We Would Like for You to Know Us Better

Imagine the joy of close fellowship with Jesus Christ without professing allegiance to anyone other than Jesus Christ.  This is what people in the first century did in accepting the salvation offered by Jesus.  “So then those who received His word were baptized and that day there were added three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).  By simple allegiance to Jesus Christ 3,000 souls were added by God to His saved body (Acts 2:47).  These precious souls were saved without professing loyalty to any denomination or human creed.  Since God approved the faith and life of these first century disciples (Acts 2:47), we strive to imitate their example (Acts 10:34).  We continually study the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15), we continually pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and seek the fellowship of God’s people that we may continually “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).  We are fully convinced that all scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) and can thoroughly furnish us unto every good work.  We proclaim and exalt Jesus as resurrected Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).  We recognize Jesus as the only way, truth, and life (John 14:6).  Christ Jesus is our life, the hope of glory (Colossians 3:4; 1:27).  We understand that if we truly love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15).  This is the message of grace and hope we seek to proclaim to a lost and dying sinful world. We are fully convinced that the disciples of the first century were not members of different denominations but were united in one body, practicing one faith, under one source of authority, the one Lord (Ephesians 4:4-6).  To belong only to Christ is something altogether different from belonging to just any one of the many religious bodies in our country (see Matthew 15:3-14).

We urge you, our neighbor, to join in being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-6).  The only way we can answer Christ’s prayer for unity (John 17:20-21) is to let the Bible be our only guide.  We do not claim to be infallible in this and therefore welcome anyone who can teach us the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:25-26).  But we do believe that God’s word is truth, therefore infallible, and consequently it does matter what one believes.  We strive to speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent.  If we would all do this, all human traditions, sectarian names, creeds, and organizations would be set aside and Christ would be glorified.

What to Expect When You Visit with Us

You may be hesitant to attend worship services at an unfamiliar place, with people whom you do not know.  To help relieve any apprehension you may have, we would like to explain what to expect when you visit us.

Many will introduce themselves to you and someone will probably give you a visitor’s card to fill out.  We will not call on or embarrass you in any way.  We honor visitors as our guests, and do not want to draw undue attention to them so as to make them feel ill-at-ease.

We strive to do all things decently and in order, according to the Bible pattern.  You will not be confused by any outburst of emotion (1 Corinthians 14:40), nor the chaos that often accompanies some religious services.  Rather, you may expect to calmly worship God (though fervently and enthusiastically).

You will observe the service to be biblical and scriptural in nature and practice.  We engage in:

• Congregational singing (Ephesians 5:19)
• Prayer, as lead by one of the men of the congregation (Acts 2:42)
• Observing the Lord’s Supper on Sunday (1 Corinthians 11:23-33; Acts 20:7)
• Free will offering of the members of this congregation (2 Corinthians 8:1-8)
• Gospel preaching that is designed to reprove, rebuke, and exhort those who hear (2 Timothy 4:2)

Sincere Response

You can expect to have an ear given to you if you believe that the truth has not been spoken or followed.  Our endeavor is to worship God “in spirit” and “in truth” (John 4:24), and you will be our best friend if you will point out any error of which we may be guilty.  If we concur that we have acted contrary to God’s will, we will repent and follow God.