Parkway church of Christ

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Romans 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Romans 12:5 So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

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The church of Christ is...

Neither Catholic nor Protestant, but is made up of Christians only. Jesus Christ prayed that his followers would all be one. Paul preached against denominational division in among other places, 1 Corinthians, Chapter 1.

Gary Davenport Parkway Minister

The church of Christ seeks to be that church that Jesus Christ founded, undivided without creeds--with the Bible as our only guide to salvation, worship and Christian living.

As to organization, each local congregation is the highest level of church organization under Jesus Christ. Although local congregations associate with each other and recognize each other as brothers, there is no regional or national direction of the church as we believe is taught in the New Testament.

The Church of Christ is . . . People

This may seem strange to say, but many people equate the church with the building the name is found upon. Many passages in the Bible clear up such misconceptions. For example, in the book of Acts we read the following concerning the actions of Saul of Tarsus before he came to follow Christ:

"As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and hauling men and women committed them to prison" (Acts 8:1-4).

Note in the above text who it was that Saul persecuted. We are told first of all that Saul "made havock of the church," yet in the very same sentence we are told he was hauling [or forcing] "men and women" to prison. What does this tell us? The "church" that was persecuted was the people, not some building or mystical body.

The church is composed of people like you and I. It is plain though that not everyone is in the church of Christ -- Saul obviously was not at the time he was persecuting it. What then sets those apart who are in the church from those who are not?

The Church of Christ is . . . People Who Belong To Christ

Remember back to the passage referred to above in Matthew when Christ spoke to His disciples about the church. He said, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18).

Paul tells us the church was "purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). The question quickly comes to mind then, "How is it that one becomes Christ's?"

For us to realize how one comes to belong to Christ, we again go to His Word. While the religious world gives many differing ideas as to how this happens, God has but one.

In 1 Corinthians Paul addresses the problem of division. In verse ten we read that there were various claims as to who these people were "of" or belonging to. Some said "I am of Paul," others "I of Apollos." Still others claimed to be "of Cephas." There was one group though who said they were "of Christ". (1 Corinthians 1:12).

(Photo: Single Women of the Word, A Parkway group of single women who meet frequently to share and to support each other)The last is clearly the only correct claim. To settle the disputing and bring about the proper unity, Paul set forth a "test" of sorts to determine who one is "of." He said:"Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:13).

The first question needs no answer, for we all realize that Christ is not divided! But how then to determine the true claim? Two points were made:First, was the one you claim to be "of" crucified for you?

Secondly, were you baptized in the name of that person? As to the first question, only Christ can make such a claim. He alone has been given for the sins of mankind (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-9). The second question makes plain something that many want to deny or disregard, but if God said it we have no right to do anything but accept it.

That is, for one to be "of" another, or belong to him, he must be baptized in that person's name, or authority. Now while some dispute such, we again appeal to the Bible as the standard. Christ has made it plain in regard to baptism that:

It is a command of His (Matthew 28:18-20).It is necessary for one to be saved (Mark 16:16).It is necessary for one to have their sins remitted (Acts 2:38).Those who "gladly received His word were baptized" and then "added to the church" (Acts 2:41, 47).It is by this act that we are "in Christ" (Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27).

The point is that those who are "of Christ" must be baptized as He commanded. That means that based on our submission to His will to believe (John 8:24),repent (Luke 13:3), and confess Him before others (Matthew 10:32-33), we will continue our submission and be baptized in the manner and for the purpose Christ commands.

The Bible tells us that it is then that we receive the great blessing of salvation. It is then that we can say we belong to Christ -- we are "of Christ." It is only then that one can rightly wear the wonderful name of "Christian."

Those in the church of Christ are those who belong to Christ, and they are willing to do whatever He has commanded to be partakers of such a great privilege. Excerpted from article by Hal Williams

How does one become a member of the church?

Acts 2:41.. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

When a person accepts the Gospel and does those things that the Lord commands to be done, it is the Lord that adds you to His church--and His church is one, it is not divided. Read for example the entire second chapter of Acts and see as indicated just above after that first Gospel sermon was preached, those who believed repented and were baptized (about three thousand) and the Lord added them to His church.

Acts 5: 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

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