|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
FEAR and FAITH
Fear imprisons.
Faith liberates,
Fear paralyzes,
Faith empowers,
Fear sickens.
Faith heals,
Fear makes useless,
Faith makes serviceable
Most of all Fear puts
hopelessness in the hearts of all,
While Faith rejoices in its God.
The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do |
|
|
|
GROESBECK CHURCH OF CHRIST
LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED
Whenever I am troubled and lost in deep despair, I bundle all my troubles up and go to God in Prayer... I tell him I am heart sick and lost and lonely, too. That my mind is deeply burdened and I don't know what to do...
But I know he stilled the tempest and calmed the angry sea, and I humbly ask if in His love, He'll do the same for me...
And then I just keep quiet and think only thoughts of Peace, And if I abide in stillness my "restless murmurings"cease.
Jesus said, "He who believes in me shall never die." John 11:26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have questions and would like answers, E-mail Answers will be posted below.
Q. How can the church building be used?
A. There is nothing inherently holy or sacred about a building owned by a congeration Ultimately all things
belong to God (Psalms50:10-12). Though God's dewlling place on earth was formerly the tabernacle2 Sam. 7:6
and after that the temple 1 Chr. 17:1-10. God no longer dwells in houses made with hands Acts 17:24. God's
house today is a spiritual house Eph. 2:19-22. This spiritual house is known as the church, and is made up of
Christians 1Peter 2:5. The concept of a church-owned building or property is unknown in the New Testment.
However, such ownership is allowed by expediency in the Devine comand for the church to assemble
regularly 1 Cor 11:18-20; 16:1-2; Hebrews 10:25.
The church building is simply that - a building. Wood and nails. Brick and Mortar. A building is not dedicated
to God. God's people are to be dedicated to God. This why Peter calls Christians a "Holy Priesthood." Paul
said we ar to present our bodies (not our buildings) a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Romans 12:1
Q. Will there be a hell, or an eternal punishment?
A. Jesus said in Matthew 25:45-46, Truly I say unto you to the extent that you did not do it to one of the
least of these, you did no do it unto me. And these will go away unto eternal punishment, but the
righteous unto eternal life.
Q. Can a person fall from Grace?
A. Paul said in Galations 5:4, You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by
the law; you have fallen from grace. Hebrews 12:15 says, Looking diligently lest any man fail the grace
of God. 2 Peter 1:5-10 Christians must give di9ligence to make thier calling sure or else they will fall.
In Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira were christians who obviously fell from grace and died in their sins.
Q. Is repentance absolutely necessary?
A. Jesus said in Luke 13:3-5, I tell you no, but, unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Paul said in Acts 17:30, Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring
to men that all men everywhere should repent.
Q. What kind of music is to be used in the worship?
A. Ephesians 5:19 says, that we are to encourage one another with psalms, hymns and spirtual songs
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. James says in 5:13 If any among you is afflicted
Let him pray. If any are merry? Let him sing psalms.
Q. Do ministers of the church hear confessions?
A. No. Ministers or evangelists of the church have no special prerogatives. They do not wear the title of Reverand or
Father, but are simply addresed by the term Brother as are all other men of the church. Along with elders and
others they do counsel and advise those seeking help.
Q. Are prayers addressed to the saints?
A. No. God the Father is considered the only one to whom the prayers may be addressed. It is further understood
that Christ stands in a mediatorial position between God and man (Hebrews 7:25). All prayers are therefore
offered through Christ, or in the name of Christ (John 16:23-26).
Q. How often is the Lord's supper eaten?
A. It is expected that every member of the church will assemble for worship on each Lord's day. A central part of the
Worship is the eating of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7). Unless providenteally hindered, each member considers this
weekly appointment as binding. In many instances, as in illness, the Lord's supper is carried to those who are
hindered from attending the worship.
Q. What is the belief of the Church of Christ concerning divorce?
A. Because of the statements made by Christ in Matthew 19: 3-9, and elsewhere, It is believed that Marriage is binding
until death. The only exception is in the case of adultery on the part of one of the parties to the marriage. In such
cases it is believed that the innocent partner is no longer bound by the marriage ties. Divorces, for the myriad
causes known to modern society, are not recognized as being scriptual reasons. Q. What is the distinctive plea of the Church of Christ?
A. It is primarly a plea for religious unity based upon the Bible. In a divided religious world, it is
believed that the Bible is the only possible common denominator upon which most, if not all, of the
God fearing peopleof the land can unite. This is an appeal to go back to the Bible; it is a plea to
speak where the Bible speaks and to remain silent where the Bible is silent in all matters that
pertain to religion. It further emphasizes that in everthing religious there must be a "Thus saith
the Lord" for anything that is done. The objective is religious unity of all belivers in Christ. The basis
is the New Testament. The method is the restoration of New Testament Christianity.
|
|
|
|
|
