FIVE FINGER
EXERCISE
1.
WE ARE UN-DENOMINATIONAL
- We are not a group of local congregations governed by a religious
hierarchy. We believe that Christ is the Head of His church and each
local congregation governs itself under Christ and His Word, the
Bible. This has great appeal. There is much unrest in the
denominational world because of decisions that are being made by
"those in charge" which run contrary to the beliefs of their
members, especially on social issues like abortion and homosexuality.
Jesus said in John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth and the
truth will set you free." Being un-denominational preserves our
freedom in Jesus Christ. It allows us to chart our own course, using
the Divine road map, the Bible. Yes, we are un-denominational.
2.
THE BIBLE IS OUR TEXT BOOK
- Alexander Campbell said, "The Bible alone is the Bible only, in
word and deed, in profession and practice; and this alone can reform
the world and save the church." We are a Bible church. P.H.
Welshimer who wrote in his timeless tract, "Facts Concerning the
New Testament Church" that "On non essentials we admit the
largest liberty; on the essentials we appeal to the New Testament.
Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are
silent."
Our
world really wants to know what God is saying. Can we build the Lord's
church on the meat of His Word? Yes! The cry is still, "Preach
the Word; be prepared in season and out of season." People are
looking for a church where the Bible is taught and preached, exciting,
and relevant. It is the Word of God that changes lives! "For you
have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,
through the living and enduring word of God" 1 Peter 1:23. Yes,
the Bible is our textbook.
3.
WE ARE CHRISTIANS ONLY
- We wear the name "Christian" which identifies us as
"belonging to Christ." We are not ABC or XYZ Christians, but
Christians only. We preface the name with no other. We are neither
Catholic nor Protestant. Acts 11:26 teaches, "The disciples were
first called Christians at Antioch." It is like a breath of
fresh air to know that it is possible to be just a Christian. Yes, we
are Christians only.
4.
WE BAPTIZE BY IMMERSION FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF
SIN AND THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
-We know, of course, that we need much teaching on the subject of
baptism. The denominational world has wrecked the minds of its members
on the subject of baptism. Move through the Bible from Matthew
28:18-20, to Mark 16:15,16, to Acts 2:38. Jesus commanded baptism and
the church in the Book of Acts preached and obeyed it. We do not
apologize nor soften our stand on what the Bible says about baptism.
It is by immersion and it is for the forgiveness of sin. It is not an
option. The Bible relates baptism to the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38), the putting on of Christ (Galatians 3:27), and to salvation
(Mark 16:16). God then abides in the Christian through the
Holy Spirit who comes at baptism. What makes us unique? We baptize by
immersion for the forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
5.
WE OBSERVE THE LORD'S SUPPER EVERY LORD'S DAY
- How foreign this is to most churches today. The weekly observance of
communion is taught in the New Testament. Acts 2:42 says, "They
devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to the fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 20:7 tells us that
"On the first day of the week we came together to break
bread..." There is also much teaching in the epistles on the
subject. Plus, our Lord said, "Do this in remembrance of
Me."
1.
Christians Only by James Deforest Murch, (Cincinnati:
Standard Publishing, 1962), p. 103.
2.
Christianity Restored by Alexander Campbell (Printed and
Published by McVay and Ewing, Bethany, VA., 1835) p. 7.
3.
Facts Concerning the New Testament Church by P.H.
Welshimer (Published by Standard Publishing),
p. 4.
