What To Expect
Our worship service is considered traditional for churches of Christ. It is not contemporary or instrumental. We strive to worship God in Spirit and Truth. As Jesus said in John 4:24, "God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Prayer
During the worship service some of the men will lead the congregation in public prayers. Acts 2:42 says, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Singing
We will sing several songs and hymns together, led by one or more song leaders. These will be sung A cappella (without the accompaniment of musical instruments). We sing in this manner because it follows the pattern of the first century church and this is the only kind of music authorized in the New Testament for worship. Ephesians 5:19 says "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
The Lord's Supper
We partake of the Lord's Supper each Sunday, following the pattern of the first century church. Acts 20:7 says, "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." In partaking of the Lord's Supper we remember the Lord's death until He comes again. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Paul said, "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."
Giving
We give a donation for the work of the church each first day of the week, realizing that God has richly blessed each of us. The church does many good works that require financial support. 1 Corinthians 16:2 says, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
Bible Study (preaching/Teaching)
We engage in Bible study, primarily through preaching of the Word, but also through Bible reading and direct teaching. 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Paul tells Timothy, "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at this appearing and his kingdom; Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." At the close of the sermon, an invitation will be extended to any who wish to respond in obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A Brief Introduction to the
Church of Christ
The church of Christ dates back to the days of the New Testament (Romans 16:16). It was founded by Christ on the Day of Pentecost, A.D. 33 (Acts 2), just after His ascension back to heaven. In the years that followed, it rapidly grew to fill Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria, and finally the whole Roman Empire (Acts 1:8 & Colossians 1:23). It was first established in America in the late 1700’s, up in the New England states.
The church of Christ is noted for its emphasis upon returning to New Testament Christianity and for its desire to unite all Christians into one body (1 Corinthians 1:10). We believe that the New Testament is the only rule for faith and practice in religious matters (2 Timothy 3:17 & 1 Peter 4:11) and that it must authorize all that is done in Christian worship (Colossians 3:17 & Revelation 22:18-19). Thus we try to strictly follow the New Testament. For this reason, only A cappella music is used in worship assemblies and the Lord’s supper is observed every Sunday. We believe the Bible teaches that sinners are saved by faith, repentance, confession, and baptism (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 & Romans 10:9-10) and that a Christian must remain faithful to the Lord after conversion (Revelation 2:10). The church of Christ is organized with elders, deacons, preachers, and members as in New Testament times (Philippians 1:1).
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:30-31), that the Bible is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and that Jesus will return to take His kingdom (church) home to God (1 Corinthians 15:24). We emphasize sincere worship (John 4:24), every-member evangelism (Acts 8:4), godly living (Titus 2:11-12), love for each other (John 13:33-34), and helping those in need (James 1:27). We believe that it is possible to have religious unity in a day of division by simply following the New Testament pattern and putting aside human traditions.
To put it simply, the Emerald Beach church of Christ is seeking to be the same church one reads about in the New Testament. We aim to follow Bible doctrine, practice Bible teachings, follow a Biblical lifestyle, and have Bible zeal.
Article compiled by David L. Stevenson