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Our goal is to focus on the "whole counsel of God" but here is a brief summary of some teachings you can expect at Farragut Church of Christ.
Love ~ We are a family of believers who accept each other because God has reached out in love to each of us, and we seek to follow Christ’s example in love for one another.
"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:11
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.... Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Romans 15:1, 7
Bible ~ The Bible is inspired and is the final authority in life and doctrine. The Bible reveals one true God existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each possessing the attributes of deity.
"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Grace ~ Salvation is a free gift of God. The only sufficient payment for our sins is the death of Christ as our substitute. No one is saved by their own merits or good deeds.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
Response ~ It is necessary to accept God’s free offer of salvation by faith, repentance, and baptism. As we confess Christ as our Lord and are baptized God meets us, forgives our sins, and gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit that empowers each of us.
"Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:38
Worship ~ God has delivered us from sin and called us to be a people of worship. Each Sunday we gather as a church to express our heart felt worship to God and we seek to live our lives as a continual expression of worship to Him. We recognize that, in a changing culture styles of worship may change, but the central purpose and meaning of that worship must never change.
" Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship."
Romans 12:1
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
1 Peter 2:9
Unity ~ While avoiding entanglement in creeds and traditions, we make a diligent effort to follow Christ. Jesus and his original followers (the New Testament church) provide inspiring examples of lifestyle, worship, doctrine and organization to be followed in our century.
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 4:3-6
Organization ~ We are a non-denominational, autonomous church family with no ties to any earthly headquarters. Jesus is the head of the church which is His body. Elders (a term used interchangeable in scripture with "pastor" and "bishop") serve as leaders by shepherding the flock (feeding and protecting), giving spiritual counsel, and overseeing decisions affecting the church family. We are Christians only but we do not claim to be the only Christians.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."
Colossians 1:15-18
"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder....Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
1 Peter 5:1-3
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."
Acts 20:28
Ministry ~ God gives us abilities or gifts that we are to use in service to one another and the world. We do not work and serve to be saved, rather to express our gratitude for God’s gift of eternal life.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms."
1 Peter 4:10
Lifestyle ~ Our lifestyle must be affected by our commitment to Christ; He died for me, and I will live for him. The Holy Spirit works in Christians to produce fruit to remake the believer into Christ’s image.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Romans 6:1-4
Jesus’ Return ~ One day Jesus will come back to get his people. Christians alive and dead will meet Jesus in the clouds and he will take us to heaven. We will appear before Jesus’ throne for judgment. The earth will be destroyed. God’s people will receive their inheritance while those who reject God will depart from Him. We must be ready!
"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
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