He spoke to only a small group of men, but these words would affect men until the end of time. What were these words? "I will build my church!" (Matthew 16:18). As far as the Bible tells us, this was the first time Jesus ever used the word, "church." But God has planned the church before He made the world. The part of the Bible called the "Old Testament" is the story of God making the world read
y for His church. THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED
Less than a year after Jesus promised to build His church, he was killed, and buried. But three days later, JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD. He overcame death. Fifty days later, on the day of Pentecost, the Apostles received the Holy Spirit. Peter, being inspired, convinced the multitudes of Jews assembled at Jerusalem for the annual feast that they were responsible for the death of Jesus. When they heard this they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls (Acts 2:37, 38, 41). The church had begun. (this was in the first century 33 A.D.) That's right the church of Christ was founded by Christ, in the 33 A.D. in Jerusalem. HOW THE CHURCH WORSHIPPED
In the Bible we can read how the church met on the first day of the week. They shared the Lord's Supper. They sang without the use of instruments of music to praise God because they understood that God was the center of worship, and He (God) had not authorized them to use or add instruments to the worship. They prayed to God and shared their money for the work of the church. They devoted themselves stedfastly in the apostles doctrine (teachings) and we have this in the Bible today. They were the fellowship of God. (Acts 2:42; 20:7, I Corinthians 16:1-2, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 13:15, )
Are you in the church only founded by Jesus Christ, started in the first century and in the city of Jerusalem? Are you in the church that worshipped only the way they did in the Bible? THE CHURCH TODAY
Many, many years have passed since Jesus began His church. Many things have changed. Sad to say, many have made efforts to change the church from what Christ wants the church to be. To some, the church is a building, a social club, political platform, and/or a rock concert- a place to be entertained. To others, the church is made up of different types of churches wearing various names given by man, not found in the Bible and do not honor Christ(denominations/non-denominational denominations) I Corinthians 1:10-15. This might come as a surprise to many but the church built by Christ is neither Catholic nor Protestant. Matthew 15:12-14. WE MUST GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING
Since the religious world has changed so many things since Jesus lived, why do we need to go back to the beginning? Why do we need the church as it was in the beginning? The image of the church as presented in many of our communities and in Hollywood is a far cry from what we find in the Bible. Is your image of church from the series Greenleaf? We might ask why are so many confused in religion today? (I Corinthians 14:33). If men are confused it is not because of God. Men must be willing to throw off the traditions of men that keeps him from seeing the real Jesus and His church as found in scripture. Christ is still able to meet our needs. Because man has needs and because Christ is able to meet these needs, man MUST come to Christ today. BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH
From the time the church began, when a man was saved, he also became a member of the church. Man is saved when he realizes he is lost without Christ. He believes that Christ can save him. He is willing to give his life to Him. He then turns from sin. He says, confesses and acknowledge that he believes that Jesus Christ is God's Son. Once he has reached this point, he is a candidate for baptism. Man must then be baptized, (put completely under water) so Christ will forgive his sins. (Romans 6:4). When he or she comes up from the water, he or she is a new person. God has forgiven his past. He is now a member of the church of Christ (Acts 2:47). IT IS TIME TO ACT
Too many people based their salvation on what they heard, how they feel or how people treat them. None of this will change God or His will! (Matthew 7:21-27). We must submit fully to Christ. We must understand that the church of the Bible is not just a good idea. We must make it real in the world. We must go back to the Bible and look at the church as found in scripture from the beginning. The Bible tells us what this church was like. We can have the same church today. We can be members of it. All men who believe in Christ must submit to His will. Think about what this would mean to the world. Christ prayed that His people would be united. (John 17:20-21). The BIBLE teaches much about this...ONE hope of unity is found in God's word. "For there is ONE body, and ONE spirit, even as you were called in ONE hope of your calling. ONE Lord- ONE faith -ONE baptism ONE God and Father who is above all, through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)
WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST on Zoom. WORSHIP AND BIBLE STUDIES TIMES
SUNDAY
9:15 A.M. WORSHIP
10:15 A.M. BIBLE STUDY
6:00 P.M. WORSHIP
MONDAY
7:00 P.M. COLLEGE (age) BIBLE STUDY/DEVOTIONAL
TUESDAY EVANGELISM/ COMMUNITY
7:00 P.M. BIBLE CLASS
Metro Atlanta CHURCH OF CHRIST
www.makebibledisciples.com
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YOU CAN BE JUST A CHRISTIAN AND A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH YOU CAN READ ABOUT IN THE BIBLE
