You must hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17). You believe (Hebrews 11:6). You must repent and turn away from past sins
(Acts 3:19). You must confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32). You must be baptized for the remission of your sins
(Acts 2:38)
In these 5 steps, one will be added to the Lord's church and are to walk worthy
of our calling (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
No Creed But The Bible.
Human creeds are almost always occasions, and often the cause, of discord, division, and strife. Yet all denominations can agree to accept the Bible. The Bible claims for itself that it is sufficient for all our spiritual needs ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17). This being true, why have creeds that God never ordained that separate believers into different sects and denominations that are against God’s will (1 Cor. 1:10). Jesus died so that we might have the Gospel, not the creeds of men!
The purpose of worshiping God “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24) is not to further denominational division and man-made doctrines, but rather New Testament Christianity. We have no man made doctrine, but simply appeal to the New Testament for everything we teach and practice. You will find that we speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent (1 Pet. 4:11). Christ is exalted as the ONLY HEAD (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23) and FOUNDER (Mt. 16:18) of the church.
No Name But Christ’s.
Human names in religion are marks of distinctions and differences. The only name a believer in Christ is to wear is “Christian” (Ac. 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:16). It is ONLY upon this name that we all can unite! There is no such thing as a denominational name in the Bible with the word Christian after it! Why not, then, eliminate the distinctive party names?
No Organization but The Church.
It would be a hopeless task to seek agreement on the multitude of societies, clubs, and other so called “religious organizations” of modern denominations. In the day of the church’s greatest power and glory the local congregation was the highest, and only, organization known. The church, as such, can do all the work God gave her to do (Eph. 3:10, 21). God’s plan calls for no organization greater than the local congregation.
No Worship But That Which Was Authorized By Christ.
Christian worship is characterized by simplicity. Worship is to be paid to God the creator of all. Worship is spiritual and not material (Jn. 4:24). In many denominations emphasis is put on ritualism, flashy and impressive display, which cannot but destroy the TRUE PURPOSE of worship to God! The appeal today in religious bodies is to the senses rather than to the spirit. By following the plan of worship strictly given by Christ and the Apostles we can have unity among all believers.
Now then, when you attend our services, you will find that our worship consists of those simple acts that were a part of New Testament worship. Our music is the singing of praises to God (Eph. 5:19). We have no choirs, quartets, instruments, or bands, just simple congregational singing from the heart to God, in which all participate. After singing a few hymns, some brother will lead the congregation in prayer (Ac. 2:42; 1 Tim 2:8). The sermon (Ac. 20:7) will be designed to teach a lesson from God’s word, and not an effort to get people drunk with emotion. The sermon will be presented in an intelligent manner, and the congregation will listen reverently. On the first day of the week we partake of the Lord’s Supper (Ac. 20:7), and give of our means as we have been prospered (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
We of the Church of Christ plea with all men everywhere to forsake the doctrines, names, practices, and commandments of men and come to the original religion of Christ and just be Christians, as were the early disciples (Ac. 11:26). Unity of all believers is attained through the word of God (1 Cor. 1:10), while division comes about by not all speaking the same thing. The Bible claims to make Christians and Christians only, and says that anything else is a product of man (Mt. 15:9, 13). There is no such thing in the Bible as Baptist Christians, Methodist Christians, Catholic Christians, etc. The Bible produces Christians, all believing the same thing, and teaching the same thing, just like those in the first century. It is here that we all can unite for the cause of Christ.
