When people come to visit us they often want to know who we are, what we believe, and why we are here in Dripping Springs. People don’t spend their time, their money, and their skills on some religious principle without believing that principle is valid. If you are visiting today and have wondered, “What is the Church of Christ, and what are their beliefs?”, perhaps the following will give you the answers.
First, the church of Christ is not a denomination or part of any sectarian religious system. Jesus prayed for His followers to be united, John 17:20-21, not fragmented, as is a fundamental principle of religious denominationalism. With His own precious blood Jesus purchased “the church,” Acts 20:28, not a sect or a denomination. In fact there is no Bible authority for the existence of any denomination, 1 Corinthians 1:10.
Second, we are committed to following the Bible in every area of our lives. We know that truth does not reside in men but in God’s revelation, the Bible, John 17:17. But we can know His truth, and we can understand what God’s will is for our lives, John 8:31-32, Ephesians 3:4 and 5:17. We are painfully aware of our own individual weaknesses, knowing we have no reason to exhibit any form of self-righteousness, Romans 12:3. We are simply trying to let Christ live in us every day of our lives, Galatians 2:20, showing our gratitude for God’s blessings and expressing our love for Him by obedience to Him and to His word, John 14:15, 1 John 5:3.
Third, we realize that since the church belongs to Christ, and since He is the head of the church, Ephesians 1:22-23, we must be willing to submit to Him, Matthew 7:21ff. We
know it is only by God’s abundant love and grace that we have the opportunity to obtain forgiveness of our sins, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11. We respond to His grace by meeting the conditions in Christ’s “will,” Hebrews 5:9, 9:15-17.
Fourth, we look to God for our authority concerning what we preach and practice, Colossians 3:17. Since the church belongs to Christ, we look to Him alone for our instructions on worship, doctrine, daily living, and personal example, Colossians 1:18. Therefore, we look not to the edicts of synods or conventions of men for guidance, Matthew 15:9. We know “all scripture is given by inspiration of God,” and will thoroughly equip us “unto every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Fifth, the Bible teaches several very significant truths about the church Jesus built:
- Metaphorically, the church is the “body of Christ,” I Corinthians 12:12-27, and there is “but one body,” one “church,” Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:4.
- The church is composed of those who have been saved by the grace of God by means of the blood of Christ, those who have been “added to the church” by the Lord Himself, Acts 2:47, Ephesians 5:23.
- Jesus has placed some conditions upon all mankind for our salvation. Principally, we must hear and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, Romans 10:17, Mark 16:16; confess our faith before others, Romans 10:9-10, repent of our sins, Acts 17:30-31; beimmersed for the forgiveness of our past sins, Acts 22:16; and live a life of faithful service to God, walking in “the light” as God instructs us, Romans 11:22, 1 John 1:5-9.
- The church, Christ being its head, is commissioned to “seek and save that which is lost,” Luke 19:10, Mark 16:15-16. The church’s primary purpose is to serve the spiritual needs of man, not merely the physical needs.
Sixth, our worship to God consists of the same elements authorized by Christ and given by the apostles to the early church. They sang songs of praise to God, Ephesians 5:19, they prayed to the heavenly Father, Luke 11:2-4. They preached the gospel, Acts 20:7, partook of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week, 1 Corinthians 11:23-30. They contributed as they were “prospered,” I Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
If you are visiting, you will likely notice that our assembly may be somewhat different from others you have attended. We are not trying to be peculiar or different, but only to follow the pattern of truth found in the Bible, Hebrews 8:5; Romans 6:17. In the foyer you will find tracts or booklets written on Bible subjects, and you are encouraged to take them — free of charge — read them and pass them on to others. If you have questions, please let them be known. There is a question box on the table in the back of the auditorium if you prefer to write out your question.
The religious world appears to be hopelessly divided in this 21st century, and many seem content to continue that way in spite of God’s disapproval,
I Corinthians 1:10. There is only one sure way division can be resolved: every one of us must put away our man-made creeds, sectarian attitudes or catechisms, and just “go back to the Bible” for what we believe and what we practice. That is a worthy goal for all of us, is it not? We are determined to do that very thing—no additions, no changes. Won’t you come go with us?
