About Us and Our Beliefs
We are a group of disciples of Christ that meet in our homes (Home Church) to study the Bible, worship God and disciple each other, by that I mean that we are in each others lives and know what our brothers and sisters have going on in their lives. Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” We help each other, we counsel each other, we bear our sins to each other, we seek advice from each other. This is different than the world - since “normal” behavior today is based on selfishness, “me first” and everything is fine -
The standard that we hold to is the Bible.
Why do we call ourselves disciples?
"Christian" appears 3 times in the New Testament...and originally it was slang and considered somewhat derisive, a term used by those outside of The Way. (Acts 26:28).
Acts 11:26 “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Acts 26:28 “Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"
1 Peter 4:16 “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”
Whereas "Disciple" appears 296 times...so we feel it more appropriate to be called disciples than Christians, although we do not consider it a problem to be called a Christian (1 Peter 4:16). A disciple is a student who is always learning. So as disciples we consistently are reading and studying our Bibles to stay connected to God and learn His Word.
Origins
Our movement began from the Traditional "Mainline" Church of Christ, focused on becoming a worldwide, evangelistic mission. Changes in leadership over the years smoothed out issues in true Biblical doctrine and developed into the current group of disciples today. You can link to more information, especially finding another church via Disciples Today.
Our Worship Service
Bibles
We endeavor to check even what our leaders teach us and have our Bibles open to read during our messages and lessons. Every time we meet to worship we have our Bibles in hand; Acts 17:11 “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
Music
We believe that music is an essential and integral part of worship. Most of our worship is acappella but sometimes include musical instruments. The music is inspiring and uplifting, and we sing with our hearts to God, but are inspired ourselves in the process. Psalm 98:4-6 “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn—shout for joy before the LORD, the King.” Ephesians 5:18-20 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Chronicles 15:16 “David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.” Psalm 27:6 “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.” Psalm 47:1 “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” 1 Chronicles 25:6 “All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. 2 Chronicles 23:13 “...The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and singers with musical instruments were leading the praises. ...”
Communion
We include communion at every Sunday worship. The breaking of bread and taking of the juice, which represents the sacrifice of Christ, His body and blood, is a method of reconnecting with Christ and being grateful for our salvation. Someone, either the leader that day or another disciple, will present a message reflecting a remembrance of Christ and the sacrifice He made for us so that we could have salvation.
Sermon
We have a main sermon or message.
Contributions
Tithes are not mentioned in the New Testament, however sharing what you have is given in 2 Corinthians 9:16 “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” Acts 11:29-30 “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” Tithes are encouraged on an individual basis, “each according to his ability.” At this point we tithe to The Charlotte Church for missions, out of the country missions and as our hearts lead us. We believe it is Biblical to tithe 10% of our gross income, but where and to what remains a matter of heart. However, since The Charlotte Church is helping us once a month we feel it is incumbent upon us to support the missions (both local and worldwide) of The Charlotte Church.
Other Scriptural examples that reflect what we believe
Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, who died for our sins and rose from the dead. Salvation is found in no one else.
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
1 Corinthians 15:3-5 “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.”
1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men...”
The entire Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God. We take the Bible for what it is, which consists of both literal and poetic truth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Everyone is guilty of sin and in need of a savior.
Romans 3:23 “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...”
Grace in the form of forgiveness of sins is available to everyone through Jesus, the Son of God.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God’s plan of salvation is through repentance of sins, confession of Jesus as Lord, and baptism. We consider baptism to be an essential commitment of heart, faith, repentance, and ultimately a gift of the Spirit, but that salvation is strictly an unearned gift of grace from God.
Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The Church is the body of Christ on earth.
Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
There is one true God who reveals himself to the world as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, commonly referred to today as the Trinity doctrine.
Matthew 28:19-20a "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
John 14:6 "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Acts 2:22-24 ""Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Jesus, the Son of God, is our one and only Lord and Savior. He was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins and rose from the dead after three days.
The Bible is the complete written message of God and is inspired by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Peter 1:19-21 " And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
Each individual must, through faith and obedience, reach out to receive this free gift of salvation when they are mature enough to understand the consequences of their sins.
James 2:14-26 " What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
Luke 14:25-33 " Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."
When people repent and are baptized, their sins are forgiven and they receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:36-41 " "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The greatest command in the Bible is as Jesus stated in Matthew 22:37-39: to love God with all your heart and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. "Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
John 13:34-35 " "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." "
The fruit of the Spirit insipes us to change.
Galatians 5:22-23 " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
While salvation is based on grace and not our good works, disciples have a responsibility to live and work for God as laid out in the Bible. This includes helping others to become disciples (Matthew 28:18-19), training or discipling one another to love God and stay faithful to Him (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 3:12-13, Colossians 1:28-29), and serving the poor and needy (James 1:27).