WELCOME TO INDA CHURCH OF CHRIST
We, the members of the church of Christ – the only church for which Jesus died and shed His blood -, do all according to His authority. We accept the apostles teaching offered to the members of the church in the first century and on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:42, 47). The church of Christ was established on the day of Pentecost (AD 33). This day occurred following Christ’s resurrection and was held in the city of Jerusalem, and according to Old Testament Prophecy.
The prophets Isaiah and Micah foretold, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us his ways, and we shall walk in His paths’” (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1). The expression “Lord’s house” refers to the church (1Tim 3:15). When Peter answered Christ’s question concerning who His disciples thought He was, Christ promised that – upon the rock of the truth (that He was God) in Peter’s answer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt 16:16) – He would build His church (Matt 16:18). It is clear, therefore, that Christ is the founder of the Church and our purpose is to build this true Church (Matt 16:18; 1Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20-22).
As members of the church of Christ, we wear Christ’s name in congregations around the world; Christ established it, He shed His own blood to purchase it, and reigns as head over it (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18). We are not, therefore, part of any denomination; we belong only to the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
According to the Bible’s authority, therefore, we have no earthly headquarters, and belong or participate in no universal organization. The church of Christ is universal – we have family around the world -, each congregation is autonomous (or ‘self –ruled’), and are independent of every other congregation. The church often cooperates with one another in the accomplishment of good works, but individual autonomy is carefully maintained. The church’s pattern is divine in origin. Jesus Christ is recognized as the superior ruler over the church for which He died. “And He is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning of the firstborn from the dead that in all things He may have the preeminence (Col 1:18).
No man serves as the earthly head over the church. Christ has, however, delegated authority in the management of the local congregation to the elders, pastors, or bishops – three different terms referring to the same office (Acts 20:17, 28: Eph 4:11; 1Tim 3:1; Tit 1:5). There must be plurality of elders in every congregation (Acts 11:30; 14:23). The church of Christ also has a special group of men called deacons. They serve under the direction of the elders (I Timothy 3:8-13). Additionally, the church of Christ also has men known as preachers (1Tim 4:5; 2:7), ministers (1Tim 4:6), or evangelists (II Tim 4:5) and also serve under the direction of the elders of the local congregation. We do not refer to our preachers as “Pastor,” believing that this term as used in the New Testament refers to those who have the oversight of the congregation (i.e., elders).
We worship God in spirit and truth as demonstrated by the early church in the first century (John 4:24; Acts2:42). We find Biblical authority and instructions regarding five items of worship, and these we attempt to follow:
(1) Teaching and / or preaching (Acts 20:7);
(2) Praying (1Thess 5:17);
(3) Contributing to the Lord’s work (2Cor 9:7);
(4) Singing (1Cor 14:15; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Heb 2:12; Heb 13:15; James 5:13); and
(5) Partaking of the Lord’s supper on each first day of the week (Mt 26:26-28; 1Cor 11:24-25; Acts 20:7).
Such pattern is set by the New Testament and stands as the authority for our worship.
When ensuring obedience to the commands of the New Testament, members of the church of Christ find Biblical evidence for the specific change, understanding, and obedience process which must be taken. God’s word teaches that this process brings about salvation and at the same time God adds the saved to the only church for which Christ died (Acts 2:47).
(1) Hearing (Rom 10:17): one must read the word of God before he or she can weigh the evidence of the Gospel’s truths;
(2) Faith (Hebrews 11:6): “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is (information), and that He is a rewarder (trust) of those who diligently seek Him(obedience)” (italicized words added by editor). It is important to note that faith is made up of three elements –information, trust, and obedience. This complete faith is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; John 8:24; 20:30-31: Heb 11:6);
(3) Repentance (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30): the product of an humble heart, understanding, and faith, repentance is the process of turning away from all sin and turning toward God. This is required for salvation;
(4) Confession (Matt 10:32; Romans 10:9-10): the open proclamation of our conviction that a) Jesus is the living Son of God; b) our commitment to live according to that conviction; and c) our dedicated service to Him until death.
(5) Baptism (Mark16:16; Acts2:38; 22:16): the process of full immersion in water, in the name of Christ for the remission of sin, is required by the head of the church, Jesus Christ. The New Testament teaches that baptism is an act of submission which is essential to salvation.
We are humbly grateful to God for this opportunity to introduce you to the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5) and invite you to read the lessons on this site, verify the accuracy by using our only authority - God's word, the Bible – , and contact us for more information and assistance in understanding and obeying the only process whereby you can spend eternity with your Father in heaven.
