Our  Difference

  What Makes Us Unique?      *Note personal disclaimer at the end.

What about us is similar to "mainstream" Christianity.

  The Bible is the message from God about Jesus the Christ (Promised Messiah, Savior).

  Jesus is the only Savior of souls.

  Heaven is our real home.

  All are sinners by means of failing (falling short of) to be as Holy as is God.

  God made provision for such holiness in the person of Jesus.

  This gift of imputed rightness (righteousness) is a gift, or grace from God.

  Any sinner who is saved is saved by God's grace (forgiving love) and not by any merit of his own (works).

  The Spirit of God (Holy Spirit, God's special personal presence) indwells the life of His children.

How  our fellowship is different from many others.

  Communion (Lord's Supper).  The bread and cup (body and bloodd) represents Jesus and was given by Him.

       This symbolic meal is eaten with reflection on Jesus and His presence among us (communion, fellowship).

       It is observed each Sunday and is the primary reason for coming together.

  Baptism is not a work to earn salvation.  It is the moment of spiritual birth.  It is immersion in water which

       symbolizes the burial and ressurrection of Jesus.

  Acappella Music.  Acapella is Latin for "in chapel style".  The music of the New Testament Church and for

       several centuries thereafter was vocal music (singing).  Instruments (organs, drums, guitars, etc) are suitable

       for secular and religious uses apart from the gathered Church in praise to God.

  Leadership.  There are no headquarters in any place on earth.  There is no higher structure than the local

       leaders.  Each congregation is autonomous.  Yet, each one feels a strong tie with all other like minded

       congregations (brotherhood).  All congregations world wide are taken to be on Church, one Family of God.

  Elders.  Elders are mature men who meet specific spiritual qualifications.  They are the "bishops" (shepherds).

       They are assisted by deacons and preachers (ministers).  All the members are disciples of Jesus and exercise,

       under the Lord's guidance,their individual abilities (gifts).  Each person is valuable. 

  Name of Church.  In the New Testament the Church has no name.  There are several terms that describe the

       Church; Church of God, of Christ, of the Firstborn, Disciples, Christians, Bride of Christ, and more.

       Human names that honor founders or movements are rejected.  Even the use of biblical terms in a divisive,

       separating way is rejected.

  Millennium.  the thousand year reign of Jesus on earth is biblical.  1,000 as a number is a biblical and historical

       reference to a perfect, complete period of time.  It's use in the book of Revelation designates the last age of

       time on earth; the time of Jesus' rule over us.  This period of time (symbolic 1,000 years) began at Jesus'

       resurrection and ends at His next (last) coming.  At that time this earth is destroyed, even the very elements.

       Then is the judgment and the beginning of our habitation of a new (new in kind, not this current one remade)

       heaven and earth (heavenly abode).

  Sabbath.  All through the Old Testament time God's people "observed" the Sabbath by not working.  Sabbath was

       and still is Saturday, measured from sunset to sunset.  Sunday is not a "new" Sabbath.  Jesus is the Lord of

       Sabbath.  Being the Savior He is the Christians' Sabbath rest (not working).  For the Christian each day belongs

       to Jesus.  Each is used to observe His Lordship.  No one day is exalted above the others, not even Sunday.

       Jesus is exalted in our hearts at all times.  Sunday is the Lord's Day in that it is the day of His resurrection.

       Sunday is the day we gather togethr and with Him at His table, communion.  Sabbath observance is a

       perpetual (forever) principle.  It is fulfilled in Jesus and observed in Jesus, thus it continues.  Sabbath is

       forever since eternal heaven is a condition of eternal Sabbath (rest).

  To receive by e-mail Bible references that support these observations send

  an e-mail to  lrcombs@madisoncounty.net  click here 

   Note:  Personal Disclaimer:  "The above observations do not represent

   the views of the brotherhood of Churches of Christ nor of all the members

   of my local congregation.  These are personal views and interpretations

   of the editor of this page."