WHO ARE WE ???

There are times that being opposed to something that is wrong and unscriptural, that being, to teach the negative truth regarding that subject, but do not fail to emphasize the positive also, especially on subjects like these.......I oppose Abortion, I am 100% against it, but yes, I am pro-life....On Gambling, I am 100% against it, but yes, I am pro honest work..... Denominationalism, I am 100% against it, but yes, I am pro Gods family/priesthood/kingdom/temple/sheepfold/body/assembly as well as other metaphors describing, the ECCLESIA of God, his people called-out of the world into light.

When folks ask, Who are those people that serve Jesus Christ as Lord? I enjoy telling them, as positive as I can, about those that I read in the Bible, and they turned the world upside down in a few short years! We who are the servants of God, doing the same thing they did in that first century, can turn the world topsy-turvy again. What did they do and believe that was so effective, that our modern CHURCHES don't do?

Individually they were Christians, saints, sons/daughters, ministers, priests, slaves, disciples, sheep, citizens, stones, body members, etc Furthermore they were trying to be Christians only. Because they were students of the Christ, they were called disciples (Jon.8:31). In the relationship to one another, they were  brethren (Mat.23:8).  As an assembly of His people they were referred to by various descriptions. With no earthly ties to human and/or political bodies, they went directly to the throne; singing, praying, studying the Word, worship, partaking of the supper, exhorting one other in the faith, meeting in each others home daily, fellowship concerning spiritual matters. That is all God requires, expects and/or approves.

THE AUTHORITY: In matters spiritual, it was only the Word of God. The Word of God which became flesh (Jesus Christ) and the inspired letters which the Apostles and prophets were led by the Spirit to write (the New Covenant scriptures). They accepted the Old Covenant scriptures as how God dealt with the Nation of Israel, and they used them for future comfort, example and hope (Rom.15:4; I-Cor.10:11; II-Tim.3:16). They were not concerned with the dictates of any man or group of men. They sought the favor of God above anything else.  They had no spiritual relationship with anyone else except the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Mat.28:19) and with every child of God, they had a brother or sister to grow up in Christ with. Since God the Almighty was on the throne and mankind were all equal on this footstool of God, all titles were reserved for Him alone, brethren took no titles at all (Mat.23:9) They were His children, both by adoption and by a spiritual new-birth, (Jon.3:3; Rom.8:15). This new birth is of water and the spirit (I-Cor.12:13; Col.2:12; Tit.3:5; Heb.10:22).

THEIR SALVATION: They insisted that a man is saved by the grace of God and that it is by personal faith in Christ, that God's grace is then bestowed upon him. Yet they put no more trust in faith, as a work, to save, than in any work. Man's works are useless in meriting salvation (Rom.4:4), but no one can refuse to obey God and be saved (James 2:2). Saving faith is made perfect, or complete, by obedience to God. True faith works in love (Gal.5:6). Plainly put, we have come to the grace of God in Christ, by hearing the gospel, responding in faith, faith leading to repentance and immersion into Christ (Acts 2:38; Col.2:12). In Christ, we attempt to "work out" our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil.2:12) and trust God to "work in" us both to will and do his good pleasure and purpose (Phil.2:13). They claimed the right to every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Eph.1:3). Therefore, no earthly organization of man can add anything to their state of blessedness in Christ (Col.2:10).

THEIR MESSAGE: They ask no one to come to them or to the ideas of men. They invited all mankind to come with them, to the Word of God, to Jesus, to undenominational, non-sectarian, New Covenant Christianity. They knew this would not appeal to those who are minded according to the flesh. Some prefer the security of a party, the solace of a sect.

No doubt today, there are thousands who are tired of human traditions, and ways men; who hunger and thirst after righteousness; who seek a clearer view of the Son of God. To all of these they say: Let's open our bibles together, then honestly attempt to suit our lives to its teachings. Going to Jesus Christ the Son of God, to Him alone. Take the inspired Word of God, and that alone. Being Christians, and that alone....Anything more or less than that, is presumptuous on my part!

Folks.....I've labored thoughtfully and carefully, about how to state positively and plainly, just to simply be, a child of God. Wearing no labels at all. There are multitudes all over this world we live in who are serving God free and independent of any religious organizational ties. If you take this response as, Horace doesn't belong to any brand of Church, you have understood me better than most on this BBS. What do we do with all the real estate, bank accounts, satellite businesses that are part and parcel of the "Organizations of Religious Diversity" I wish I had an acceptable answer for one and all.... I can teach pro and con about,... ABORTION, GAMBLING, ALCOHOLISM, DRUGS, HOMOSEXUALITY, DIVISION, DENOMINATIONALISM, etc.... But, making an impact to turn all of these unscriptural endeavors around, I believe it will only be done by one at a time and more of us that openly teach against sin when and wherever we find it, then we will start seeing some results. All that we are responsible for is to preach the Word,  God gives the increase!

I'M A MEMBER ONLY, OF THE BODY OF CHRIST! AND HEREIN, I TAKE MY STAND!

  Yours for Truth and Freedom.....Horace Hooper