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"The Ancient Landmark"

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"10 Reasons Why You Should Investigate The Church Of Christ"

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21)

1. The body of Christ, His universal church is of Biblical Origin. It began in Jerusalem Palestine on the Day of Pentecost following the death, burial, resurrection, and coronation of Christ (Luke 24:45-49; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 2:1-47).

2. It was founded by Christ Himself (Matt. 16:13-19; Ps. 127:1; Matt. 15:13).

3. It wears and Honors the Name of Christ. We accept every scriptural designation found in the Bible for this one relationship, the bride of Christ. (Eph. 5:22-33; Rom. 16:16; Col. 3:17; Eph. 4:1-6; 1 Cor. 12:20; 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 20:28).

4. Christ is our only creed. The Bible is our only rule of faith and practice, specifically Christ's last will and testament (2 Tim. 3:16-17; John 12:48; Acts 3:22-23; Matt. 24:35; Rev. 22:18-19; Gal. 1:6-11).

5. It is scriptural in organization. Note: The Universal body of Christ has no earthly organization. It is made up of individual Christians and not all of the local congregations.

Local congregations are ruled by a group of elders who are also referred to as "pastors, bishops, presbyters, shepherds, and overseers" in New Testament language (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Thess. 5:11-16; Heb. 13:7.17). Elders are assisted by deacons to whom they delegate various functions (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-10). As seen in the cited passages, these men's family members also must be what they should be for these men to serve in this capacity.

There are no synods, hierarchies, district superintendents, Popes, etc. known to the New Testament. There is no such thing as a "sponsoring eldership." Each congregation under its own eldership answers directly to Christ (1 Peter 5:1-7; Rev. 2:5). The autonomy of each local church must be respected to please Christ.

6. Local churches worship according to the New Testament pattern as set when inspired men lead them. On the first day of the week, we meet to partake of the Lord's supper, sing, pray, study, and contribute a free will offering as the New Testament commands (Acts 20:6-7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19; Luke 18:1).

We reject methods of attempted worship that are not prescribed in the New Testament such as mechanical instruments of music, speaking in tongues, transubstantiation, consubstantiation, the mass, etc., since all these are inventions of uninspired men. Things like tongue speaking was unique to first century assemblies before the New Testament scriptures were completed (1 Cor. 13:8-13; Heb. 2:1-3). Too, for folks to attempt to worship who aren't in the right relationship with God through Christ is impossible (Eph. 2:13-17; 3:21). For unfaithful, ungodly, unrepentant members to attempt to worship is also unacceptable (Isaiah 59:1-2; 66:1-6; 1 Peter 3:12; John 9:31). To engage in unauthorized activities in worship renders worship vain (Matt. 15:8-9; Col. 2:8).

7. Gospel preachers in faithful churches of Christ refuse to wear religious titles which tend to exalt one above the other. There is no clergy-laity system known to New Testament Christianity (Matt. 20:20-27; Matt. 23:1-12; 2 Thess. 2:1-4; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Psalm 111:9-10).

8. The New Testament teaches that water baptism is the final act of the new birth of water and of the Spirit, and that it is a burial of a penitent believer and a resurrection to a new life in Christ. Faithful local churches of Christ honor these instructions. Baptism not only puts one "in Christ" but also into the universal body of the redeemed, the family of God. One is not baptized into the local congregation. (Acts 2:22-38, 40-41, 47; Rom. 6:3-6; Col. 2:12; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:26-39; 10:47-48; 1 Peter 3:20-22; Titus 3:5; Acts 22:16). This is the only baptism that is acceptable to Christ (Eph. 4:5; Acts 19:1-7).

9. Faithful local churches urge the membership to live godly lives, upholding the Biblical standard for morals. If and when members disregard the Biblical standard, they become subject to disciplinary action beginning with pointed and plain teaching and ultimately leading to the local membership withdrawing their fellowship from them if they refuse to repent and give up their ungodly, immoral lifestyles. (Titus 2:11-14; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3:6).

10. We plead for complete obedience to Christ. We seek peace and unity based on Christ's prayer for unity and as the apostles admonished in order to please Christ (John 17:17, 20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10-12; 3:1-6).

Religious error flourishes where people fail to investigate, study, and think. It was noble in God's sight when the Bereans "..received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). It is still noble to demand proof that your teaching is what may be proven from the New Testament (1 John 3:1-2; Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Thess. 5:21; Jude 3).

In order to please Christ, we must obey Him -- even if it means changing beliefs and practices in which we may have engaged for years (Heb. 5:8-9; 2 Thess. 1:1-10; Matt. 10:32-30; Luke 14:23-34). Truth and humility do not fear investigation -- they welcome it (Isaiah 1:18; 1 Thess. 5:21).

Conclusion

If you are weary concerning denominational divisions and doctrines of uninspired men which are constantly changing with the times, we believe you will be happy to learn of the plea made by faithful Christians and by local churches of Christ to lay aside all human elements in religion such as creeds and such and just follow the word of Christ in everything (Col. 3:17; Acts 3:22-23; Matt. 17:1-5; John 12:48; 2 John 9-11; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). In other words, come with us back to the Bible. Be as broad as it allows and as narrow as it demands.

Let us call Bible things by Bible names.

Let us do Bible things in Bible ways.

Let us seek to obey Christ in all things.

Let us be simple New Testament Christians- nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.

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