The Original Gospel
The announcement thrilled the crowd, firing their souls with expectant hope. It was brief, forthright and authoritative. It was spoken in the obscure Roman province of Galilee, but it would ultimately reach every corner of the world. It was spoken about the year 30 A.D., but it would remain just as powerful through the coming centuries of time.
The announcement? It was the opening proclamation of Jesus the Christ when he began His earthly ministry: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15.
During the next three and a half years, Jesus preached his saving message. Multitudes who sought peace with God and escape from fear and guilt dedicated themselves to following Him. But, those who blinded their eyes and closed their hearts stubbornly rejected the truth about Jesus and crucified Him. Three days later, though, Jesus arose from the death tomb, proving beyond any doubt His claim to be the Son of God.
Christ's death and resurrection ushered in a new beginning when, just seven weeks following His resurrection, on the day of Pentecost, His church was established. The followers of Jesus continued to proclaim the gospel and to establish the church with the power He gave them, exactly as He directed.
Restoring the Original
Nineteen centuries have passed since that triumphant beginning of Christianity. During times passage, the history of Christ's religion and the church that He built can be summed up in one word: change. From the early days of Christianity until the present, man has sought to add his own philosophies and traditions to Christianity while ignoring many of the most fundamental teachings of Jesus. For this reason, many modern day concepts of Christianity bear little resemblance to the original Christianity of the New Testament.
Change is usually motivated by the thought that the moral and doctrinal teachings of Jesus must be modernized to keep up with the "progress" of society. But has man really changed? (Romans 1:21-32) Despite his tremendous technological advances, does not modern man still have the same basic spiritual needs of his ancestors? (Romans 3:23) Has Christ changed? (Hebrews 13:8)
The members of the church of Christ believe that Christ is still able to meet the needs of man completely, without adding to or taking away from His message in any way. Christ's life, His word, and His plan for the church are dynamically relevant to contemporary man. That is why the church of Christ seeks to restore New Testament Christianity to its original simplicity and purity.
In the next few pages you will find what it means to return to New Testament Christianity. Please read them and thoughtfully consider Christianity in its original beauty.

Authority: the Bible or Man?
One of the first steps in returning to New Testament Christianity is for us to decide who will be our authority in religion. Who or what can tell us how God wants man to live? There are really only two possible authorities to choose between: the Bible or man.
The problem with accepting man or the opinions of man as our authority in religion is that man's wisdom is fallible and his knowledge is finite. In his egotistical arrogance, man has tried to devise his own ways of coming to God. He has even tried to conform Christianity to fit his own ideas of what he thinks God requires of man. The prophet Jeremiah recognized that man's wisdom is unreliable and wrote, "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." Jeremiah 10:23
In the New Testament, Jesus made it plain that we cannot come to God on the basis of man's authority. He said, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:9 Man cannot be our authority in religion!
The Bible: the Word of God
The Bible is God's revelation to man. Therefore only the Bible can tell us how to come to God through Christ. Read carefully what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16,17
The word "inspiration" literally means "God-breathed" and implies that God used certain men to write exactly what He wanted them to write. Since the Scriptures are inspired by God when you read them, God is speaking to you through them.
Furthermore, Paul pointed out that we do not need God to speak to us in any other way. He said in the verse above that the Scriptures, when applied, would make "the man of God complete," complete in every need. Paul continued to say that the Scriptures would thoroughly equip us "for every good work." Thus, the Scriptures alone will bring us to God if we have a willing heart.
Returning to New Testament Christianity means realizing that God still speaks today through His word. For this reason the Bible is our only authority in religion. Our goal as the church of Christ is to "Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent."

Returning to the Christ of the New Testament
Throughout the history of Christianity, man has tried to mold Jesus into a myriad of incongruous images. People have found in Him a hero for a hundred political causes. They have seen in Him a founder for a thousand diverse denominations. At the other end of the spectrum, some have denied that He even existed; but to deny His existence is to deny the irrefutable testimony of history. Returning to New Testament Christianity means returning to the Christ of the New Testament.
Who is Jesus?
This is the question many people ask: "Who is Jesus?" He is not just a man. He is not just a good man. He is "the only begotten Son" of God. 1 John 4:9 To believe that Jesus is the Son of God is not a step of blind faith. Belief in Jesus is belief based on evidence. Jesus proved Himself to be the Son of God.
The evidence:

1. Fulfilled prophecy of the Old Testament - Hundreds of years before Christ came, prophets began to predict the details of His life and death. Then when Jesus came, He dramatically fulfilled them all.
2. His miracles - The miracles Jesus performed were indisputable evidence that He is the Son of God.
3. His teaching - The teachings of Jesus demonstrated such power and wisdom that only the Son of God could possess.
4. His Resurrection - The resurrection was an historical event that even the enemies of Christ could not deny. It was the ultimate demonstration that He is who He claimed to be.

The Real Question
Since Jesus has proven that He is the Son of God, the real question is not, is He the Son of God? Instead, the real question is, what will you do about the fact that He is the Son of God? How will you respond to Jesus? You can either accept Him or you can reject Him. Once, after a group of half-hearted disciples turned back from following Him, Jesus turned to His remaining disciples and asked, "Do you also want to go away?" Peter gave the answer for all of us when he said, "But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:68-69

If you reject Jesus --- to whom shall you go? No one else can lead you to God. To return to New Testament Christianity, we must return to Jesus. Jesus is the only way!

Learning About Jesus
Because of the variety of religions wearing the name "Christian," the meaning of the name "Christian" has become vague and sometimes empty. The Testament, however, is very precise in its use of this name when the Scripture says, "The disciples were called Christians." Acts 11:26 Christians are disciples of Christ. The word "disciple" primarily means "learner." Jesus, as the Son of God and the Savior of man, is the greatest teacher who ever walked the earth. His disciples are those who devote their lives to learning from Him. A Christian then is a learner who, with the open New Testament, listens in rapt attention to the powerful, incomparable teachings of Christ and considers with loving reverence the holy, spiritual life that He led. But being a disciple is something for more than just learning: it is following Jesus is everyday living.
Following Jesus
When Jesus invited people to be His disciples, He summoned them to action. His invitation was, "Follow me!" Jesus set the example in His life for His disciples to follow. Not only did He teach them, "Love your neighbor as yourself," He also showed them by His life the practical meaning of love. Peter wrote that Jesus left, "an example, that you should follow His steps." 1 Peter 2:21 In every situation in life, disciples can ask themselves, "What would Jesus do?" Having learned of Jesus, they know the answer. Then, because they follow Jesus, they do without reservation what He would do.
Dedicated Discipleship
Sometimes doing what Jesus would do is not easy. Loving those who may not love you, for instance, can mean sacrifice, yet it is one of the most fundamental teachings of Jesus. So there must be a third aspect to the New Testament concept of discipleship, besides learning and following, and that is dedication to the example of Christ. Christians sometimes ask themselves, "How far must I go in following Jesus?" Jesus anticipated this question when He said, "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:27 Jesus challenged His disciples to follow Him no matter what the cost. For Christians, discipleship must not be just a part of their lives, it must be their life.
Returning to New Testament Discipleship
Today, Christians need to return to the original meaning of discipleship. They need to dedicate themselves to learning and following Jesus. The members of the church of Christ are committed to the New Testament ideal of discipleship and invite you to join them in striving to follow the example of Jesus.

The Simplicity of the Church
In a world that is becoming increasingly complex, it is refreshing to discover something with simplistic beauty. Simplicity is the unique quality of the gospel of Jesus. The beauty of the gospel is that, though it is a very uncomplicated message, it adequately satisfies the needs of man. The church that Jesus built reflected His message, as a simple fellowship of believers, knit together in love. Today, unfortunately, man has corrupted this original simplicity with a multitude of his own ideas and practices. Returning to New Testament Christianity means returning to the simplicity of the New Testament church.
A Simple Worship
One of the uncomplicated beauties of the New Testament church was its worship. When the early disciples met for worship, together they sang songs of praise from their hearts, without the intrusion of musical instruments (Colossians 3:16). They also united their hearts together in humble, unadorned prayer to God (Acts 2:42). Those men, who were respected as faithful teachers, taught God's holy word (1 Timothy 2:11,12). Every first day of the week the early Christians observed the Lord's Supper, a simple memorial in remembrance of Jesus (Acts 20:7). The Christians also willingly and lovingly set aside a portion of their sustenance each Lord's day to help the needy saints and to spread the gospel (1 Corinthians 16:2). In contrast today, after man adds complex ceremonies, mysterious rites, prayers in languages that no one can understand, and endless pitches for money, the simply beauty of the New Testament worship is lost.
A Simple Purpose
Just as Jesus had only one purpose in His life on earth, "to seek and to save the lost" Luke 19:10, the church that He built had only one purpose: to spread the good news of Christ's saving mission. However, many modern day religious institutions are confused about their purpose. Some think their purpose is to entertain; so worship becomes an elaborate production staged for an audience. Others think their purpose is political; so thy spend their resources backing political causes. For some, attending church services is merely a social activity to see who has the prettiest building and the wealthiest membership. In the midst of all these changes, reading in the New Testament about the early church is like a breath of fresh air.
Is this Simplicity Possible Today?
Returning to the original simplicity of the church is possible by peeling away all the man-made additions that have complicated Christianity. The church of Christ believes and practices this simplicity by following only the New Testament as the pattern for the church today.

Becoming a Christian
Becoming a Christian can be confusing in today's world where there are so many different denominations that teach conflicting ideas about Christianity. In fact, people are sometimes discouraged from being Christians because of the great number of different churches. Many want to be Christians, but they do not know where to begin. The place to begin is not with what man says, but with what Jesus says in the New Testament.
What did Jesus Say?
Believe:
"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" John 11:25. Becoming a Christian is more, though, than just believing; for Jesus said to some that believed in him, "If you abide in My word, you are my disciple indeed" John 8:31. What else does His word say?
Repent:
"... but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" Luke 13:3. Repentance is changing your mind and deciding to live as Jesus lived. This change of mind leads to confessing His name.
Confess:
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven" Matthew 10:32. Confessing that Jesus is the Son of God is a statement of our faith in Him. But our faith in Christ must be followed by the next step of obedience.
Be Baptized:
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" Mark 16:16. After taking the step of baptism, you become a child of God, a new creature, saved by the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:3-6).
Follow Me!
While baptism is the beginning of the Christian life, it is not the end. Jesus wants His disciples to continue to walk as He walked. "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" John 8:12.
Just Christians
When you follow Jesus Christ and Him only, you become a Christian and only a Christian. In the New Testament, the disciples wore only the name of Christ because they were just Christians and nothing else. Today, though, many wear the names of denominations, identifying themselves with a man-made organization. You can decide to be just a Christian by laying aside all man-made names and practices and determining to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Which church?
To which church should I belong? Often people despair of ever finding the answer because of the impossible task of searching each church and studying each doctrine. This problem can be solved by first reading the description of the Lord's church in the New Testament; you will then know what to look for in the churches today. If a church does not fit the pattern of the church in the New Testament, then it is not the Lord's church. The church of Christ, has dedicated itself to restoring New Testament Christianity and following the pattern of the New Testament church.

What will you find at the church of Christ?

• Christ as the only authority
• The Bible as the only word
• Christians wearing the name of Christ and following Him as Lord
• Worship in spirit and truth
  
• A simple church with a simple message

Come worship with us or Request a Bible Study!