The following two articles

The following two articles, as well as many, many others written by brother Allen Webster, originate from the wonderful and faithful brethren at the Jacksonville church of Christ (www.jvillecoc.org) who are also responsible for the House-to-House publication (see: www.housetohouse.com), which we are currently pleased and privileged to provide to thousands here in Rapid City.

This first article holds some especially valuable information for those local folks who might currently attend any of the local, man-made, and man-named denominations which abound around Rapid (and indeed the world), but are not found anywhere in Scripture; those who might be interested in checking out the original, Biblical church, established by and belonging to Christ, but who may be understandably hesitant at the same time about attending a new congregation because they don’t know exactly what to expect…

And while this is written as a general and generic depiction, it is absolutely incredible just how specifically accurate it truly is to the worship of thousands and thousands of congregations of the church of Christ across this country and the world, proving once again, the unity that is achievable when all of those who claim to follow Christ, truly follow His all-authoritative Word in worship (John 4:23-24).

What to Expect When You Visit a Church of Christ

(By Allen Webster; re-printed with permission; HtH and Jacksonville church of Christ )

The church of Christ is a growing, friendly church. We are a diverse congregation that reflects the fact that God’s church is for all people. The crowd often ranges in age from new-born babies (a nursery is usually available) to those who have seen most of a century pass. Professionally, there are those from all walks of life – from blue collar to white collar to students to retirees. We have business owners, plant managers, educators, office workers, plumbers, retail employees, welders, and everything in between. Educationally, we have those with Ph.D.s, as well as those who have not spent much time in school. Most fall into the category of high-school graduates to college bachelor’s degrees. Churches of Christ are diversified – people of all races and nationalities worship and work together as God’s children (Acts 10:34-35).

Every effort is made to allow visitors to feel comfortable. You will not be singled out during the service in any way. You will not be asked to make a “love offering”; in fact, no collections will be taken at all, except during the Sunday morning service when our members make their weekly contribution as an act of worship. Visitors are not expected to participate.

Our services generally open with a brief welcome from one of the members. The song leader then leads the congregation in two or three songs. An opening prayer is offered, followed by another song, and then the preacher delivers a sermon from the Bible. All are encouraged to bring their Bibles and follow along as he leads the study (2 Timothy 2:15).

At the sermon’s end, the Lord’s invitation is offered (Matthew 11:28-30) for any who want to become Christians or rededicate their lives to God. There is no coercion. During the Sunday morning service, the communion is observed by partaking of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (1 Corinthians 11:23-29). Members make a financial offering for the poor and the spread of the gospel (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Guests are not expected to give. The service lasts about an hour and concludes with a song and a prayer. Guests may sit silently in the service, or they may participate.

FRIENDLY. The church of Christ strives to be a “visitor friendly” church. Since many of our members were at one time visitors themselves, we know how it feels on a first visit. We make it our goal to be the friendliest church you have ever visited. We aim to treat others the way we want to be treated, like Jesus said (Matthew 7:12). You’ll receive a warm greeting and find assistance to locate your class (or your children’s class) and/or a comfortable seat in the worship service. You will not be singled out, made to stand, encouraged to give any “testimony”, or in any other way made to feel embarrassed. The services are simple, reverent, practical, and meaningful.

BIBLE-BASED, CHRIST-CENTERED, HEAVEN-BOUND. When you visit, you will meet people who, just like you, sincerely want to follow the teachings of the Bible and please God with their lives. You’ll find that every sermon and class is based on the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In fact, members and visitors are urged to bring their own Bibles and follow along. We still strive to do Bible things in Bible ways, and to call Bible things by Bible names – nothing more or nothing less. We seek to exalt Christ in our songs, prayers, sermons, and lives (Colossians 1:18). An air of hope fills the church as we think of the beautiful promise of heaven for God’s faithful children (Revelation 21).

LORD’S SUPPER OBSERVED EACH SUNDAY. The church of Christ has communion every week, just as they did in New Testament times (cf. Acts 20:7). It is a highlight of the week to commemorate Christ’s death and celebrate His promised return.

[NOTE: It is this very specific act of worship that we are told directly and exclusively by Jesus Christ Himself, that we are to do, “in remembrance of” Him – see Lk. 22:14-20. ~DED]

BEAUTIFUL SINGING. The whole congregation sings a capella (without mechanical instruments), just as they did in New Testament times (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Visitors may sing along or simply listen. Many first-time visitors comment on how beautiful the singing is. Some say that they find it easier to focus on the song’s meaning since the words are more easily understood than with musical accompaniment.

FREE MATERIALS. You will find free booklets, pamphlets, tracts, and back issues of publications displayed in the entrance areas. These are free to any member or guest. Often there will be study materials distributed during Bible classes and worship services. A personal home Bible study (open Bible or video) is available for those who want to know more.

A PLACE FOR EVERYONE. Christ’s church is made up of all kinds of people (1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 3:27-28). You will find members of all races, educational backgrounds, and economic levels feel comfortable in our services. We mean it when we say, “Everybody is welcome.”

EMPHASIS ON FAMILY AND BIBLE SCHOOL . The church of Christ places a great emphasis on Bible school. We feel that children are important, and that our God-given responsibility is to assist parents in teaching them about their origin, purpose, and destiny. They should come to know their Creator, Redeemer, Lord and Savior early in life (Ecclesiastes 12:1; Matthew 19:14). They have been born into a mixed-up world, so we try to ground them in the simple truth so they will know right from wrong.

So bring your Bible and come for that visit you’ve been thinking about. We’ll save you a seat.

(~Allen Webster)

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A brief introduction to the church of Christ

(By Allen Webster; re-printed with permission; HtH and Jacksonville church of Christ )

The church of Christ dates back to the days of the New Testament (Romans 16:16). It was founded by Christ on the day of Pentecost, A.D.33 (Acts 2), not long after His ascension back to Heaven. In the years that followed, it rapidly grew to fill Jerusalem , then Judea, Samaria , and finally the whole Roman Empire (Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:23). In America , the first churches of Christ were planted in the late 1700’s as the result of a movement to go back to the Bible and do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names (cf. 1 Peter 4:11).

We believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:30-31), that the Bible is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and that Christ will return to take His kingdom home to God (1 Corinthians 15:24). We emphasize sincere worship (John 4:24), every-member evangelism (Acts 8:4), godly living (Titus 2:11-12), love for each other (John 13:34-35), and helping those in need (James 1:27). We believe the Bible teaches that sinners are saved by learning of Jesus, faith in Jesus, repentance of sin because of Jesus, confession of Jesus, and baptism into Jesus (John 6:44-45; 3:16; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38). The church of Christ is organized with elders, deacons, preachers, and other members, as in New Testament times (Philippians 1:1). It has no governing body on earth higher than the local congregation.

The church of Christ is noted for its emphasis upon returning to New Testament Christianity and for its desire to unite all Christians into one body (1Corinthians 1:10). We believe that the New Testament is the only rule for faith and practice in religious matters (2 Timothy 3:17; 2 Peter 1:3), and that God’s Word must authorize all that is done in Christian worship (Colossians 3:17; Revelation 22:18-19) Thus we try to strictly follow the New Testament. We believe it is possible to have religious unity in a day of division by simply following the New Testament pattern and putting aside human traditions.

To put it simply, the church of Christ is seeking to be the same church one reads about in the New Testament. We aim to restore its doctrine, its practice, its lifestyle, and its zeal. (~Allen Webster)

We would beseech all of those many and multitudinous, sincerely God-seeking people currently attending man-made churches teaching man-made doctrines here in Rapid City , to just simply and honestly consider these true Biblical and historical facts as they seek to try to follow God:

-There is not one, single, solitary Protestant religion in the world, more than 500 years old; not one,

as all of them were born as a result of protest against the doctrines of the “Catholic Church”, the original apostate and deviant denomination that itself was born some 200+ years after the last Apostle died (See ROMAN CATHOLICISM EXAMINED IN LIGHT OF BIBLICAL TRUTH on this website).

-All of those Protestant denominations are the product of men and women’s minds who lived some

1500 years after Christ established His church, His way, as recorded and reported in Acts 2, and chronicled throughout the rest of the New Testament (See Romans 16:16). (See also CHURCH HISTORIES AND THE ORIGIN OF THE PRAYER OF FAITH FOR “SALVATION” SAKE on this website)

-True salvation is only found in Christ: He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the

Father except by Him (John 14:6). There is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12). He bought His church with His blood (Acts 20:28), and He is the Head of His church (Ephesians 1:22-23). As the head - just as a husband is to his wife - (Ephesians 5:22-30), how can we possibly be bringing Him all the glory possible (Colossians 3:17) when we attend churches that are named for and belong to others instead of Him? ‘Churches that name and therefore glorify Luther, Calvin, Wesley, John the Baptist, and others instead of Christ? How many human husbands would tolerate that? God certainly does not tolerate that at all (Matthew 22:36-38; John 14:15; Hebrews 12:28).