Our Services & Gatherings

What God Commands for our Gatherings

Believers gather on the Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John. 20:19; 1 Cor. 16:1-2) to worship God through listening to doctrine preached (Acts 17:11-12; Acts 20:27; 1 Cor. 1:18; 1 Cor. 2:1-8; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim 4:2; Heb. 13:7, 17) and read (1 Tim. 4:13; Col. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27), singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9), enjoying Christian fellowship (Acts 2:42; Heb. 3:12-14; Heb. 10:24-25), celebrating the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-34), baptizing believers (Matt. 28:18-20), and praying (Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 9; Eph. 5:19-20; Epb. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Tim. 2:1-2).

We believe that there is sound biblical evidence that the Lord Jesus Christ commanded the church to practice baptism and the Lord’s supper. Baptism is the one-time event in which an individual, that makes a profession of faith in Christ, identifies himself as a Christian by immersion in water (Matt. 3:5-6; 28:19; Mark 16:16; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 36-39; 16:32-34; 18:8). Christ commanded that believers be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18-20). Baptism is presented as the first step of obedience for a Christian (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 10:44-48; Acts 16:31-33). This act gives a powerful testimony to all that this person is a true Christian – one who has demonstrated repentant faith in Christ (Matt. 3:6; Acts 2:38, 41; 22:16).  Baptism does not provide salvation but provides a good conscience before God (I Pet. 3:21). The Scripture seems to present baptism as a picture of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and the new life that a Christian now enjoys through Christ (Rom. 6:1-4). The Lord’s Supper is an important part of church life (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-34). Christ commanded that the Lord’s Supper be observed (Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-34). The Lord’s Supper serves as a memorial of Christ’s death until he returns (I Cor. 11:24-25).