WESTCHESTER
CHURCH OF CHRIST
OUR BELIEFS
It is primarily a plea for religious unity based upon the Bible. In a divided religious world it is believed that the Bible is the only possible common denominator upon which most, if not all, of the God-fearing people of the land can unite. This is an appeal to go back to the Bible. It is a plea to speak where the Bible speaks and to remain silent where the Bible is silent in all matters that pertain to religion. It further emphasizes that in everything that in everything religious, there must be a “Thus saith the Lord” for all that is done. The objective is religious unity of all believers in Christ. The basis is the New Testament. The method is the restoration of New Testament Christianity.
DOCTriNE
THE BIBLE
The original autographs of the sixty six books which make up the Bible are considered to have been divinely inspired, by which it is meant that they are infallible and authoritative. Reference to the scriptures is made in settling every religious question. A pronouncement from the scripture is considered the final word. The basic textbook of the church and the basis for all preaching is the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; Romans 15:4; John 1:1
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God and is the third Person of the Trinity. He dwells in the believer, glorifies Christ and equips us for service.
John 14:26; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:13,14
GOD
We believe God is the only fitting object of our worship. There is one God, who exists in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is perfectly and infinitely loving, just and holy.
2 Corinthians 13:14; Isaiah 37:16; Jeremiah 23:23,24; 1 John 4:7,8
MAN
We believe that man is created in God’s image, through sin has become unable to please God, and is condemned to suffer eternal punishment apart from accepting God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:26,27; Romans 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:12
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son, is the second Person of the Trinity, and is fully God and fully man. Having always existed, he took on human flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a perfect, sinless life on earth. His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins and is the only basis for the salvation of those who trust in him. He rose bodily from the grave and now is reigning in power with the Father. He offers us eternal life, forgiveness of sins and peace through faith in him. He is the only way to God. We await his visible and glorious return to the earth to claim his own and to judge.
John 1:1,2,14; John 14:6; Luke 1:35; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:24,25; 4:25; 1 Peter 1:3-5
WORSHIP
THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Lord’s supper or communion consists of two things: (1) unleavened bread (without yeast) and (2) the fruit of the vine (grape juice). The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is to bring to our remembrance the sacrifice of the body and blood of Jesus on the cross for our sins. We must be very careful when we partake of the communion that we discern the blood and body of Jesus so that we partake in a worthy manner. Christians are to eat the the Lord’s Supper every first day of every week.
1 Corinthians 10:16; Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30; Acts 20:7
PRAYER
Prayers offered to God are to be a part of our public worship as well as our private daily devotions. There are many examples and precepts concerning prayer in the New Testament. In our prayers to God we give thanks and praise His name. In our prayers we can pray for our needs and for the needs of others. Jesus gave us a “model” prayer in. He did not intend for us simply to repeat this prayer by rote, but gave it as an example by which we could pattern our own prayers. Jesus Christ is our mediator and high priest. Therefore, our prayers must be addressed to God in the name of Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:1-2,8; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:5-15; John 16:23; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1-2
PREACHING & TEACHING
God has commanded us to teach His Word. Both saved and sinners need to be taught. Therefore, a lesson from the Bible is one of the acts of worship in which Christians are to engage. We must learn God’s Word so that we can grow stronger in Christ, teach others, and overcome false teachings. This is a very important part of our worship and must never be overlooked.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:2; 4:1-5
COLLECTION
Giving of our means is a part of our worship to God. This is the way Christ’s church gets the necessary funds to do its work. God has given us the perfect plan for giving. We are told who is to give, Let each one of you. We are told when we are to give, On the first day of the week. We are also told how much to give, As He may prosper. We show our love for God when we give cheerfully and willingly to Him.
1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7
SINGING
Christians are commanded to praise God in song. The kind of music God commanded for His church is vocal music only, that is, singing. There is no command or example anywhere in the New Testament for the use of mechanical instrumental music in Christian worship. To add instruments of music to our singing is a sin for it is adding to what God has told us that He wants. No man has the right to do this. We are to make melody in our hearts, the instruments made by God, not instruments made by man! Neither has God commanded us to have special singers in our worship such as choirs. Every Christian must praise God in song just as every one must partake of the Lord’s Supper for himself. The purpose of our worship to God is not to entertain ourselves. Therefore, what we do in worship is not based on that which appeals to our physical senses, but must be based upon what pleases God!
Colossians 3:16; Revelation 22:18-19; 2 John 9-11; Ephesians 5:19
SUNDAY
The Law of Christ, which began at Pentecost, is God’s law for all mankind today. The Law of Christ teaches that we are to meet on Sunday, the first day of the week. This is the day upon which our Lord arose from the dead. The day upon which the church began, Pentecost day, also was on the first day of the week. Therefore, we can see why the Lord chose the first day of the week as the day of worship for Christians.
Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2-6; Luke 24:1; John 20:1; Leviticus 23:9-16