internet resources provided by individual congregations and/or members of the Lord's church, click on "links" above. We suggest that you contact the congregation that is closest to you for additional information.
2. What is the church of Christ?
Let's first start by talking about Christ (Jesus). Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)...the son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus was with God in the beginning when the heavens and earth were created...and Jesus is God (John 1:1-14). Jesus came to this earth to establish a new covenant (the New Testament - see Hebrews chapters 7-13), to die for our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:21-25), to conquer to power of death by being raised from the dead (see Romans 6:1-9), and to show us how God wants us to live and to worship Him. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of a Messiah and the establishment of an everlasting kingdom (e.g. Daniel 7:27). When Jesus rose from the grave, He ascended to heaven and sits today at the right hand of God, the Father (e.g. Acts 2:33-36; 7:55-56; Romans 8:34). A kingdom consists of a king, the king's subjects, and the king's domain. Jesus is now King of kings, and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:13-15). His subjects are those people who choose to follow Him.
The New Testament described Jesus' Kingdom in many ways in addition to the relationship of King (or Lord) and His kingdom (those subject to the will of God -- Matthew 5:3, Matthew 7:21-29). It is also described as the relationship between the Chief Shepherd (Jesus) and His flock (John chapter 10, 1Peter 5:4). Jesus' church (the word church is from the Greek word "ekklesia", which means those who are called out...a community of members) is also described as a body, with Jesus being the Head of the body, and His followers called the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18-24). The kingdom is also described as a house with Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone, and His followers being called the living stones being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4-6). Jesus' kingdom is also described as the relationship between a Husband and bride, where Jesus is the Bridegroom who lays His life down for His wife (Ephesians 5:25-32).
After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, His church was established on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2). That day, the good news about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was preached for the first time. Those who heard the message and believed it...they repented of their sins, confessing that Jesus was truly the Christ, and they were baptized for the purpose of having their sins forgiven. These people received forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:36-41). On that same day, "there were added unto them about three thousand souls" and thereafter "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:41, 47 KJV). Jesus' disciples were guided by the inspiration of God and His Spirit to write the New Testament. The New Testament contains the words of Christ that He spoke while on earth and, as Jesus promised in John 16:12-15, the truths delivered later through the Holy Spirit. Those that wish to be a part of Jesus' kingdom seek to follow these New Testament commands and examples.
The name "churches of Christ" is found in Romans 16:16. We are simply a group of Christians who are striving to follow the will of God and to have obedient faith in His promises. Because we are humans, we make mistakes. But our desire is not to be like the world, but to be more like Christ. Jesus says that His followers must do the will of His Father (Matthew 7:13-27). We know we must walk in the light as Jesus as in the light, recognizing that we will make mistakes along the way (see 1 John chapter 1). We know that we must be "in Christ" to be able to go to heaven with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Romans 8:1, Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:26-27. Do you want to know more about Christ and His church? click here
3. Is the church of Christ affiliated with other religious groups that have similar names?
There are hundreds, if not thousands of religious groups in the world who wear names that are different from each other. There are some religious groups who wear names that are similar to the "church of Christ," but teach different things. Some religious groups believe as the scriptures teach that Jesus is the only way to God the Father (John 14:6)...however there are many religious groups who deny this, or teach things that are contrary to what the scriptures say. The name "churches of Christ" began in New Testament times and was one way of identifying the church that Jesus built (see Romans 16:16). Today, however, there are some groups that call themselves by similar names (e.g. Church of Christ Scientist, United Churches of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, International Churches of Christ, etc.). Although the names are similar, we are not connected with these specific organizations.
Our desire is to be closely joined with Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible...and those who desire and practice these same things. The scriptures say that those who "walk in the light as He (Jesus) Himself is in the light "will have "fellowship with one another" (1 John 1:7). The Bible also says that those who want to be a friend of the world (e.g. the sins or sinful desires of the world) will be an enemy to God (James 4:4). Our desire is to go to heaven, and to help as many as possible to go to heaven with us. Jesus commands his followers to go into the world and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16) and to teach all the things that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (John 19:10). There is no amount of work that we can do to earn this salvation that we have received through God's mercy and grace. But we must tell others about what Jesus has done for us...and what Jesus requires of us. Can we begin by sharing the good news of Jesus with you? click here
If you want more information, please contact the congregation closest to your area (see "where we meet" above) or if you have questions concerning this web-site, please contact us.
Yes. Each congregation consists of Christians who, in most cases, also need help and/or want to increase their knowledge of the Bible. Each of the congregations will have group and/or individual Bible classes...and may also be able to send Bible lessons to you through the mail or through the internet. As one preacher a long time ago said, "We have a lot of loving and caring people...and also a few soreheads." Hopefully you will look for the ones who are loving and caring, and you will pray for the ones who are not yet quite as loving and kind as they should. Click on "where we meet" above to find the closest congregation in your area. We welcome you to visit with us, to pray with us, and to study with us to find God's will for our lives. If you would like some internet resources provided by individual congregations and/or members of the Lord's church, click on "links" above. We suggest that you contact the congregation that is closest to you for additional information.
2. What is the church of Christ?
Let's first start by talking about Christ (Jesus). Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)...the son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus was with God in the beginning when the heavens and earth were created...and Jesus is God (John 1:1-14). Jesus came to this earth to establish a new covenant (the New Testament - see Hebrews chapters 7-13), to die for our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:21-25), to conquer to power of death by being raised from the dead (see Romans 6:1-9), and to show us how God wants us to live and to worship Him. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of a Messiah and the establishment of an everlasting kingdom (e.g. Daniel 7:27). When Jesus rose from the grave, He ascended to heaven and sits today at the right hand of God, the Father (e.g. Acts 2:33-36; 7:55-56; Romans 8:34). A kingdom consists of a king, the king's subjects, and the king's domain. Jesus is now King of kings, and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:13-15). His subjects are those people who choose to follow Him.
The New Testament described Jesus' Kingdom in many ways in addition to the relationship of King (or Lord) and His kingdom (those subject to the will of God -- Matthew 5:3, Matthew 7:21-29). It is also described as the relationship between the Chief Shepherd (Jesus) and His flock (John chapter 10, 1Peter 5:4). Jesus' church (the word church is from the Greek word "ekklesia", which means those who are called out...a community of members) is also described as a body, with Jesus being the Head of the body, and His followers called the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18-24). The kingdom is also described as a house with Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone, and His followers being called the living stones being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4-6). Jesus' kingdom is also described as the relationship between a Husband and bride, where Jesus is the Bridegroom who lays His life down for His wife (Ephesians 5:25-32).
After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, His church was established on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2). That day, the good news about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was preached for the first time. Those who heard the message and believed it...they repented of their sins, confessing that Jesus was truly the Christ, and they were baptized for the purpose of having their sins forgiven. These people received forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:36-41). On that same day, "there were added unto them about three thousand souls" and thereafter "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:41, 47 KJV). Jesus' disciples were guided by the inspiration of God and His Spirit to write the New Testament. The New Testament contains the words of Christ that He spoke while on earth and, as Jesus promised in John 16:12-15, the truths delivered later through the Holy Spirit. Those that wish to be a part of Jesus' kingdom seek to follow these New Testament commands and examples.
The name "churches of Christ" is found in Romans 16:16. We are simply a group of Christians who are striving to follow the will of God and to have obedient faith in His promises. Because we are humans, we make mistakes. But our desire is not to be like the world, but to be more like Christ. Jesus says that His followers must do the will of His Father (Matthew 7:13-27). We know we must walk in the light as Jesus as in the light, recognizing that we will make mistakes along the way (see 1 John chapter 1). We know that we must be "in Christ" to be able to go to heaven with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Romans 8:1, Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:26-27. Do you want to know more about Christ and His church? click here
3. Is the church of Christ affiliated with other religious groups that have similar names?
There are hundreds, if not thousands of religious groups in the world who wear names that are different from each other. There are some religious groups who wear names that are similar to the "church of Christ," but teach different things. Some religious groups believe as the scriptures teach that Jesus is the only way to God the Father (John 14:6)...however there are many religious groups who deny this, or teach things that are contrary to what the scriptures say. The name "churches of Christ" began in New Testament times and was one way of identifying the church that Jesus built (see Romans 16:16). Today, however, there are some groups that call themselves by similar names (e.g. Church of Christ Scientist, United Churches of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, International Churches of Christ, etc.). Although the names are similar, we are not connected with these specific organizations.
Our desire is to be closely joined with Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible...and those who desire and practice these same things. The scriptures say that those who "walk in the light as He (Jesus) Himself is in the light "will have "fellowship with one another" (1 John 1:7). The Bible also says that those who want to be a friend of the world (e.g. the sins or sinful desires of the world) will be an enemy to God (James 4:4). Our desire is to go to heaven, and to help as many as possible to go to heaven with us. Jesus commands his followers to go into the world and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16) and to teach all the things that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (John 19:10). There is no amount of work that we can do to earn this salvation that we have received through God's mercy and grace. But we must tell others about what Jesus has done for us...and what Jesus requires of us. Can we begin by sharing the good news of Jesus with you? click here
If you want more information, please contact the congregation closest to your area (see "where we meet" above) or if you have questions concerning this web-site, please contact us.