Articles
What is the Anderson church of Christ?
Discounting hear-say, rumors, and gossip, what do you really know about the church of Christ first hand?
The church of Christ at Anderson is not a denomination. We have not splintered from some other church or denomination. We exist as did the first century church we read about in the Bible. We believe we are the church that Jesus built (Matthew 16:18) and are ready to defend it.
We have no central headquarters that controls or tells us what we can or cannot do. We have no head except Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23).
We use the Bible as our only authority (Colossians 3:17). We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and do not have nor follow any creeds, manuals or disciplines of men (Galatians 1:8-9). We believe the Old Testament has been fulfilled (Matthew 5:17) and that the New Testament is the Law that men are to follow and obey today (John 12:48).
We are autonomous from all other churches, that is, we do not depend upon other churches for money or funds to do our work, nor do we interfere with the business of other churches. We do not solicit money from anyone outside our membership to support the work of this church. We do not use any fund raising programs nor beg through radio or T.V. for any money. Each member of this church gives to the Lord, not to the preacher, as he or she has been prospered upon the first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those funds are used to preach and teach God's Word and never used to fund social programs, ball games, dinners or bingo parties (Romans 14:17).
Our worship consists of what the first century church did in worship to God (Acts 2:42: 1) Sing without mechanical instruments (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). 2) Pray through Christ to the Father (Colossians 3:17). 3) Take the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week (Sunday) (Acts 20:7). 4) Give of our means as we have prospered on the first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:1-2). 5) Study God's holy Word by preaching and teaching in worship services and Bible classes (2 Timothy 4:2; Acts 20:7).
The preacher is not a reverend or a pastor nor is he the leader of this church, but simply a servant of God's Word (2 Timothy 4:2). The church here has four elders that lead the flock (Acts 20:28) and ten deacons that serve (I Timothy 3:8ff).
None of our members here claim to be perfect, nor do we think we are better than anybody else. Our desire is to go to heaven and in order to do so, each one of us must obey the Word of God (Matthew 7:21).
Why not come and worship with us. We will not embarrass you nor ask you to do anything but open your Bible and study with us with an open heart. If you find that we teach or practice anything that is not found in God's Word, you would be our friend if you would tell us (James 5:19-20).
