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"What Is The Church of Christ?"
The church of Christ are Christians striving to follow God's will in worship, in teaching, and in daily life. We have no creed book, no doctrines (other than the bible), and no earthly headquarters. Our congregations are autonomous, meaning they are self-governed by their own elders. We believe that Christ is the head of the church and that we are the body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23). We also believe that we must follow what God says to do in order to become Christians and live a Christian life (John 12:48, II John 9). Our plea is to strive to do our best to please God by obeying what the bible says.
If you belong to a church, is it mentioned IN THE BIBLE? If so, where? Christ's Church VS. Some Churches of Today.
All of the facts presented above may be verified by anyone visiting a public library, and carefully examining a few history books.
Note: In Acts 11:26, were the disciples called baptists, Methodist, Christians, or Catholics?
If you need counseling, do not forget our Life Management Ministry. Are you seeking a church home where its doctrine is derived from the bible only? "We speak where the bible speaks and am silent where the bible is silent." You may visit with us during mid-week bible study (Wednesdays) at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
We will also be happy to set up a meeting to have a bible study. You will receive/learn more information about the Lord's Church and how the Plan of Salvation adds you to the church. You may contact our office at 214-941-2531 or send us an email at info@marsalisavenuecoc.org
What Should You Expect When You Visit Our Church? As the worship begins you will notice that we have a simple service where all who are present participate. The singing is enthusiastic, contagious and heartwarming. The Lord's Supper is served every Sunday, every week in an orderly and reverent manner. Prayers are humble and earnest. The minister's sermon is a clear message from the word of God. You will see that our members open their Bibles and follow along. When the worship is over you can rest assured that the people here will invite you to return for another
visit. Hopefully, you will with a better understanding and a deeper appreciation for simple Christianity revealed in the New Testament and to associate with this group of people who show so much love for God and for one another.
You will not be embarassed. When you visit us, you will be our respected guest. No one will knowingly embarrass you in any way. At the close of the sermon, those who wish to become Christians are invited to accept the gospel and yield to its call with deep spiritual conviction (Acts 2:37,38). However, no one is singled out for public attention, and no one will go about in the audience urging people to go forward BUT we have a special way to greet our visitors!
Our Singing and Praising The Lord: You will immediately notice that we sing without the use of any musical instruments. "A Capella" singing, with our voices raised in harmony to God, is the only music used in our worship. In Ephesians 5:19, Christians were exhorted to "speak to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord." The heart is the only instrument mentioned here. There is no biblical authorization for the use of musical instruments in worship. Early Christians were so strong in their opposition to the use of instruments in worship that no instruments appeared in worship until the sixth century A.D. There was no general practice of instrumental music in Christianity until after the eighth century.
Singing as a part of worship at Marsalis Avenue simply means we know that it is pleasing and acceptable to God and, that it edifies and builds us up as we teach others through our songs of praise unto God. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16). We feel that the best way to please God is to worship him as he instructed in the New Testament. It's not our right to tell God how he should be worshiped.
What Is Prayer? There are several aspects of prayer. Prayer is communion with God. It is a response of man for what God has done for us. Prayer may be an earnest request for something. It may be an utterance of praise or thanksgiving. As Christians who meet at the Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ, we strive to pray in a humble and faithful manner, believing that God hears and answers our prayers (Jas. 5:16). We know that the Lord will continue to hear us and bless us as long as we continue to follow His ways.
The Lord's Supper: Jesus Himself on the night of His betrayal inaugurated this memorial supper (Matthew 26:26-28). Christians observe the Lord's Supper in memory of His death (I Corinthians (11:24-25). The emblems -- unleavened bread and fruit of the vine symbolize the body and blood of Jesus (I Corinthians 10:16). Churches of Christ observe the Lord's Supper on each first day of the week. We do this in order to follow the teaching of the New Testament and the practice of the first century church. In Acts 20:7 we read that "upon the first day of the week the disciples came together to break bread."
Teaching God's Word: The Bible teachers at Marsalis Avenue strive for excellence in their classes. We also have an excellent Early Childhood Learning Initiative (ECLI) that is approved through Dallas County Health & Human Services for parents to gain parenting skills, attend workshop sessions where parents and children the sames lessons but in separate rooms. As each session is complete, parent and child(ren) are able to discuss, communicate God's word learning to worship him in spirit and truth. It brings the family closer to learning about God and his desire for us to obey him and his eternal love for all of his children.
Our teachers study God's word and prepare their lessons well to bring the message of New Testament Christianity to their students. There are lively discussions as teachers guide their students to a better understanding of biblical teaching and of the application of these principles in our everyday lives. Why not join us as we strive to learn more about God's word and His will for us?
We Are Not A Denomination: The church of Christ is not a denomination. We are not Catholic, Protestant or Jewish. We are simply Christians. We are members of the church you read about in the New Testament, established in the first century. The term "church of Christ" is not a denominational designation, but rather it serves as a descriptive term indicating that the church belongs to Christ and we are His followers. It is our conviction that only Christ has the authority to say what the church is and what we should teach (Matthew 28:18).
Since only the New Testament sets forth Christ's teachings, it alone must serve as the basis for all religious practice and teaching. In the first chapter of I Corinthians the apostle Paul begged those who were divided to unite in Christ. We believe that religious unity can be achieved and that the only way to achieve this unity is for all to return to the Bible.
We believe that to subscribe to any creed or doctrine other than the New Testament, to refuse to obey the instruction and principles of the New Testament, or to follow any practice not supported by the teachings found in the New Testament is to add or to take away from the teachings of God. Any additions or deletions are condemned in the Bible (Galatians 1:6-9 and Revelation 22:18-19). We simply strive to do Bible things in Bible ways and to call Bible things by Bible names: nothing more or nothing less.
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