10 REASONS WHY WE SAY "THE CHURCH OF CHRIST "

1.  Christ purchased the church with his blood. (Acts 20:28)

2. Christ built the church. (Matt. 16:18)

3. Christ called the church "His". (Matt. 16:18)

4. The church is called the body of Christ. (Eph 5:25)

5. The church is referenced as Christ on house.(Heb. 3:6)

6. Christ gave himself for the church. (Eph. 5:25)

7. The church is the bride of Christ.  (2 Cor. 11:2, Rev. 19:9)

8. Christ is the savior of the church.  (Eph. 5:23)

9. Christ is the head of the church.  (Eph. 1:23)

10:  christ adds be saved to the church. (Acts 2:47)
 

Attending a church for the first time is like a first time visit to any organization.  There will always be the uncertainty of the unknown.  Questions such as "Where do I sit?  What do I do? Where are the restrooms? What do I wear?  Should I go to Bible class or not?  Will anyone speak to me?"

Please be assured that when you visit the Skyview congregation it will not be a scary situation.  You will be greeted by people standing near the entrance who will give you a visitor's packet containing the week's bulletin, a visitor's card and information about the congregation.  They will also be able to answer any question you may have about the church or your visit.

We believe you will feel comfortable in our midst.  We are all just sinners saved by God's grace through Jesus Christ trying to live a good life in Him.

If you attend a worship service on Sunday morning you will find that we engage in several forms of worship as we worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).  You will be invited to join us in praise in these ways we worship God:

• SINGING -- Our singing is  a capella  (Meaning without instruments).  A song leader will announce and lead songs that will appear in a PowerPoint presentation on a large screen.  We blend our voices in a spirited way as we worship and praise God
• PRAYING -- Several public prayers will be led during a typical service.  These prayers are led by the men in the congregation and are from their hearts.
• COMMUNION -- We partake of the bread and fruit of the vine every first day of the week, as per Acts 20:7.  In this memorial feast we remember the Lord's death, burial and resurrection.  This is an open communion and everyone is invited to partake.
• SCRIPTURE READING -- Before the sermon a passage is read by one of the men which will be the text for the lesson to follow.
• PREACHING/TEACHING -- The lesson which typically lasts less than thirty minutes reflects on God's Word in helping to learn how to apply His Word to our lives.  Often scriptures are read aloud by the congregation during the sermon. The sermons from the pulpit are also presented on the large screen in PowerPoint form.
• BIBLE CLASSES -- Following the sermon, Bible classes are conducted for all ages.  In these classes the Word of God is presented in an informal way and everyone has the oppotunity to publicly comment or ask questions.  

We encourage you to pay us a visit.  You will not be disappointed.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST?

If you want to become a member of the church of Christ, you need to be added by Jesus himself.

Acts 2:44,46-47 "44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH daily such as should be saved."

As you have read from verse 47, those who believed in Jesus were added to his church. They were added by Jesus himself. But it is not only belief that is needed for you to be added to Christ's Church. Few more things need to be done. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, the Jews who were convicted of crucifying the innocent Lord asked the most important question.

Acts 2:37-38 "37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

When they asked, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins. Did they do this? Surely Yes.

Acts 2:40-41 "... And with many other words he (Peter) testified and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourself from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them."

Those who believed and got baptized were added to a group of apostles and therefore were added to the church. (Acts 2: 47) This is how one becomes a member of the church of Christ. He is added by Christ upon belief, repentance and being baptized. Let's see if the Corinthians were added to the church through this same process.

Acts 18:1,4,8 "1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized."

The Corinthians heard the gospel preached, believed and then got baptized. This is how they were added to the church of Christ. This is how they became members of the Lord's church.

If you want to become the son of God then don't hesitate to believe, repent and be baptized. And this is how you put on Christ.

Galatians 3:26-27 "26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

It is through baptism that you become a Christian. And it is through baptism that you become part of the saved. It is through baptism that you are connected to Christ, the source of righteousness. If you are ready to become a Christian, brethren in the church of Christ are more than ready to help you. Visit the church of Christ that is near to you. You will receive a warm welcome and get helped.

"The churches of Christ greet you." (Rom 16: 16)