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Westside church of Christ
ABOUT US AT
What is the church of Christ?
How We Feel About the Bible
We believe that the bible is the inspired word of God. II Tim. 3:16 "All
scripture is inspired of God." The word "inspired" in the original language
means "God-breathed." Or, as Peter said, "Knowing this first, that no
prophecy of the scripture is of private interpretation. For prophecy came not
in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit (II Pet. 1:20-21)." This is the only way God has
ever let his will be known.
We believe that the bible is the sole source of authority in all things spiritual.
If we add or take away from God's word we sin. (Rev. 22:18, Deut. 4:2;
Prov. 30:6). In the religious world men are often adding to God's word.
Some create "new revelations." Others will simply do what the bible has not
authorized because it "sounds good" to them. Not once in the scriptures do
you read the church participating in secular activities, but man added to the
word of God to appease men! Then, sometimes, man subtracts things from
God's book. Some subtract things forbidden by God in order to "fill pews."
Paul wrote, "be not deceived neither fornicators ... nor adulterers, nor
homosexuals, nor sodomites ... will inherit the kingdom of God (I Cor.
6:9-11). Yet men like to remove these words from this passage because it
sounds more appealing. Others will subtract what God has commanded in
order to make people feel comforted in their sin.
We believe that the Christians are to live by Christ's Law. Paul wrote that
the Old Law, the Mosaic Law was abolished in Christ's death (Eph. 2:15).
The Hebrew letter was written to Jewish Christians wishing to live under the
Old Law. The Hebrew letter says this about the Old Law, "In that he says s
'new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete (Heb. 8:13)." Let it be
understood by the reader that the Old Law still serves a purpose and should
be studied. "For whatever things were written before were written for our
learning, that we through patience and comfort of scriptures might have
hope (Rom. 15:4)."
scripture is inspired of God." The word "inspired" in the original language
means "God-breathed." Or, as Peter said, "Knowing this first, that no
prophecy of the scripture is of private interpretation. For prophecy came not
in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit (II Pet. 1:20-21)." This is the only way God has
ever let his will be known.
We believe that the bible is the sole source of authority in all things spiritual.
If we add or take away from God's word we sin. (Rev. 22:18, Deut. 4:2;
Prov. 30:6). In the religious world men are often adding to God's word.
Some create "new revelations." Others will simply do what the bible has not
authorized because it "sounds good" to them. Not once in the scriptures do
you read the church participating in secular activities, but man added to the
word of God to appease men! Then, sometimes, man subtracts things from
God's book. Some subtract things forbidden by God in order to "fill pews."
Paul wrote, "be not deceived neither fornicators ... nor adulterers, nor
homosexuals, nor sodomites ... will inherit the kingdom of God (I Cor.
6:9-11). Yet men like to remove these words from this passage because it
sounds more appealing. Others will subtract what God has commanded in
order to make people feel comforted in their sin.
We believe that the Christians are to live by Christ's Law. Paul wrote that
the Old Law, the Mosaic Law was abolished in Christ's death (Eph. 2:15).
The Hebrew letter was written to Jewish Christians wishing to live under the
Old Law. The Hebrew letter says this about the Old Law, "In that he says s
'new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete (Heb. 8:13)." Let it be
understood by the reader that the Old Law still serves a purpose and should
be studied. "For whatever things were written before were written for our
learning, that we through patience and comfort of scriptures might have
hope (Rom. 15:4)."
Who We Are
We do not tie ourselves to any name but the name of Christ Jesus. Christ said,
"Upon this rock (that is the fact that he is the Son of God) I will build my church
(Matt. 16:18)." Since the church belongs to him, should it not then bear his name?
Should we as followers of him bear his name also?
The name that the assembly should meet under is a name that is godly. The
following names are mentioned in the bible:
churches of Christ - "The churches of Christ greet you." Rom. 16:16
church of God - "To the church of God in Corinth" II Cor. 1:2
church - "To the church of the Thessalonians" I Thes. 1:1
Paul wrote, "Christ is not divided is he? Paul was not crucified for you was he? Or,
were you baptized in the name of Paul (I Cor. 1:13)?" The obvious answer to each of
these questions is a resounding, NO! Yet, the Corinthians were living as if that were
the case. "For it has been declared unto me concerning you ... that there are
contentions among you. Now I say, that every one of you says, "I am of Paul; and I
of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ (I Cor. 1:11-12)." He was rebuking them
for creating denominations among themselves!
The following names are the only ones that a follower of Christ can bear:
Christian "And they were first called Christians in Antioch." Acts 11:26
Saint "Salute every saint in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:21
Disciple "The number of disciples was multiplied." Acts 6:1
Brethren "To ... the faithful brethren in Christ Jesus." Col. 1:2
If we bear a name other than these we are showing the same contentious attitude for
which the Corinthians were rebuked. This is why we are to be simply Christians.
"Upon this rock (that is the fact that he is the Son of God) I will build my church
(Matt. 16:18)." Since the church belongs to him, should it not then bear his name?
Should we as followers of him bear his name also?
The name that the assembly should meet under is a name that is godly. The
following names are mentioned in the bible:
churches of Christ - "The churches of Christ greet you." Rom. 16:16
church of God - "To the church of God in Corinth" II Cor. 1:2
church - "To the church of the Thessalonians" I Thes. 1:1
Paul wrote, "Christ is not divided is he? Paul was not crucified for you was he? Or,
were you baptized in the name of Paul (I Cor. 1:13)?" The obvious answer to each of
these questions is a resounding, NO! Yet, the Corinthians were living as if that were
the case. "For it has been declared unto me concerning you ... that there are
contentions among you. Now I say, that every one of you says, "I am of Paul; and I
of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ (I Cor. 1:11-12)." He was rebuking them
for creating denominations among themselves!
The following names are the only ones that a follower of Christ can bear:
Christian "And they were first called Christians in Antioch." Acts 11:26
Saint "Salute every saint in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:21
Disciple "The number of disciples was multiplied." Acts 6:1
Brethren "To ... the faithful brethren in Christ Jesus." Col. 1:2
If we bear a name other than these we are showing the same contentious attitude for
which the Corinthians were rebuked. This is why we are to be simply Christians.
What to Expect When Visiting With Us
Singing: There are nine passages in the New Testament that depict the manner of music that is
holy and acceptable before our Lord and God. They are as follows:
Matt. 26:30 "After they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of
Olives."
Mark 14:26 "After they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of
Olives."
Acts 16:25 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises
unto God."
Rom. 15:9 "I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy
name."
I Cor. 14:15 "I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding
also."
Eph. 5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
Col. 3:16 "Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord."
Heb. 2:12 "I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of
the church will I sing praise unto thee."
James 5:13 "Is any merry? Let him sing psalms."
Scriptural worship is done with our lips and hearts not with our hands and instruments.
Prayer: Paul wrote that we are to "pray without ceasing (I Thes. 5:17)" and "In everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God (Phil. 4:6)." Each
service we will spend time with the Lord in prayer. One man leads the prayer while the rest of the
congregation lets their minds focus upon the prayer being offered on their behalf.
The Lord's Supper: Each Lord's Day (that is the first day of the week) we partake of the Lord's
Supper. The Supper consists of two emblems; the bread and the fruit of the vine. The bread is
always to be unleavened (no rising agents). When the Lord's Supper was first observed with Christ
it was during the Passover. During the Passover week the Israelites were required to remove all
leaven from their homes. Thus, we use unleavened bread. The fruit of the vine is commonly called
grape juice today. In Acts 20:7 we find our authority to partake of the Lord's Supper on the first
day of the week. Paul's participation in this action gives us the authority to do the same. AS Paul
said in I Cor. 11:23-32 we do this in remembrance of Christ and proclaim his death until He comes.
The Collection: Paul also commanded the saints to lay by in store that which we have prospered
on the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-2). This is a commandment given to the saints. If you are
visiting, do not feel obligated to contribute. The collection is only taken on the first day of the week
per 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. If you are visiting during a week day service, there will be no collection
taken.
Preaching/Teaching: You can expect to hear the whole counsel of God taught each time you
are with us. You will not receive lessons on man's opinions. You will not hear lessons on earthly
things. When you worship with us you will hear lessons on spiritually minded things.
Loving Attitude: A great deal of space on this page has been spent talking about authority.
Making certain that one understands who we are and what it is we do. However, it is all for naught
if we have not love. Christ told his disciples that the world would know them by one trait. It was
not by the sign outside. It was not by the name they professed. It was by their love one for
another (John 13:35). Paul told the Corinthians "if I have not love I am nothing (I Cor. 13:2)."
holy and acceptable before our Lord and God. They are as follows:
Matt. 26:30 "After they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of
Olives."
Mark 14:26 "After they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of
Olives."
Acts 16:25 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises
unto God."
Rom. 15:9 "I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy
name."
I Cor. 14:15 "I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding
also."
Eph. 5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
Col. 3:16 "Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord."
Heb. 2:12 "I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of
the church will I sing praise unto thee."
James 5:13 "Is any merry? Let him sing psalms."
Scriptural worship is done with our lips and hearts not with our hands and instruments.
Prayer: Paul wrote that we are to "pray without ceasing (I Thes. 5:17)" and "In everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God (Phil. 4:6)." Each
service we will spend time with the Lord in prayer. One man leads the prayer while the rest of the
congregation lets their minds focus upon the prayer being offered on their behalf.
The Lord's Supper: Each Lord's Day (that is the first day of the week) we partake of the Lord's
Supper. The Supper consists of two emblems; the bread and the fruit of the vine. The bread is
always to be unleavened (no rising agents). When the Lord's Supper was first observed with Christ
it was during the Passover. During the Passover week the Israelites were required to remove all
leaven from their homes. Thus, we use unleavened bread. The fruit of the vine is commonly called
grape juice today. In Acts 20:7 we find our authority to partake of the Lord's Supper on the first
day of the week. Paul's participation in this action gives us the authority to do the same. AS Paul
said in I Cor. 11:23-32 we do this in remembrance of Christ and proclaim his death until He comes.
The Collection: Paul also commanded the saints to lay by in store that which we have prospered
on the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-2). This is a commandment given to the saints. If you are
visiting, do not feel obligated to contribute. The collection is only taken on the first day of the week
per 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. If you are visiting during a week day service, there will be no collection
taken.
Preaching/Teaching: You can expect to hear the whole counsel of God taught each time you
are with us. You will not receive lessons on man's opinions. You will not hear lessons on earthly
things. When you worship with us you will hear lessons on spiritually minded things.
Loving Attitude: A great deal of space on this page has been spent talking about authority.
Making certain that one understands who we are and what it is we do. However, it is all for naught
if we have not love. Christ told his disciples that the world would know them by one trait. It was
not by the sign outside. It was not by the name they professed. It was by their love one for
another (John 13:35). Paul told the Corinthians "if I have not love I am nothing (I Cor. 13:2)."
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