Who is the church? The church is not a building. It is the people Christ purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). They are those who have repented and been buried with Him in baptism for the forgiveness of sins, raised to walk in newness of life, and added by the Lord to His body (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Scripture calls us to follow Christ and to handle His word accurately, to the glory of God (Matthew 7:21; 2 Timothy 2:15).
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death (Romans 6:3). In one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13).
Attending Bible classes and worship whenever we can helps us draw near to God. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Each class, worship service, prayer, and song turns our minds toward our Creator and reminds us whose we are.
As disciples of Christ and members of His body, our times together teach us to love and encourage one another as we seek a clearer understanding of God’s will (Hebrews 10:24–25). Each visit is an opportunity to share our lives, bear one another’s burdens, and become better equipped to resist temptation. We are reminded of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and of the forgiveness He offers when we repent and keep His commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 1:7–9). We compare our choices with His word and, when we need to, turn again in repentance.
We are not alone in the challenges, victories, and pains of life. We shake hands, embrace, listen, laugh, cry, and pray together, turning our burdens over to Jesus and helping each other in what ways we can (2 Corinthians 1:3–7).
Together we give thanks to God in worship, prayer, and song, and we let that gratitude show in our words and example. As we study, we strengthen our resolve to follow Christ and keep His commandments, so that others may see the hope that is in us and ask why (1 Peter 3:15). We want them to know the joy and peace of being in Christ, and what it is to walk through this world with our Savior’s help.
Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might present her to Himself in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25–27). He prayed that those who believe in Him through the apostles’ word may all be one, even as the Father is in Him and He in the Father, so that the world may believe that the Father sent Him (John 17:20–21). And He charged His people: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15–16).
For those near us, you are invited to join this journey of study and worship.
Buford Church of Christ
1135 Chatham Road
Buford, GA 30518 Sunday: 9 am | Bible class, in person (all ages)
10 am | Worship, in person and online
6 pm | Worship, in person and online Wednesday: 7 pm | Bible class, in person and online To God be the glory.
God First!
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