Things you should know

You should know that in Bible times, the church is called: 

The temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16) 

The bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32) 

The body of Christ (Colossians 1:18,24; Ephesians 1:22-23) 

The kingdom of God's son (Colossians 1:13) 

The house of God (1 Timothy 3:15) 

The church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2) 

The church of the first‐born (Hebrews 12:23) 

The church of the Lord (Acts 20:28) 

The churches of Christ (Romans 16:16) 

You should know that the church is: 

Built by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:13-18) 

Purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28) 

Built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) 

Not built on Peter, Paul, or any other man (1 Corinthians 1:12-13) 

Composed of the saved, who are added to it by the Lord who saves them (Acts 2:47) 

You should know that members of the church are called: 

Members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5) 

Disciples of Christ (Acts 6:1,7; Acts 11:26) 

Believers (Acts 5:14; 2 Corinthians 6:15) 

Saints (Acts 9:13; Romans 1:7; Philippians 1:1) 

Priests (1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6) 

Children of God (Galatians 3:26-26; 1 John 3:1-2) 

Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16) 

You should know that the local church must be working toward or have: 

Elders (also called bishops and pastors) who oversee and tend the flock (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4) 

Deacons, who serve the church (1 Timothy 3:8-13; Philippians 1:1) 

Evangelists (preachers, ministers) who teach and proclaim the word of God (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 4:13-16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5) 

Members, who love the Lord and each other (Philippians 2:1-5) 

Autonomy, and is bound to other local churches only by the common faith shared (Jude 3; Galatians 5:1) 

You should know that the Lord Jesus Christ: 

Loved the church (Ephesians 5:25) 

Shed his blood for the church (Acts 20:28) 

Established the church (Matthew 16:18) 

Added saved people to the church (Acts 2:47) 

Is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:23) 

Will save the church (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23) 

You should know that man did not: 

Purpose the church (Ephesians 3:10-11) 

Purchase the church (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25) 

Name its members (Isaiah 56:5; Isaiah 62:2; Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16) 

Add people to the church (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:18) 

Give the church its doctrine (Galatians 1:8-11; 2 John 1:9-11) 

You should know, to enter the church, you must: 

Believe in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24; Acts 16:31) 

Repent of your sins (Turn away from your sins) (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30) 

Confess faith in Jesus (Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10) 

Be baptized into the saving blood of Jesus Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48; Acts 22:16) 

You should know that baptism requires: 

Much water (John 3:23; Acts 10:47) 

Going down into the water (Acts 8:36-38) 

A burial in water (Romans 6:3‐4; Colossians 2:12) 

A resurrection (Acts 8:39; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12) 

A birth (John 3:3-5; Romans 6:3-6) 

A washing (Acts 22:16; Hebrews 10:22) 

You should know that by baptism: 

You are saved from sins (Mark 16:16 1 Peter 3:21) 

You have remission of sins (Acts 2:38) 

Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21) 

You enter into the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:41,47) 

You enter into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:3-4) 

You put on Christ and become a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27) 

You are born again, a new creature (Romans 6:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17) 

You walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-6) 

You obey Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) 

You should know that the faithful church will: 

Worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24) 

Meet on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25) 

Pray (James 5:16; Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) 

Sing, making melody with the heart (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) 

Eat the Lord's supper on the first day of the week (Acts 2:42, 20:7; Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 11:20-32) 

Give, liberally and cheerfully (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8) 

You should know, that in New Testament times there was: 

One family of God (Ephesians 3:15; 1 Timothy 3:15) 

One kingdom of Christ (Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:13-14) 

One body of Christ (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4) 

One bride of Christ (Romans 7:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-23) 

One church of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4-6) 

You know that the same church today: 

Is guided by the same word (1 Peter 1:22-25; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

Contends for the one faith (Jude 3; Ephesians 4:5) 

Pleads for unity of all believers (John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:4-6) 

Is not a denomination (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:1-6) 

Is faithful to Christ (Luke 6:46; Revelation 2:10; Mark 8:38) 

Wears the name of Christ (Romans 16:16; Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16) 

You should know that you can be a member of this church: 

By doing what people 1900 years ago (Acts 2:36-47) 

Without being in any denomination (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13) 

You should know that a child of God: 

Can be lost (1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 3:12-19) 

But is given a law of pardon (Acts 8:22; James 5:16) 

Is constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ as he walks in the light of God (1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 John 1:5-10) 

This information is taken from a tract titled, "Some Things You Should Know"

How can I become a Christian? (See also God's Saving Plan)

1. By being taught about the Bible (Acts 26:1-28)

2. By the influence of Christians (Acts 26:28; 2 Corinthians 5:11)

3. By faith (Acts 26:27-28)

4. By repentance - changing your life (Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:38; Acts 11:26)

5. By confessing Jesus (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:13)

6. By Baptism (Matthe 28:18-20; Acts 11:26)

7. By imitating Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-24; 1 Peter 4:16)

Why should I become a Christian?

1. To be saved (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 11:26)

2. To be happy (Acts 8:39; Revelation 22:14)

3. To profit in your life (Matthew 16:26; 1 Timothy 4:8)

4. To glorify God (1 Peter 4:16)

5. To be blessed in death (Revelation 14:13)

6. To find rest (Matthew 11:28-30; Revelation 14:13)

7. To help others (Acts 26:28-29)

When should I become a Christian?

1. Today! (Acts 26:28-29)

Since we first started the Reno Church of Christ, our motto has been, “A family of faith united by a common love”. You see it on our logo; on our business cards; on our handouts. But even though some of us who worship at the Reno Church of Christ are related, that’s not the kind of family we’re talking about.

While addressing the Church at Rome, the apostle Paul wrote:

Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves. Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart. Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times. Share with God’s people who need help. Bring strangers in need into your homes. (Romans 12:10-13)

When preaching one day, we find where Jesus was talking to His followers. Here it says:

Then He pointed to His followers and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what My Father in heaven wants.” (Matthew 12:49-50)

In another place, we find John writing about Jesus. He wrote:

But to all who did accept Him and believe in Him He gave the right to become children of God. They did not become His children in any human way—by any human parents or human desire. They were born of God

.

In each of these passages, we find a common theme. As Christians, we are family. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are adopted children of God. And because we’re family, we treat each other that way.

We find several examples of how Christians do this when we look to the scriptures.

We encourage each other, as we find in Hebrews 10:24-25:

Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. 25 You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming.

We care about and love each other, as we see in 1 John 4:7:

Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child and knows God.

We help each other when we’re in need. We find this in Acts 2:42-47:

They spent their time learning the apostles’ teaching, sharing, breaking bread, and praying together.

The apostles were doing many miracles and signs, and everyone felt great respect for God. All the believers were together and shared everything. They would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide the money and give it to anyone who needed it. The believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.

We teach each other, and help each other grow, as Paul tells us in Colossians 3:16:

Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

We share in each other’s happiness, and are there for others when they’re sad, as we learn in Romans 12:15:

Be happy with those who are happy, and be sad with those who are sad.

As you can see, in every way that’s important, the church is like a family. No, we may not be related by blood, but we’re related by something even more important; our love and commitment to God.

Does this sound appealing to you? If so, please join us some time! We’d love to get to know you.