By ETHEL SKIPPER
Someone asked me, why do people go to church? I said, the church is a place where those who are saved, and have been born again, love God and one another, and where the Bible, which is the Word of God, is taught and preached.
In the New Testament, the Greek word “ekklesia,” which has been translated as “church,” means that which is called out. We are a called out people.
The Bible also refers to us as being God’s own notion of set apart people – that is the universal church.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)
We are also the congregation or assembly of believers that is the local church. And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul and not one of them claims that anything belonging to him was his own. And all of those who had believed were together and had all things in common.
The church is a family, not an organization. The concept of family is the same, yet every family is different, just as each individual within the family is different.
We are the church: “…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
Every believer must be a functioning part of the church. The spirtual new birth immediately places us in convenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
This week reach out to someone at church you see at each service, but don’t know their name.
On Sunday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m., Skipper Temple Church of Christ will have an old-fashioned worship day, singing, shouting, telling of God’s goodness. Preacher of the hour will be Elder Andrew Morris of Buckhorn village community.
Zion Hill P.B. Church will have their anniversary celebration on Sunday, Nov. 12. Worship time is 11 a.m. Speaker will be minister Shaw Webster. We welcome everyone. Host Pastor Elder Ervin Donaldson.
The Church of Christ Written in Heaven will be in its 84th Holy Convocation from Nov. 7-12 in Waycross, Ga. Florida churches will be in charge of services on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Wear your church colors. On Friday is Women’s Day – wear your white and emerald green.
