What Do We Know About The Simplicity
of New Testament Christianity?

            Complex! No, complex is not a word that relates to New Testament Christianity. Man is impressed with pomp, ceremony and show. God is unimpressed with "the show of religion" which seems so important to man.  God is impressed with simple, humble love and obedience. "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." (John 15:14) The Word of God gives beauty and simplicity to the lives of all who seek Him. Simplicity brings joy and balance. We need to see the things…

JUST SOME THINGS THE LORD HATES?

          Today we turn in our Bible to a passage of Scripture that lists seven things that God hates. All seven of these things are hated by God because any one of the seven can mar the godliness and beauty of a life. "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows…

A NEW YOU BEFORE A NEW YEAR BEGINS

          Our challenge in this life is to make a positive difference for the Lord. The Bible clearly teaches us that serving God is vitally important. Our main purpose is not working, hunting, texting or hanging out with friends. Instead our purpose is that of serving God faithfully. Sin is in our world because of a lack of respect for God. What is wrong with a world where Adam Lanza would kill his own mother, then go to Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut and kill 6 adults and 20 children?…

A Donkey Demonstrates Obedience

          Balaam stands in disgrace as the model of apostasy. His desire for lust, power and wealth lured him to act in opposition to the will of the Almighty God. God admonished Balaam through an obedient, talking donkey. Peter wrote of the story of Balaam in 2 Peter 2:15-16. He wrote, "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet."…

ARE ALL WHO ARE BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS?

      In every example of New Testament conversion people were baptized for remission of sins.  "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." (Acts 2:38) One cannot be a Christian without being baptized but not all who have been baptized are Christians. Why would this be true?

     Many that have been baptized have not been baptized as accountable people. Baptism is an act of submission that must come from…

The Church Jesus Built

          The church of Christ is not a physical building nor is it a denomination. It is the blood-bought body of Christ.…

Does 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Forbid Eating Meals in the

Church Building?

What is the context of the entire book of First Corinthians?  Throughout this epistle Paul dealt with issues that were dividing the Corinthian congregation.

            He addressed divisions caused by respect of persons: “"I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."” (1:10-17).  Divisions caused by spiritual immaturity were addressed: “for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (3:1-23).…

          It is possible for people living today to be members of the church that you read about in your New Testament. The Austinville Church of Christ is not just another denomination among denominations but is Christ's church in Decatur, Alabama. We accept as our mission the responsibility to glorify God in His one church. One way that we give honor to our Creator is to carry out the great commission. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all…

It is possible for people living today to be members of the church that you read about in your New Testament. The Austinville Street Church of Christ is not just another denomination among denominations but is Christ's church in Decatur, Alabama. We accept as our mission the responsibility to glorify God. One way that we give honor to our Creator is to carry out the great commission. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I…

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

      Jesus Christ established His church long before anyone ever heard of Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian or Jehovah's Witnesses. Today there are hundreds (thousands) of kinds of churches in existence. Men on men’s teaching founded these churches. Our Lord Himself established the New Testament church almost two thousand years ago.

      Jesus promised the New Testament church: "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)  Acts 2 gives the…