Simply Christians...
Who are these people who seek to be only Christians?
We are simply a group of Christians who have fully dedicated ourselves to worship and actively work as a congregation according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles. We wear no name but Christ's (Christian). We don’t claim to be perfect, but we are confident of our salvation in a perfect savior. As members of the Church of Christ (Romans 16:16), we go back to the Bible for every practice and strive to be Christians only.
We are simply a group of Christians who have fully dedicated ourselves to worship and actively work as a congregation according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles. We wear no name but Christ's (Christian). We don’t claim to be perfect, but we are confident of our salvation in a perfect savior. As members of the Church of Christ (Romans 16:16), we go back to the Bible for every practice and strive to be Christians only.
Simple Doctrine...
We use the Bible as our only source of doctrine. The Bible is God’s only and complete revelation to mankind. It is described as “inspired of God” (II Timothy 3:16), which literally means, “God breathed.” While the Bible was clearly given to us as a religious guide, it demonstrates amazing historical, archaeological, and scientific accuracy. It is God’s tool for communicating Himself and His will to us. In its pages we discover what we should believe and how we should live.
Simple Organization...
There was no hierarchy in New Testament times as is seen today in many denominations. The organization of the church in the Bible was simple in its arrangement. Not one congregation had any authority over any other congregation. Each one was autonomous (self-governing). There were elders (also called bishops and pastors) who were the overseers of their own local congregation of which they were members (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-3). God has given them the charge to see to it that all is done according to His Word. There were also deacons who were special servants of the church (1 Timothy 3:8- 13; Acts 6). Like the early church, we also have this simple organization.
Simple Worship...
In our modern English, worship is simply defined as man’s adoration to God. But we can see that worship throughout the Bible was much more than praying to God and singing His praises. Biblical worship is bowing down to God. It is an act of willing submission that is motivated by our love and respect for God. Worship also includes sacrifice. Under Mosaic Law, the sacrifices were the blood of bulls and goats, drink offerings, tithing, etc. All were an important part of temple worship. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice (Rom. 8:3). Jesus’ death on the cross put an end to Old Testament temple worship and ushered in a new era of worship, worship that is in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Worship is no longer about the place (the Temple) or the process, it’s about the heart.
As individual Christians we worship God daily when we pray, study, and sing to God. We honor and show worship to God when we sacrifice our own will and submit to the will of God (Rom.12:1). It is worship when we put away our own selfishness and do good to others by being generous and hospitable. Worship in this sense cannot be defined or written as a check list. We simply love God with all our heart, mind, soul, strength, and loving our neighbors as our self (Luke 10:27).
In addition to individual worship, the Bible describes Christians gathering more formally as a group to offer their worship (Hebrews 10:25). The Apostle Paul tells the early Christians that their worship assemblies should be for the edification of all the members and to be decent and orderly (1Cor. 14:40). To help us keep our minds and hearts on God so that we may worship Him in spirit and in truth, we try to minimize distractions. We engage in worship activities as simply as we can. Unity and fellowship are enjoyed each first day of the week when we come together for congregational worship. We can identify several approved worship activities in which the first century Christians engaged.
LORD’S SUPPER–Jesus’ sacrifice can be seen each Sunday as we partake of the bread and fruit of the vine to remember His death, burial and resurrection. (I Cor. 10:16, I Cor. 11: 26).
PRAYER — Worship through praise and adoration is expressed through prayer, while also asking for God’s continued blessings. These prayers are not prewritten or memorized but are expressions of the heart, led by ordinary members. These are offered in the name of Jesus. (I Thess 5:17, James 5:13-16, Matt 26:41, Matt. 6:9).
SINGING– All members of the congregation are invited to share together in singing hymns of worship and encouragement. No record of instrumental accompaniment is found in New Testament worship. As a result our singing is simply vocal or a cappella. (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).
LISTENING TO GOD’S WORD — A bowing down to God, begins with learning what the Bible has to say to us. We show honor to God and worship Him by reading aloud the Scriptures and by listening to sermons preached about those texts. (2 Tim.4:1-4).
GIVING– Worship also involves giving of our talent, time and funds. A contribution is taken each week to support the work of the local congregation as determined by the Elders. All gifts are free will. A “Tithe” is not required but each person has the opportunity to freely give what they have purposed in their heart. (1 Cor. 16:1-2, Philipians 4, 2 Cor. 8-9.).
As individual Christians we worship God daily when we pray, study, and sing to God. We honor and show worship to God when we sacrifice our own will and submit to the will of God (Rom.12:1). It is worship when we put away our own selfishness and do good to others by being generous and hospitable. Worship in this sense cannot be defined or written as a check list. We simply love God with all our heart, mind, soul, strength, and loving our neighbors as our self (Luke 10:27).
In addition to individual worship, the Bible describes Christians gathering more formally as a group to offer their worship (Hebrews 10:25). The Apostle Paul tells the early Christians that their worship assemblies should be for the edification of all the members and to be decent and orderly (1Cor. 14:40). To help us keep our minds and hearts on God so that we may worship Him in spirit and in truth, we try to minimize distractions. We engage in worship activities as simply as we can. Unity and fellowship are enjoyed each first day of the week when we come together for congregational worship. We can identify several approved worship activities in which the first century Christians engaged.
LORD’S SUPPER–Jesus’ sacrifice can be seen each Sunday as we partake of the bread and fruit of the vine to remember His death, burial and resurrection. (I Cor. 10:16, I Cor. 11: 26).
PRAYER — Worship through praise and adoration is expressed through prayer, while also asking for God’s continued blessings. These prayers are not prewritten or memorized but are expressions of the heart, led by ordinary members. These are offered in the name of Jesus. (I Thess 5:17, James 5:13-16, Matt 26:41, Matt. 6:9).
SINGING– All members of the congregation are invited to share together in singing hymns of worship and encouragement. No record of instrumental accompaniment is found in New Testament worship. As a result our singing is simply vocal or a cappella. (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).
LISTENING TO GOD’S WORD — A bowing down to God, begins with learning what the Bible has to say to us. We show honor to God and worship Him by reading aloud the Scriptures and by listening to sermons preached about those texts. (2 Tim.4:1-4).
GIVING– Worship also involves giving of our talent, time and funds. A contribution is taken each week to support the work of the local congregation as determined by the Elders. All gifts are free will. A “Tithe” is not required but each person has the opportunity to freely give what they have purposed in their heart. (1 Cor. 16:1-2, Philipians 4, 2 Cor. 8-9.).
Simple Mission
The mission of the church is to evangelize the world with the gospel message (Matt. 28:18-20) and to edify the believers (Heb. 10:25). We want to equip our members to live lives that honor the Lord. Our character should reflect spiritual qualities as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We desire to be salt and light, so that the world will be a better place because we are here.
Won’t you please join us in simply being a Christian?
Won’t you please join us in simply being a Christian?
