The word "church" simply means "called out." It refers to people. Therefore, when we speak of the "church of Christ," we are referring to people who have been "called out" of the world of darkness and into the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). The church of Christ meeting at 225 North Purdue Avenue in Oak Ridge, Tennessee is simply a group of people in this community that belong to Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we share a common faith and salvation (Jude 3; Titus 1:4). This faith and salvation are based purely upon the Bible, God's Inspired Word. As individuals who endeavor to believe and teach the same things, we have agreed to work together in order to accomplish God's Will in our community, and also to carry out the commands that God has directed Christians to do when they come together as a church.
No, absolutely not! We believe that denominationalism is sinful. Why? Because denominationalism is based upon division - something clearly condemned in the Bible (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 17:20-21). God's Word teaches against following after men and their man-made doctrines (Matthew 15:7-9; Colossians 2:20-23).
Here at the Oak Ridge church of Christ, we are determined to follow the Bible and do only those things that are authorized therein. We have no denominational creed book, no denominational or inter-denominational alliances, and no connection with any national ecclesiastical organization. We have no councils, synods, or earthly headquarters to make rules and regulations for us. Believing that the Local church is totally sufficient to do the work the Lord has commanded it to do, we do not support out of the treasury any outside institutions to do our work for us.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the church (Col. 1:18) and that anything we believe, teach, or do must be found in the Scriptures (1 Pet. 4:11). Each local church in the N.T. was autonomous and completely independent in doing the Will of God. We unashamedly strive to pattern ourselves completely after the instructions of the New Testament. We believe this to be the only safe course as we make it our aim to please our Lord. When a church simply follows what the Bible teaches, it will not be a denomination. We assure you that we are striving to follow the Bible in everything we do. We are trying to do only those things the Lord has authorized. We invite and encourage you to join us in this effort.
Again, as a church, we try to do only the things we can read about in the N.T. Why? Because the N.T. is the Law for today (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 1:1-2). In the N.T., the disciples "Continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). The breaking of bread refers to the Lord's Supper, and the early disciples came together as a church on the first day of the week to partake of it (Acts 20:7). Thus, you will find us doing the same thing on every first day of the week. The early Christians also engaged in congregational singing without the use of mechanical instruments (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). You will notice that we do not have a mechanical instrument of music in our worship. This is not because we cannot afford one, but simply because we cannot find any Scriptural authority for the use of one in the N.T. (Faith, the Bible tells us, comes from hearing the Word of God [Romans 10:17], and if we do something without faith, it is a sin [Romans 14:23]; therefore, one cannot by faith offer instrumental music as worship to God.) The early Christians also gave of their means on the first day of the week in order to support the Lord's work (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). They also engaged in prayers and the teaching of God's Word. We will be doing all these things in our worship today because we can read about them in the New Testament.
We are under obligation to teach what the Bible says about salvation, nothing more or less. There are many different theories today about what it takes to be saved. Many think that what was necessary to be saved in the early days of the New Testament is no longer necessary today. But the gospel is still the same. No amount of time passing can alter the God-given truth and its conditions of salvation. Whatever it was that made one a Christian in the first Century still makes one a Christian today.
1. We believe that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). God sent His Son to die on the cross in order that we might be saved from our sins and have the hope of eternal life (1 John 2:1-2). This, the sacrifice of His Son, is the grace (unmerited favor) that God offers to us today also.
2. Yet God's grace is not unconditional. We must do the will of God (Matthew 7:21-23; Hebrews 5:9). Even so, when we have done all that is commanded, we can only say as Christ stated: "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, `We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' " (Luke 17:10).
3. The Bible teaches that "without faith it is impossible to please [God]" (Hebrews 11:6). Thus, faith is a condition of salvation (John 3:16).
4. But faith alone is not sufficient (James 2:14-26). We must express our faith by doing whatever God has told us to do. Unless we do this, we cannot be saved.
5. God has commanded all men everywhere to repent of sin (Acts 17:30-31). Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change in one's life. Without repentance, we cannot be saved.
6. Confession is also a condition of salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Unless we confess our faith in Christ, He will not confess us before God, the Father (Matthew 10:32-33).
7. Baptism is also a condition of salvation. Without it we cannot have remission (forgiveness) of our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). When we are baptized (immersed or buried - cf. Romans 6:3-4) in water for the remission of our sins, we are born again and raised to walk in newness of life (cf. Galatians 3:26-27; I Peter 3:21; Colossians 2:11-12; Mark 16:16). Unless our faith is expressed in baptism, we displease God and fail to meet His conditions for salvation.
8. Faithful living is also necessary in order to go to Heaven (Revelation 2:10). If we do not continue on in faith but, instead, fall back into the world, we will lose our souls (Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 2:20-22).
Our plea is for pure N.T. Christianity. We urge all people to forsake denominationalism, renounce all man made creeds and doctrines, and follow the pure teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." (John 8:31). The Apostle John wrote: "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9). Dear friend, it does matter what you believe, and it does matter what church you are a member of.
Our plea is for unity. However, we will not compromise the truth in order to have it. True unity is a "unity of the Spirit," which means it must be based upon the things revealed by the Holy Spirit in the Word of God (Ephesians 4:1-6). Therefore, we plead with all to go to the Bible and follow it fully. This, we are convinced, is the only way to have true unity and be pleasing to God.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them. You can contact us by either of the two listings below. We would be delighted to study with you at your own convenience. We can only take our stand upon the Word of God. We have nothing to offer except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2). We have no gimmicks, no carnal appeal, and nothing fancy (2 Cor. 10:3-5). We believe in Jesus Christ and know that His truth is powerful enough to draw those who are searching for the way, the truth, and the life (John 12:32; 14:6; Romans 1:16). If this interests you, please let us know.
David J. Riggs
E-Mail Address: DavidRiggs01@home.com