Charlottesville church of Christ - Questions - Please submit your Bible questions here and find answer to other's questions.

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Your Questions Please!

Questions will always be a part of a heart that is seeking God. A Biblical faith will recognize the awesome vastness of the knowledge of God and one’s constant need to learn. There is no place for the “know it all” when standing in the presence of an omniscient God.

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. (1 Cor 8:1-3 NKJV)

The scriptures are filled with examples of men who asked questions that resulted in their salvation as well as a greater knowledge of God Himself. A Eunuch from Ethiopia found a very important answer to a question he had:

“So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.” (Acts 8:30-31 NKJV)

I am thankful that you have come to “sit with” us at this page. My question for you in your Bible study is this: “Do you understand what you are reading?” Please fill out the following form with your Bible question.

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Are you truly not a denomination or are you affiliated with Church of Christ or Disciples of Christ? We are looking for Biblical preaching and traditional worship. There are a lot of us in Charlottesville.

Thanks for you e-mail and associated questions. I truly wish to be nothing but the church of Jesus Christ by following wherever His word leads. I want to follow the desire of my Lord when He prayed in the very shadow of the cross:

John 17:20-21 (NKJV) – “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

This quest for undenominational Christianity is not commonly sought by men today and amongst many who once sought it this quest has eluded them. You have rightly observed that the stand I am taking has similarities to the Restoration Movement and the associated Disciples of Christ/ Churches of Christ movements. As with every movement involving men, as time passes so does the men in them (death and a new generation) and along with this the doctrinal beliefs change as well. I do not and will not be identified with these past efforts of men even though similarities exist. Local churches are like men, if you wish to find out what they believe both observe them and also ask them about their beliefs and practices.

There are other independent churches that take a stand similar to mine. Most of them have used the biblical designation “church of Christ’ however each of these are independent churches. They would in no way be considered as “mainstream.”

The heart of seeking this undenominational stand involves our hearts. We must be open to study and always give our loyalty to whatever His word teaches. Along with this attitude we must be willing to have our beliefs challenged and tested by others who would appeal to His word. When loyalty to the Lord is replaced with a loyalty to a human movement then those who have questions or objections from God’s word are ignored and
isolated and in some cases cast out.

Jesus pointed out the different attitudes this way:

John 3:19-21 – And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

On the question of “traditional worship,” I believe that the Bible teaches that worship must be God centered and not man centered. What I mean by that is that our focus must be on God and not the carnal appeal to the flesh in the form of entertainment and performance.

Jesus said:

John 4:23-24 – “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

I am attaching an extensive outline that I have presented on this subject Please let me know of any questions or observations you may have.

Thank you for your questions. I would appreciate hearing from you again.

We are interested in God-centered worship. We have no objection to an accompanist. Do you? Based on what?

What is your view of baptism?

I am going to give you some brief answers to some very relevant questions. As I said before the beliefs I hold do have similarities to the current disciples of Christ/churches of Christ movements. As I have indicated in the web page, I really wish to have open study of any and all things that might divide us. I am willing to learn and change if necessary.

You are correct in understanding that no mechanical instruments are used where I have attended. The main reason for that is my desire to carefully follow Jesus as my Lord.

A study of His Lordship means that we are to be completely under His authority. As head of the church He has given authority to his disciples on earth as to how to conduct every area of life including our worship. My study of the New Testament has only found authority for vocal music as we worship God here on earth. I know there will be many questions from this answer and I welcome them.

To sum up the foundation of my understanding is to quote Colossians 3:17:

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

I believe that I need to do things in His name that is by His authority. As a result I would want to have authority for all that I do or in simple terms to have “book, chapter, verse” for all that I do.

My view of baptism will take a similar approach as I did above. I try to take all the scriptures say on a subject and then stand in whatever they teach. I have found that baptism is a step that a penitent believer takes to receive the free gift of salvation.

Because of this I also have found that the subject of baptism must be of an age to hear and believe and be convicted of sin. This would eliminate infants. I also have found that baptism is an immersion in water.

Here are a few verses that I would point you to:

Matthew 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in therefore and make disciples of all theheaven and on earth. Go nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Mark 16:15-16 – And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 2:38 – “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.

I played a part in developing this web site that will give additional information on my views of baptism: www.thepassionofchristexplained.com.

Thank you so much for sharing these questions and your time with me. I wished that more would seek to return to follow God’s inspired, infallible word.