What is the Fourth and Mullins church of Christ?
What do you think of when you hear the word church? The word church is used in many different ways by people today. The word church is defined as those called out for a specific purpose. It simply means the people whom Jesus has called by the gospel: “To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:14). The Bible primarily uses the word church in two senses. First, the Bible uses the word church to describe all people whom Jesus has called by the gospel. For example, when Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:16), and when Paul said, “Christ is the head of the church, and he is the savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:23). Secondly, the Bible uses the word church to describe those whom Jesus has called by the gospel that are in a specific geographical region and have joined together. For example, Paul addresses his letters to the Corinthians to “the church of God that is in Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1), and Luke describes how there arose “a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1). Thus the Bible refers to the universal church (all whom Jesus has called by the gospel) and to local churches (those whom Jesus has called by the gospel in a specific locality that have joined together).
But what about the expression, “church of Christ”? We use this expression to signify exactly what was meant by the Lord when He said, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” ( Matt.16:18). The phrase “my church” signifies His church, and His church, in the possessive phrase, is simply “church of Christ,” or Christ’s church. We see Paul using the phrase “churches of Christ” to describe several local churches in Romans 16:16. Here Paul says “churches of Christ” in the plural, which in the singular would simply be “church of Christ.” And so we are simply a local church of Christ in Waverly, Ohio, or the Forth and Mullins church of Christ.
In America today there are more than 1,500 religious parties, denominations, and sects. All having their own doctrine or creed in which to follow. While all of these different groups recognize the tragedy of division, most of them are busy trying to seek a means or a way in which to unite all believers. It is utterly impossible to unite all human religions on any single human creed, name, or worship. Therefore, we earnestly plead for the unity of all believers on the following Scriptural platform:
No Creed But The Bible.
Human creeds are almost always occasions, and often the cause, of discord, division, and strife. Yet all denominations can agree to accept the Bible. The Bible claims for itself that it is sufficient for all our spiritual needs ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17). This being true, why have creeds that God never ordained that separate believers into different sects and denominations that are against God’s will (1 Cor. 1:10). Jesus died so that we might have the Gospel, not the creeds of men!
The purpose of worshipping God “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24) is not to further denominational division and man-made doctrines, but rather New Testament Christianity. We have no man made doctrine, but simply appeal to the New Testament for everything we teach and practice. You will find that we speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent (1 Pet. 4:11). Christ is exalted as the ONLY HEAD (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23) and FOUNDER (Mt. 16:18) of the church.
No Name But Christ’s.
Human names in religion are marks of distinctions and differences. The only name a believer in Christ is to wear is “Christian” (Ac. 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:16). It is ONLY upon this name that we all can unite! There is no such thing as a denominational name in the Bible with the word Christian after it! Why not, then, eliminate the distinctive party names?
No Organization but The Church.
It would be a hopeless task to seek agreement on the multitude of societies, clubs, and other so called “religious organizations” of modern denominations. In the day of the church’s greatest power and glory the local congregation was the highest, and only, organization known. The church, as such, can do all the work God gave her to do (Eph. 3:10, 21). God’s plan calls for no organization greater than the local congregation.
No Worship But That Which Was Authorized By Christ.
Christian worship is characterized by simplicity. Worship is to be paid to God the creator of all. Worship is spiritual and not material (Jn. 4:24). In many denominations emphasis is put on ritualism, flashy and impressive display, which cannot but destroy the TRUE PURPOSE of worship to God! The appeal today in religious bodies is to the senses rather than to the spirit. By following the plan of worship strictly given by Christ and the Apostles we can have unity among all believers.
Now then, when you attend our services, you will find that our worship consists of those simple acts that were a part of New Testament worship. Our music is the singing of praises to God (Eph. 5:19). We have no choirs, quartets, instruments, or bands, just simple congregational singing from the heart to God, in which all participate. After singing a few hymns, some brother will lead the congregation in prayer (Ac. 2:42; 1 Tim 2:8). The sermon (Ac. 20:7) will be designed to teach a lesson from God’s word, and not an effort to get people drunk with emotion. The sermon will be presented in an intelligent manner, and the congregation will listen reverently. On the first day of the week we partake of the Lord’s Supper (Ac. 20:7), and give of our means as we have been prospered (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
We of the Church of Christ plea with all men everywhere to forsake the doctrines, names, practices, and commandments of men and come to the original religion of Christ and just be Christians, as were the early disciples (Ac. 11:26). Unity of all believers is attained through the word of God (1 Cor. 1:10), while division comes about by not all speaking the same thing. The Bible claims to make Christians and Christians only, and says that anything else is a product of man (Mt. 15:9, 13). There is no such thing in the Bible as Baptist Christians, Methodist Christians, Catholic Christians, etc. The Bible produces Christians, all believing the same thing, and teaching the same thing, just like those in the first century. It is here that we all can unite for the cause of Christ.
We hope you will come and visit us soon and investigate what we believe and teach. A very warm welcome awaits you when you come and visit us. We are truly interested in your soul.