UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES

UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES

Our beliefs are based on the following facts:
God is the creator of the world and His eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen.  (Gen 1:1; John 1:1; Rom 1:20 - 23)


Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He was promised as a deliverer.  His message, and His mission were all foretold in the Old Testament
and confirmed in the New Testament.   ( Genesis 22:18; 2 Samuel 23:5 - 7; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13; Zechariah 12: 13-14    Rom. 3:21). 

Jehovah God ruled through the Old Testament until Jesus Christ established his kingdom (Galatians 3:15)

The New Testament is the Will of Jesus Christ, revealed in completeness through inspiration.  (Heb 9:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 27).  

By following the teachings of Jesus and the apostles and prophets, we have the same message and doctrine as those of the
first century.   We may become Christians.   Simply Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; Eph. 2:20; 1 Peter 4:16). 

Through study, we find that people heard the gospel and in faith obeyed the conditions of God's grace. 
That is, they chose to turn to God and were baptized in order to be forgiven of their sins (Acts 2:38; 22: 16)   


We have that same opportunity to turn from sin, and turn to God.  Dead to sin, that we might be raised to a new life.   (Rom 6: 1 - 7). 
As the early believers were baptized, they were added to the Lord's people or church  (Acts 2:36-47)


As the gospel spread, Christians were meeting in various localities.   (1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:2; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:2)
Each local assembly or congregation was under its own overseers or elders.  (Acts 4:23; Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5)   

The head of the church is Christ and heaven is his headquarters, not a group somewhere. (Ephesians 1:22,23).

Early Christians were taught to be active in their worship. 
On the first day of each week, we are taught to eat the Lord's Supper and remember His sacrifice.   (Mark 14:22-25).  
We are to participate in instruction, hearing the gospel - the good news of  the teachings of the Jesus and the apostles proclaimed.  (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

In the assemblies, we are taught to sing.  Singing praise and giving thanks to God and to his Son, Jesus Christ.  (Romans 15:11; Ephesians 5:19)  
We are taught to share our prosperity, and we find contributions being collected on no other day than Sunday  (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).  
No one tells us how much to give, we are not set to a schedule; but each of us evaluates his own finances and gives as we purpose in our hearts.  (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
  
We also learn that we all pray in public assemblies, with various ones leading our thoughts  ( 1 Corinthians 14: 15-16)   
We do not need the interface of a physical priest to make appeal or request to God on our behalf,
because Jesus Christ is our High Priest, our mediator.  (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6)


Just like early Christians, we are to teach.  Preachers may be sent where we cannot go. 
We find that the gospel was spread throughout civilization in a short time in the first century by its simplicity.  (Colossians 1:23)


We have individual responsibilities, and are taught to live godly lives. 
We can easily see an example from the teachings of Jesus, when he spoke of caring for the sick and injured, such as the Good Samaritan.  (Luke 10:30-37)
  
We are to worship God and Him only.  (Luke 4:8)  we are to serve one another in love .  (Galatians 5:13)  
We are taught to avoid evil, and those things that may entrap us.   ( 1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22)


The message of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles and prophets is simple.   Sin separates us from God. 
Contrite obedience is sought by God.  God has the power to save us from our sins..  (1 Samuel 15:22; Rom 1:16)


Christianity as found in the Bible is simple - and Always has been.   It is complicated by prejudice and arrogance.
Hopefully, your desire is to follow Jesus as He intended - with a simple trusting faith committed to Him and His Word. 
This is who we seek to be - Christians.  


We invite you to visit with us, and learn from the teachings of the Master -  "He is gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  ( Matthew 11:29)  "Salvation is found in no one else"   (Acts 4:12)   
We run a race with our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, so we might receive the reward laid up in heaven for those that are faithful.  
(Hebrews  12: 1-2; 1 Cor. 9:24-27)