Since the death of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His Church, the world has existed for approximately 2,000 years. A great deal has changed in the world since then, and even more has changed in religion. According to the Bible, Jesus intended to establish one Church, which practiced one faith, believing in one God, and preaching one hope (John 17.17-23; Ephesians 4.3-6; 1 Corinthians 1.10,13).
Nevertheless, the intention of Christ has been disregarded seeing that there are hundreds of different religious groups which designate themselves by different names, creeds, practices, and governments. For years Protestantism hoped to reform Catholicism because of differences that were found in the Bible. Yet, during the battle for religious reform many disagreed with each other and religious division was born. Denomination fought against denomination, Christian against Christian, until very recently these religious sects have agreed to disagree and be at peace with one another.
The plea of these divided sectarian groups is unity. But how can religious unity exist in religious disunity? How can unity exist when each denomination has its own separate belief in government, creed, practice, and worship? The Bible is emphatic, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1.10). Can those denominations which advocate unity in disunity honestly say that they are in accordance with the Word of God? If the answer is yes, then either they are ignorant of Gods commandments or they seek to do the Devils work.
Before Protestantism and long before Catholicism, there was the Church of Christ! The Church of Christ is the church of the New Testament (Matthew 16.18,19; Acts 20.28; Romans 16.16; Ephesians 1.20-23; etc.). Before there were creeds and long before there were traditions, there was the Bible! Denominations want to believe that their church was established by Christ: thereby acknowledging His authority and the authority of His word. But when their beliefs, practices, and governments are contrary to Gods Law it is evident that their church is nothing more than a human institution.
The Bible says, “It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10.23). Therefore, the psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119.105). If we are not safe in believing and obeying the commandments as set forth in the New Testament of the Holy Scriptures, then there is no assurance of our salvation. There is no better standard for religious faith and practice than the Bible! It is able to make one wise unto salvation and has been given by inspiration to teach, to reprove, to correct, and to instruct in righteousness unto perfection (2 Timothy 3.15-17).
The Church of Christ openly rejects the neglect and perversion of the Holy Scriptures. We commence our career as a church under the banner, The Bible our only guide; the Bible we must rightly divide! We ignore all man-made names, creeds, and authorities and count them as rivals to the unerring and infallible Word of God. The Church of Christ seeks to return to the ancient order of religion as demonstrated in the New Testament. We continue in the apostolic doctrines and practices as indicated in the New Covenant. And our plea is for religious unity, but not at the cost of a perverted Gospel!
Let all sectarianists relinquish their man-made teachings for New Testament Christianity! Denominations that intend to maintain their rebellious stance by holding on to their man-made religion, that never intend to review their position, nor to investigate how far they have departed from the New Testament will hate and oppose such a position as a restoration to the biblical pattern.
We encourage an investigation into our practices and our beliefs. You will find that our name is biblical. Individually we are Christians and collectively the Church of Christ (Acts 11.26; Romans 16.16; 1 Corinthians 12.27; Ephesians 1.22,23). You will notice that our government has for its head Jesus Christ (Colossians 1.18; Ephesians 4.11-16). You will be amazed at the restored worship of the first century (Acts 2.41,42; 20.7), and at the maintaining of the apostles doctrine (Galatians 1.6-9; 2 Thessalonians 2.15). In the end, you will be overwhelmed with joy knowing that you have finally found the church you can trust your soul with (Ephesians 5.23)!
Why not be just a Christian? Why not follow just the Bible? At the Central church of Christ at Pflugerville, we are doing just this. Come and join us as we seek to worship God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12.28). God is true!