Welcome
The members of Twin Peaks church of Christ invite you to visit. You will find us a friendly congregation. We desire your visit to be a spiritual experience.
We believe when Christians meet together, God is among us (Matthew 18:20). Our worship focuses on praising God and edification (1 Corinthians 14:26). Therefore, you will experience a reverent atmosphere where all parts of the service are done in a decent and orderly fashion (1 Corinthians 14:40). Our worship service is held in a room called the auditorium. There are rows of chairs and you may sit wherever you feel comfortable.
The following is intended to provide an overview of our beliefs and what to expect in a typical worship service.
Who Are We?
We are a people of restoration spirit – wanting to restore the original New Testament church in our time. To do this, we study the Bible to find out what the original church was like and attempt to imitate it today. We call upon men to follow New Testament pattern just as the apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian and Thessalonica churches (1 Corinthians 11:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:15). We do not consider ourselves as being a denomination – nor as Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish – but simply as members of the church which Jesus Christ established. That is why we wear His name, a descriptive term indicating that the church belongs to Christ (Romans 16:16).
What Is Our Message?
Our message is the same as the first-century church:
Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins and raised again three days later (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
Salvation is only in His name (Acts 4:10-12)
The Bible is the inspired Word of (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
The Bible provides the body of our preaching and teaching
What is Our Worship Like?
Our worship is modeled after the first-century church. We believe the original pattern is important, Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Worshipping God in truth is to worship Him according to His Word, because His Word is truth (John 17:17). Therefore, we must include only items found in His Word, and we must exclude items not found in His Word.
Items of worship observed by the first-century church were:
Observation of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week
Singing
Praying
Preaching
Giving
The worship practices of the church of Christ are probably different from most religious groups in two (or more) of these items. So permit us to focus on these two and state our reasons for what we do.
Observance of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week
This memorial supper was inaugurated by Jesus on the night of His betrayal (Matthew 26:26-28). It is observed by Christians in memory of the Lord’s death (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). The emblems – unleavened bread and fruit of the vine – symbolize the body and blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:16).
We observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week following the pattern of the first-century church as set forth in the New Testament (Acts 20:7).
Every Sunday the Lord’s Supper will be included in worship to God. During this time, men from the congregation will pass plates. The first plate will contain unleavened bread. Each person participating will break off a piece of the bread and eat it. Next, trays filled with small cups of “fruit of the vine” (grape juice) will be passed. Each participant will drink the contents of one of the cups. If you choose not to participate, just pass the plate or tray to person next to you.
Acappella Singing
We sing a cappella. The ancient meaning of a cappella is “as in the chapel.” This means without instrumental music. The New Testament pattern leaves out mechanical instruments of music; therefore, we believe it right and safe practice to leave it out too. If we used instrumental music we would have to do so without New Testament authority.
There are only 8 verses in the New Testament on the subject of music in worship. Please check them for yourself:
1. Matthew 26:30
2. Acts 16:25
3. Romans 15:9
4. 1 Corinthians 14:15
5. Ephesians 5:18-19
6. Colossians 3:16
7. Hebrews 2:12
8. James 5:13
Historically, the first appearance of mechanical musical instruments in church worship was not until the sixth century A.D., and there was no general practice of using it until after the eighth century. There will be a man (a song leader) from the congregation that will direct the assembly in the singing of hymns a cappella.
Praying
Men of the congregation will offer prayers during the service (Philippians 4:6). We pray to God thanking Him and praising Him for blessings, especially the sacrifice of His Son for us. We also pray for specific needs of our members, community, state and country. All is graciously accomplished through the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Preaching
Usually the full time minister will provide a sermon. You may notice that he does not have a title and we do not address him as Pastor or Reverend (Matthew 23:8-12; Galatians 2:6-8; 1 Peter 2:5). He will not be wearing any special ecclesiastical clothing to set himself apart. The reason is we believe in the priesthood of all believers, and that all are spiritually equal. The sermon will last from 25 to 35 minutes. It will be refreshingly Bible-centered.
Giving
On Sunday morning, often after the Lord’s Supper, plates or baskets will be passed to take up a financial offering (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). As our guest, you are not expected nor required to make a donation. Please just pass the collection plate to the person next to you.
What are the Terms of Membership?
When speaking of membership, the churches of Christ do not have a set of procedures or ceremonies to follow to be inducted or included in the church (the people who worship God). The New Testament gives certain steps to become a Christian which were taken by people in the first-century. When a person became a Christian he automatically was a member of the church.
What is expected of Visitors?
You are welcome to participate in any or all of the service but do not feel obligated to do so. You will be asked to fill out a visitor’s card. If you do not feel comfortable in giving some or all the information, do not do it. It is not required. Please stay a few minutes after services so we can greet you. You are also welcome to attend one of our Bible classes. We have Bible classes for all age groups from cradle roll through adult.
Comments to Consider
We believe that following the Bible pattern is essential for Christians to follow. God vested all authority in Christ (Matthew 28:18) and since he serves as God’s spokesman forever (Hebrews 1:1-2), it is our conviction that only Jesus Christ has the authority to say what His church is and what we should teach (Ephesians 1:22-23).
Steps to Become a Christian
God has a plan for salvation. Obey the Gospel! Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 (NKJV) “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
What is the Gospel?
Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15 :1-4, 20-21 (NKJV) “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you–unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.”
The word “gospel” literally means good news or good tidings about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Obedience to the Gospel will save you Hebrews 5:8, 9 “though He [Christ] was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to ALL WHO OBEY HIM.”
Jesus said in John 12:48 “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”
How do I Obey the Gospel?
HEAR the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” This is an OBEDIENT faith that causes you to take action on what you have been taught through your hearing. Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” What did they hear? They heard, from Peter, the preaching of the gospel. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Please consider these scriptures also: John 6:45, Romans 10:14, James 1:22, and Revelation 1:3.
BELIEVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Hebrews 11:6 “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.” Faith is essential…faith that God is who He says He is…when seeking the truth, God will bless you. Acts 8:35-37 says “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ 37 Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” The eunuch has faith…he believed that Jesus is God’s Son. The eunuch’s faith was obedient faith! (See also James 2:24, Mark 16:16, John 5:24, John 6:29, John 8:24, Acts 16:31, Romans 16:26, and Galatians 5:6)
REPENT of your sins: Luke 13:3, 5 says “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Jesus emphatically tells us where there is no repentance, no change of heart, spiritual death is inevitable. Acts 17:30 records “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” EVERYBODY has an opportunity to turn from wickedness in the world and to turn to Jesus. (See also Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 26:20, Luke 15:7, Romans 2:4, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, and Revelation 2:5)
CONFESS Jesus Christ: Matthew 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Jesus acts on our behalf when we confess our belief in Him (see Acts 8:37). You are confessing based upon your belief in Jesus Christ being God’s Son. (See also Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 16:16, and 1 Timothy 6:12)
BE BAPTIZED for the forgiveness of sins: Paul wrote in Romans 6:3-4 “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Baptism is a water burial (immersion) and a putting away of the old man, so that we have an opportunity, through Jesus Christ, to a new life. We are baptized INTO Christ, into His body, which is His church. In Acts 8:36-38 the faithful action is baptism (WATER baptism), full immersion, and immediate. (See also Acts 10:48, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Mark 16:16, and 1 Peter 3:21)
REMAIN FAITHFUL even until death: Revelations 2:10 says “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” And James 1:12 says “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” In your walk of faith, Satan will try your resolve; however, we are promised that for those children of God who remain faithful to Him to the very end, God will reward us with eternal life and everlasting peace.