The Bible - God’s
Guidebook For Pleasing Him
The Bible is no ordinary book! Without a doubt, it is the inspired Word of God
(2 Timothy 3:16), and its purpose is to reveal God’s Will to man (1 Corinthians
2:11-13). With the Bible as our guide, we can understand what God expects of us,
and how we can be a part of His group of people—the church. All we have to do is
carefully follow the instructions in the Bible, and we can duplicate the church
that we read about in the New Testament.
“I will build My church…”
Jesus promised: “...I will build My church...” (Matthew 16:18). Any church that
claims to belong to Christ should be the same as the one we read about in the
Bible. Anything else is... .something else.
Soon after Jesus ascended back to heaven, He made good on His promise to build
His church. When the people first heard Jesus’ apostles preach His saving
gospel, “those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about
three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:41). The church Jesus had
promised to build had been established that day. “And the Lord added to the
church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47). Notice that the church is
made up of people who are being “saved” (Acts 2:47; cf. Ephesians 5:23). Christ,
the founder, is “...head over all things to the church, which is His body”
(Ephesians 1:22-23). His church “headquarters” is heaven, where Jesus Christ was
on the day His church was founded...and where He rules today.
Who May Become a Member of His Church?
Since the church is made up of those who are “being saved,” how
does one become a saved person who is added to the Lord’s church?
The Bible tells us, clearly and plainly, what one must do to be saved.
To put it simply, one must believe and obey the gospel (Romans 1:16).
Just like those who were first added to the church, it starts when we hear the
Word of God (Acts 2:37; 2:41). Hearing God’s Word will cause us to believe
(Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 2:37; Mark 16:15-16). We then need to repent
of (change our minds about and turn from) our sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38), and
confess our belief in Jesus as the Son of God in front of others (Matthew
10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10). Finally, we need to be “baptized...for the remission
of sins” (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6:3-7). It is at the point of
baptism for the remission of sins, that we stop being lost and start being
saved. And then, the Lord adds us to His church (Acts 2:47).
The church that meets at 1295 Brickyard Road in Chipley is made up of people who
have carefully followed the New Testament pattern for salvation. They are people
who have been “purchased” with the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28), and have
been added to His church (Acts 2:47), having fellowship in the worldwide family
of God.
The church that meets in Chipley is a small collection of people—members of
God’s family—who have chosen to work together in this area. “Family” members in
other locations have also joined together for similar purposes, just as they did
in the first century. Following the Bible’s plan, local congregations—just like
the church in Chipley— exist all over the world.
We are Simply Christians
The Bible tells us about people who are added to the church.
They are:
1. Disciples—“...the number of the disciples was
multiplying...” (Acts
6:1).
2. Believers—“And believers were increasingly
added to the Lord...” (Acts 5:14).
3. Christians—“And the disciples were first called
Christians...” (Acts
11:26).
Members of the Lord’s church are all three: disciples, believers, and
Christians...not members of any man-made denomination. Their work is for the
Lord—instead of for the glory of some human organization. Christians claim to
be “of Christ” and they closely follow the principles taught by Jesus and His
apostles. This includes:
1. The way they live daily—what they say, do, and
think.
2. The way they worship God, both in public and in
private.
3. The way they respect God’s Word—and His
silence—as shown in the Bible.
The New Testament does not reveal any denominational organization. As the
gospel spread, Christians formed congregations in various locations.
Congregations did not join together with other congregations organizationally.
Each congregation was independent of other congregations under its own
elders...and no one else on earth (Acts 14:23).
Every local congregation of the Lord’s church that is organized according to the
New Testament has:
1. Overseers (elders) of the
congregation, appointed as a result of meeting God’s qualifications (1 Timothy
3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
2. Deacons who are qualified to serve
and who carry out work necessary within the local church (1 Timothy 3:8-13).
3. Evangelists who teach and
preach in public, and conduct home Bible studies (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
The church in Chipley follows this pattern of simple Christianity found in the
Bible. We are simply Christians. We do not report to any “headquarters” on
earth; we appoint our own elders and deacons, based on the qualifications given
by God; and we work independently of other groups of Christians.
What Will We Do in His Church?
“… to Him be glory in the church…”
(Ephesians 3:21)
God is glorified when the purposes that He intended for the church are
accomplished. The Bible reveals those purposes...and we should follow them as
the New Testament pattern for the church’s work and worship.
Evangelism
The New Testament disciples shared the good news about Jesus— they “went
everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Just as those first century
Christians did, we at the church in Chipley want to tell the world about Jesus
too. We believe that the gospel is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans
1:16), and so we are excited about sharing this message with those around us.
Our efforts as a church include:
1. Personal outreach by our members (Acts 8:4).
2. Financial assistance to preachers in other areas
of the world (Philippians 4:15-16).
3. Financial support to local preachers (1
Corinthians 9:13-14).
The New Testament does not reveal any evangelistic organization larger than the
local group. The Christians who meet in Chipley do not presume to “improve” on
God’s plan, and so we practice this same kind of local autonomy.
Worship
The church you can read about in the New Testament was a worshipping church
(Acts 2:42). The worship of those early disciples was something to participate
in...not something to watch.
The assemblies for our worship at the church in Chipley are simple, spiritual,
and orderly. Each way in which we express worship to God finds its origin in the
clear commands and examples found in the Bible. The worship includes:
Congregational Singing
Songs of praise, instruction, and encouragement are sung from the heart by all
who assemble together (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Since the New Testament
specifies singing music in worship and is silent about the use of instruments,
all we do is sing.
Bible Teaching
Simple and understandable studies from the Word of God are presented to teach
and build faith (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 2 Timothy 4:1-4).
Prayer
These are times to speak to our Father together, in which we make requests,
offer praise, and give thanks (Acts 2:42; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
The Lord’s Supper
This is a special meal of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine eaten by the
Christians gathered together every first day of the week in memory of Jesus’
death (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
Voluntary Contribution
A collection is taken up from among the members of the church each Sunday to
accomplish the work of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians
9:6-7).
Service
The New Testament church was a church that met the needs of their members, even
to the point that they “...sold their possessions and goods, and divided them
among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:44-45).
The Christians in Chipley want to help each other. We consider it our
responsibility—and honor—to “serve one another” (Galatians 5:13), just as Christ
Jesus served us. We care about one another, both spiritually and physically; and
so we share our prosperity with those among us in need, and serve each other in
any way that we can.
Unity
New Testament disciples were united together—they “were of one heart and one
soul” (Acts 4:32), which is exactly what Jesus had prayed for concerning His
disciples (John 17:20-23). And because they were so united, they did things
together—“continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from
house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts
2:46). These early Christians understood their need—primarily for the Lord—but
also for one another as spiritual family.
Just as close, caring families provide support and encouragement to one another,
so also the Christians at Chipley are committed to a “family” environment that
builds up and unites every member. We are family! And so, each individual
Christian in the group is expected to provide spiritual encouragement to one
another...and especially to those who are new Christians.
Unity is a primary goal for us. As the Bible instructs: “...you all speak the
same thing, and that there be no division among you, but that you be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Our unity is not based on a compromise of the Truth, but is rooted in Truth.
Discipleship
Christians in the first century made efforts to follow Jesus and to grow to
spiritual maturity in Christ—“they continued steadfastly in the apostles’
doctrine...” (Acts 2:42).
The Christians who meet at the church in Chipley are committed to walking in the
steps of Jesus—“For to this you were called…an example that you should follow
His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). We do this by teaching the necessity of moral
purity and the obedience to Bible instruction in all areas of life.
To us, as believers, we understand that the Bible tells us all that God wants us
to do; because: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We provide Bible teaching in worship assemblies and in Bible classes. Our
classes are designed to accommodate age groups and special topics. The objective
is to help all members grow in knowledge and application of the Word.
You are Welcome at Our Next Service
The church that meets in Chipley is committed to following the New Testament and
being a New Testament church. We acknowledge that Christ Jesus is the Head of
the church and the Lord of every member. We have no creed, but Christ; we obey
no book, but the Bible. We worship and serve God in the same way the early
disciples did. We are simply a congregation, or church, that belongs to Christ.
Here is what you will find in this church:
* Evangelism — a FOCUS for living
* Worship - a FORCE for living
* Service - a FUNCTION for living
* Unity - a FAMILY for living
* Discipleship - a FOUNDATION
for
living
The Church that Meets in Chipley—a New Testament
Church
If you would like to know more about the group of Christians who meet at 1295
Brickyard Road, you have several choices. You could visit one of our services.
You could call one of our members. Or you could contact us to schedule a Bible
study at a time and place convenient to you. We also offer several
correspondence courses designed to help you learn more about Jesus, salvation,
and His church. We would be glad to help you discover how to become a member of
the church that belongs to Christ—a church that began twenty centuries ago..
.and which will endure until eternity begins— the church you can read about in
the Bible.