Sterling Avenue church of Christ

If you were to conduct a survey asking several people for their definition of "the church" or "salvation," you'd likely get a variety of answers. That's understandable, considering there's so many denominations under the umbrella of Christianity today. While that's the state of our religious culture, the real questions we should ask are, "What were God's intentions for the church and how do we become part of it?"

Good news! The answers are available and from God Himself. Read the information below and hover your cursor over the Bible passages listed. 

The Church Christ Established

• Has no creed book but the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Binds no name on its members but Christ's (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16)
• Has the New Testament as its only guide (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 7:22; 8:6-13; 12:24)
• Gladly identifies with Christ (Matthew 18:20; Romans 16:16)
• Has only a divine builder (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 3:3; Acts 2:22-47)
• Stands for purity of doctrine and practice (Colossians 1:5; 3:17)
• Worships in authorized acts (John 4:24; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:25-34; Ephesians 5:19)
• Is supported by free-will offerings of members (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
• Uses the gospel as the drawing power (John 6:44-45; 12:32; Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-23)
• Follows apostolic practice of making members (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 9, Acts 10, Acts 16, Acts 18, & Acts 19)
• Has organization consisting of elders, deacons, and members (Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-8; Titus 1:5-9)
• Has members taught to live godly lives (Titus 2:11-12; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17, 24)
• Is not a denomination, but the body of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4)
• Has headquarters only in heaven (Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20)
• Aspires to a future heavenly glory (Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:2)

We invite you to become a Christian and faithfully serve Christ as a member of His church!

Worship

Our worship is simple and devout, and our purpose is to be governed in everything by the Bible alone. For this reason our worship consists only of those acts which the New Testament reveals were performed in the worship of the early church. We sing (Colossians 3:16), we pray (1 Timothy 2:8), we give of our means (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), we observe the Lord's supper (Acts 20:7), and we have the word of God preached for our instruction (2 Timothy 4:2). All of this we seek to do with the attitude which Christ enjoined (John 4:24), and we do so every Sunday.

The New Testament commands Christians to sing in their worship (Ephesians 5:19). For this reason, we encourage all to sing. No matter how beautiful instrumental music may be, we don't find any scriptural authority to do so - no commands, examples, or inferences can be made in the Biblical records of the church Christ established. This is just one example of our desire to only do Biblical things in Biblical ways.

Spirituality & Teaching

We simply ask visitors to honestly and seriously consider the things taught during our services. Visitors are encouraged to bring a Bible (or borrow one here) and check for themselves the Scriptures which are presented, just as those of the first century did (Acts 17:11). We are of clear conviction that the Bible is the only source of eternal truth. Therefore, whether it be in a class or sermon, the Bible is the book to which we will repeatedly refer.

To put it simply: our focus is spiritual, not social. For us THE most important work in the world is to be about our Master's business of proclaiming the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ! We sincerely invite you to join us at your next opportunity. When you visit us you will be our respected guest. At the close of every sermon, those who wish to become Christians will be invited to come to the front to let their wishes be known. There won't be any tricky propositions or singling out people by asking them to stand or raise their hands. Neither will anyone go about in the audience urging people to respond. Along with our God, we believe YOU need to decide this gospel is worth your response and obedience. It will be a pleasure for us to have you and we believe you will be benefited by coming. We hope our Biblical approach to the things of God interests you! Join us soon, won't you?

How Can I Become Saved?

• Hear the Word proclaimed - not passively, but actively, listening with deep consideration (Romans 10:17)
• Believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (John 8:24; 8:21; Hebrews 11:6)
• Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 17:30)
• Confess faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10)
• Be baptized for the remission of your sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)
• Live a new life in obedience to Christ (Romans 6:4)

Our Focus on the Authority of God's Word

We want to call Bible things by Bible names & do Bible things in Bible ways (Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 8:5). We always want Bible book, chapter, & verse to provide God's authority in all we do. We won't do anything in our assembly that God didn't give an example, a command, or a way to imply something being done.