In all honesty, it is difficult to know
where to begin to answer that inquiry. Part
of the difficulty arises from the fact that
we are wanting to lift up Jesus and not
ourselves. Our goal is not simply to attract
new members to "our church." In fact,
whenever we talk about "our church," there
is a tendency to displace the Lord whose
church it is. But that is not our intent. So
with some uneasiness, let us tell you a
little bit about the group of Christians
that meets at 4343 Hwy 81 South in
Washington County, TN.
We are a relational church
We are a church that focuses on
relationships. As a congregation, we strive
to be a family: a place of warmth, growth,
nurture, encouragement and mutual support.
We put people ahead of programs. We believe
that right relationship with God gives
energy, clarity, and purpose to life. That
gets translated into our relationships with
peole both inside and outside the church.
Just being "religious’ has no value before
god. Man-made religion only stands in the
way of our relationship with God and others.
"For anyone who does not love his
brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God,
whom he has not seen. Whoever loves God must
also love his brother" ~ I John 4:20
We are not a denomination
While we make no pretentious claims
of being the only Christians, it is our
sincere desire to be Christians only. Not
this kind of Christian or that kind of
Christian, but just Christians. Of course,
in many ways we agree with others striving
to follow Christ. We believe in the divine
inspiration of the Bible (II Tim 3:16-17);
in the death of Jesus Christ for our sins (I
Cor 15:3; and after death all men and women
will be rewarded or punished in another life
for the way they lived here (II Cor 5:10).
And with all people of real religious
conviction we believe that the moral
teaching of Jesus are absolute truths to be
applied to life ( Rom 6:1-3).
"There is one body and one Spirit – just
as you were called to one hope when you were
called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one
God and Father of all" ~ Eph. 4:4-6
The Bible only
We not only believe that the Scriptures
are inspired, but also are convicted that
the New Testament must be our ONLY guide in
religious faith. God’s Word frequently warns
us against changing the divine message (Gal.
1:6-9). We, therefore, have no creed or
catechism to present, but accept Christ as
our only creed and the Bible as our only
guidebook. Therefore, we are committed to
calling people back to a simple faith and
obedience to Jesus without denominational
encumbrances. That requires only the Bible.
No other book or creed is needed. As an
autonomous, independent, nondenominational
congregation we live under the authority of
the Word of God. And that is why we place
such an importance on Bible study (II Tim
2:15)
Restoration rather then reformation
It is obvious to thinking people that the
religious world is greatly divided. Great
leaders such as Martin Luther and John
Calvin sought to correct false teachings and
practices. But the reformers often started
at different points and thus arrived at
different conclusions. Division rather than
unity has resulted.
"I felt I had to write and urge you to
contend for the faith that was once for all
entrusted to the saints" ~ Jude 3
We, on the other hand, plead for the
restoration of apostolic Christianity rather
than a reformation of existing religious
bodies. Since all can agree that the early
church was right, we should alsobe able to
agree that we cannot be wrong if we succeed
in reproducing that church today in every
essential part. While many things have
changed in the twentieth century, the
teachings of Jesus and His apostles have
not. God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). Truth
is absolute and unchangeable.
We are a believer’s church
We have an open fellowship with all those
who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God, and have been born again by their faith
in Him. All baptized believers are accepted
into our fellowship without a congregational
vote or membership procedure. Church
membership procedure. Church membership
means nothing if a person is not vitally
related to Jesus Christ as their Lord and
Savior. Inherent in this description is our
rejection of the notion that someone can be
born into the church. The New Testament
knows nothing of the infant baptism or of
one person’s faith bringing someone else
into relationship with God. Each individual
must make their own, God-prompted decision
about faith in and obedience to Christ. (Rom
10:13-14).
"For it is with you heart that you
believe and are justified, and it is with
your mouth that you confess and are saved" ~
Rom 10:10
An invitation
Of course there is more that could be
said. But the words on a page don’t really
tell the story. The Embreeville Church of
Christ is not a building. It is people.
Diverse people. Frail, imperfect, unfinished
people who by the grace of God are finding
strength, wholeness and purpose in the One
in whom we have believed.
We pray that the Lord will bless you as
you seek His will for your life. If there is
any way we might be of assistance to you,
please let us know. We want to help. We
invite you to get to know us better.
