Arthur Church of Christ

The Arthur Church of Christ is drawn together for worship and service by a mutual faith in Jesus Christ. It exists as a simple New Testament body of believers, pointing those around us to the God and Christ of the Bible. Its doors are open to all who from the depths of their hearts would reach out to God in meaningful worship, godly living and Christian service.

Our worship assemblies are simple and warm, planned to encourage each individual to commune rewardingly with the heavenly Father. Brought together by deep personal need to praise God and receive His blessings, Christians participate in worship. Prayers offered are heartfelt expressions of praise and petitions to God.

Requests for special prayers for special needs are welcomed. Spiritually uplifting congregational singing furnishes opportunity for individual expression of worship. Observance of the Lord’s Supper each first day of the week, as practiced by the early Christians, provides edifying communion with the crucified Savior. Attention to God’s word is given a prominent place, for we believe that in Christian worship God always speaks, and that we must be attuned to hear.

We are a free, independent, undenominational congregation, with Christ alone as head. We are free to study, teach and work as our conscience, directed by the Bible, leads us. We lament the denominational divisions of today, and pray for the time when all professed Christians would divest themselves of all humanly-devised barriers and stand only in the unity of the faith that is in Christ. Believing that only Christ has authority over His church to determine our teachings and practice, we endeavor to faithfully follow the pattern of the New Testament in our mission, principles of Christian living, conditions of salvation, worship, name, organization and dependence on God. We do not exist to serve ourselves, but to follow Him who came, served, and gave His life a sacrifice for many. According to our means and opportunities we serve in our community and elsewhere through benevolence and mission works.

As recognized in the church of the first century of the Christian era, we view all Christians as having equal status. All members of the Lord’s body (the church) are ministers (servants) of God, using whatever talents or gifts they have for His glory. We do sometimes have those who devote themselves to the preaching of the Gospel, but these are not regarded as a special class of priests. The New Testament recognizes the priesthood of all true believers, and does not make a clergy-laity distinction. Our preachers do not wear titles such as “Father” or “Reverend”, both of which are reserved for the name of God (Matthew 23:9-12; Psalms 111:9).

We endeavor to be a simple body of New Testament Christians—Christians, and Christians only—without identifying with any denomination. We have no earthly headquarters, being answerable only to Christ, our Head, who resides at the Father’s right hand in Heaven. We honor Christ alone, in wearing His name alone, individually as Christians, and collectively as a church of Christ (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16; Romans 16:16). As Christians, we have no denominational requirements for identification with our congregation. We believe the Lord adds all the saved to His church, and it is not something to be joined (Acts 2:47). We believe that all who respond today to the Gospel of Christ as those responded in the first century of the church will become what they became—Christians. We require neither more nor less. Simply stated, those who heard the Christ-centered Gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and believed the message, put their trust in Christ by repenting of their sins, and, upon a confession of their faith, being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:36-38; 8:12, 35-39; 22:10, 16). Infants, being without personal guilt, are not considered proper subjects of baptism. Infant baptism was not commanded in the New Testament, nor is there an example of such. Baptism was reserved only for those capable of understanding the Gospel and trusting Christ for salvation in their baptism. We believe infants are safe, never having been lost through personal sin. Too, since baptism, as practiced by John the baptizer, by Christ, and by the early church was a burial in water (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12-13), we also insist on immersion, and do not recognize sprinkling as valid. In fact, “baptize” is a transliteration from the New Testament Greek word, “baptizo”, which means to immerse or bury. We hold that the basis of our acceptance by God is only through Christ. Without Him, because we all sin (Romans 3:23) we are under the penalty of spiritual death (Romans 6:23). but Christ shed His blood in His death for the remission of our sins, becoming our substitute, the sacrificial “Lamb of God’ to take away our sins (John 1:29; Romans 5:6-9; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 3:18-21). Following His crucifixion, Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father to intercede in our behalf (Hebrews 10:12, 18-23). As Christians, we rejoice in the constant cleansing by His blood as we repent, walk in the light of His Gospel, and confess our sins to God (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:7-9). Since the establishment of the church, as recorded in Acts 2, non-Christians were never told in the New Testament to pray for forgiveness, but Christians, as His spiritual children, are told to do so.

Our endeavor to be just Christians is not a claim to infallibility. It is commonly said, “We are not right—the Bible is right.” We do not set ourselves up as judges, realizing all must one day, at Christ’s return, appear before Christ as our judge (1 Corinthians 5:10). The standard by which we will be judged will not be denominational creeds and laws, but His word (John 12:48). We challenge all to test what we say by the Scriptures, as did the Bereans at the preaching of Paul (Acts 17:11).

If what we teach or practice is not in accord with New Testament Scriptures, we will change. You will find as you visit various churches of Christ that there are differences that exist—usually minor, and not affecting salvation. A common motto among us is, “In faith, unity; in opinion, liberty; and in all things, charity.” One Christian was told by a friend, “I believe I could make a (denominational name) out of you.” He asked, “How would you do that?” The friend said, “By teaching you the truth.” The Christian replied, “No. Any truth you teach me will not make me a member of your denomination. It will simply make me a better Christian.” If your desire is to worship the Father “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), and if you enjoy teaching and preaching that is Christ-centered and Bible-based, we believe you will be blessed in worshiping with us. You will find added power and meaning God can provide for your life. If you are trying to find some answers, and are seeking for people who genuinely care, we believe you will find such among us. We will be happy to study and pray with you, seeking for answers from God’s word. If you are wanting true friends, we believe you will find genuine friendship among committed Christians who care for your soul. The world can be quite cold and heartless, and sometimes even relatives and friends become so occupied with their own affairs that they have little concern for others. In Christ, ours is a fellowship wherein we “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

•    Expect Simplicity. Our building is nice, but it’s simple. The people are few in number, and probably much like people you already know. Our worship procedure is not elaborate, but concentrates more upon scriptural substance than form. Songs are sung without instrumental accompaniment, for we find no authority for instrumental music being added to the specified vocal music in worshiping God (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Bible study usually consists of a verse-by-verse study of a Bible book. Questions and comments from those in attendance is encouraged. Following Bible class, there will be an intermission of about 15 minutes. Feel free to move around, use the bathroom, or visit with others. Worship usually will begin with a song or two, followed by the reading of Scripture and a prayer. Another song or two will be sung by the congregation, and the Lord’s Supper will be observed. This is done each week. We practice what is often called “open communion”. While it is designed for scripturally baptized believers, each is to judge his own status and his own heart in deciding whether to partake. Following communion, a freewill offering is taken up to support the Lord’s work financially. While all donations are appreciated, visitors need not feel expected to contribute. Members of the body here give as they purpose in their hearts and as they have prospered (1 Corinthians 16:1-2;II Cor. 9:7). Another song or two will follow. A sermon will then be brought, usually by the local evangelist. It is usually about 30 minutes in length. At its conclusion, an invitation will be extended, with an invitation hymn, for people to accept Christ in confession of faith and baptism, if they have not already done so, or to ask, as Christians, for the prayers of the church as they either confess some unfaithfulness or request the church’s prayers for some special need. For some, it is a time of rededication. At the close of the service, announcements are often made, sometimes followed by another song, or a verse or two of a song, and then a closing prayer. A similar procedure is followed Sunday evenings and at Wednesday night Bible study, except no contribution is taken, and the Lord’s supper is not served Wednesday nights.

• Expect Friendliness. You will be welcomed personally by others, but will not be put in an embarrassing situation, such as being asked to stand and introduce yourself. Sometimes we have a potluck following services, and if you visit us on such Sundays, we hope you will stay, eat with us, and get better acquainted with us. Be our guest. You need not bring anything but yourself.