|
We are a church that seeks to honor and glorify God by obedience to His Word. We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired and infallible Word of God and only by following the New Testament pattern can we faithfully serve and worship Him. We want to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. Jesus shed His blood and died for the church and therefore we give Him the glory by going by no other name than Christian. We are members of the body of Christ, the church of Christ.
What To Expect When You Worship With Us.
Whether it is your first visit or you have been here many times you will find a friendly welcome at the Hollister church of Christ! When you worship with us we want you to feel like family and leave encouraged and uplifted. Each Sunday our worship to God includes singing, praying, hearing a message from God’s Word, giving as we have been prospered and partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Our main purpose is to praise and honor God not entertain man. Everything we do is governed by the Word of God. (Colossians 3:17)
For example, you will find that when we sing we do not use choirs, soloists or musical instruments. God tells us in Ephesians 5:19 that we are to “speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” And in Colossians 3:16 we are told to “Let the word of Christ 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.” Notice, in both of these verses, we are commanded to sing to one another, no where in the New Testament has God authorized the use of instruments. We are to “speak” or “sing” to “one another” which means “everyone” is commanded to sing. As each individual is singing to praise and glorify God we are at the same time teaching and encouraging one another through the words we sing.
One of the greatest honors we have as Christians is to partake of the Lord’s Supper. In Matthew 26:26-29 we read, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." As we partake of the unleavened bread we are to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us by giving His life for us. Then, as we drink of the fruit of the vine, we remember His blood that was shed so that we might have remission of sins. Jesus, though sinless, died on the cross so that you and I might be free from the bondage of sin. We remember this great sacrifice on the first day of the week just like the example of the early Christians in Acts 20:7, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, (Lord’s Supper) Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” The communion is open to all baptized believers.
Another part of our worship is the opportunity of giving to God as He has prospered us. We follow the command given to the first century church in I Corinthians 16:1-2, “Now, concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: on the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” These financial gifts are used to support the many good works here at Hollister. As a visitor you are under no obligation to give.
We will also hear a message from God’s Word. This allows us to hear God speak to us through His Word. His Word is our guide and by which we will be judged on judgment day. (John 12:48) Only by hearing and obeying His commands can we be saved.
There will be many prayers given as we speak to God about our concerns, needs, desires and thanking Him for all of the blessings that He has given, and will give, to us.
If you are interested in simply serving God according to His will, we believe the Hollister church of Christ is the place for you. Our goal is to go to heaven and help others get there, too.
How Do You Become a Member of the Lord's church, the church of Christ?
In the salvation of man’s soul there are two necessary parts: God’s part and man’s part. God’s part is the big part, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Because of the great love that God has for man He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of the gospel to men constitute God’s part in salvation. Though God’s part is the big part, man’s part is also necessary if man is to be saved. Man must comply with the conditions of pardon which the Lord has commanded through His Word. Man’s part can clearly be seen through the following steps.
HEAR THE GOSPEL. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:14,17) “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” (John 6:44-45)
BELIEVE. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
REPENT. “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)
“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.” (Acts 2:38)
CONFESS. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
BE BAPTIZED. “And He (Jesus) 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.” (Mark 16:15-16)
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)
LIVE FAITHFULLY. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
God has done His part to bring about your salvation. Will you do your part and become a Christian, today? If you have any questions or want to obey the Gospel contact us.
|
