What To Expect When You Visit With
Us
Many people are hesitant to attend worship services at an
unfamiliar church. We would like to explain what you can
expect when you visit with us at the North Jackson Avenue
Church of Christ.
Courtesy and Kindness
First of all, you will find no special seats for any person.
All are greeted with equal courtesy and kindness (Acts
10:34-35; Galatians 3:28)
You will find no tendency toward entertainment
with beautiful organ or piano music. Like the first century
Christians,
we will engage in the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs (Ephesians 5:19). The words used in our songs will
be easy to understand (1 Corinthians 14:15). God has commanded
the sincere praise of His people to come from the heart (Colossians
3:16).
The New Testament never mentions that
the church had any mechanical instruments of music.
Order and Reverence
You will not be confused by many people speaking or praying
at the same time. Good order will prevail at every service
(1 Corinthians 14:33). You will observe one of the brethren
leading the congregation reverently and quietly in prayer
(1 Timothy 2:1-5).
If you are present on Sunday, the Lord's day, you will observe
the congregation eating bread and drinking the fruit of the
vine in memory of the death of Christ (Matthew 26:26-29).
We do this on the first day of every week, like the Christians
in the first century (Acts 20:7).
You will not find special collections taken at every service.
A collection is taken on the Lord's day (1 Corinthians 16:1-3).
This congregation is supported by the free will offering
of its members. We do not ask non-member to financially support
or work, nor do we engage in fund raising activities like
rummage sales and bingo games. We specialize in being a church
and do not compete with social or civic organizations.
The Bible is Our Only Guide
You will observe that the Bible is the textbook to which
reference is repeatedly made in our classes and sermons.
Special emphasis is placed on that part of the Bible known
as the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 1:16).
You will never be asked to accept what some man says about
the Bible; we want you to read the Bible for yourself to
see "whether those things are so" (Acts 17:11).
The audience will not be embarrassed or singled out for
any sort of demonstration or testimony. You can quietly observe
and study that which you see and hear (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Salvation in Christ
You will hear obedience to the will of Christ emphasized
as necessary to salvation: faith in Christ as taught in the
gospel (Romans 10:17); repentance (Luke 24:47); confession
of faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10); and baptism for the
remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
If there should be a response from someone in the audience
to the appeal mentioned above, you will see them taken to
a pool of water where, in simple likeness to the burial of
Christ, they will be buried in water and raised to walk in
newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).
You will be more than welcome at
all of our services. Please come and bring your Bible to "search the Scriptures" with
us. If you do not have a Bible, we will be happy to help
you get one.
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