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Churches of Christ
We
believe in & practice
Regular Weekly Communion, Baptism*,
Prayer, Reading God's Word
and regular weekly giving
of our Free-will Offering.
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The Vision of Kersbrook Church of
Christ
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Kersbrook Church of Christ is a
regional church. Most of the worshippers travel
many kilometres to reach the
church and its activities.
The vision of
the church shall be to continue to offer the
community of Kersbrook
and beyond, a church that worships the Living God
according to sound Biblical principles and
practices
of fellowship.
We are affiliated with that body of believers
known as Churches of
Christ in South Australia and Northern Territory
Incorporated. In turn, these are affiliated with
Churches of Christ in Australia and Churches of
Christ, Disciples of Christ and Christian Church internationally.
Our desire is
to introduce all persons whom we meet to the one
true Living God.
Our prayerful desire is that they too, encounter
Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
Our desire is
also to offer them our servant-hood, as
believers, and to nurture them towards
a
maturity in Christ, by the power of the Holy
Spirit through:
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Encouraging obedience to the
Living God in Jesus Christ as
Lord;
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Encouraging obedience in
Believer's
Baptism-by-immersion
(see below);
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Regular meeting around the
Table of the Lord for Communion;
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Empowering them to join in
ministry and fellowship in the
community of believers.
Baptism*
Communion
Beliefs
Worship
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Baptism:
At
Kersbrook Church of Christ,
Baptism is an
important part of becoming an obedient
Christian.
Only those who declare their
faith in the Living God through Jesus
Christ, are baptised.
The method of
Baptism is
according to Scripture ― by
full immersion in water (not by
sprinkling).
Jesus
was baptised by John the Baptist
in a river (Matthew 3:13-17) and so identified
Himself
with God's people. Jesus asked
His followers to make all people His
disciples,
to Baptise them, and to teach
them (Matthew 28:16-20).
In
the story of the early Christian church,
baptism went hand in hand
with a life
commitment to Jesus Christ.
Thousands
who believed in Jesus on the day of
Pentecost
were baptised (Acts 2:41).
Baptism was the natural result of
commitment
to Jesus for an
Ethiopian
court official (Acts 18:26-40)
a Philippian jailer (Acts 16:16-34)
a
Philippian business-woman (Acts
16:11-15)
and many others.
From the beginning, the Christian Church
baptised people by total immersion.
This
retains the symbolism of death, burial
and resurrection.
In earlier times,
baptism was performed in a river or a
pool. Nowadays,
some candidates ask for
their Baptism to be in the sea
or swimming pool.
Churches of Christ believe the
symbolism of death, burial and
resurrection
is best represented
by the
practice of total immersion ~ as Jesus
Christ did.
Today, baptism is mostly performed in
warm water in baptisteries that are part
of church buildings,
though it can be in
a river, the sea or a swimming pool. The
act is very moving.
Rising
from the water, having fulfilled the
command of Jesus, the person enters a
new life
as a Christian ~ a follower of the Lord
Jesus Christ and becomes part
of the
worldwide
Body of Christ - the Church (1 Corinthians
12:12-13).
In Churches of Christ, baptism follows a
declaration of faith in the Living God
through
Jesus Christ.
This was
also the practice of the early church.
Baptism always follows repentance (acknowledging that one is a
sinner in need
of a Saviour, and turning to a 'born again'
lifestyle given
in Scripture ~ The Word
of God)
and genuine faith in the Christ of the
One True Living God.
This
assumes that the person is mature enough
to understand and respond.
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Communion:
Jesus Said, "Do this ... in
remembrance of Me."
We at Kersbrook Church of Christ emphasise that
The Lord's Supper, the Communion, is the central act of worship.
The people who have gathered for worship,
partake of Communion by receiving a portion of the Communion bread and drink from their
Communion cup.
As they do so, they remember that these
elements represent the body and blood of
Jesus - who lived among men and women -
who shed His blood, gave up His life as
a sacrifice on our behalf, when He died on
the cross. He did this for all time, a
once only sacrifice to wipe away our sins.
The Lord's Supper is the commemoration
and proclamation of His death until He
comes again. The Lord's Supper is an
actual Communion with the risen Christ
who is present in a unique way,
fellowshipping with His people. Those
who are His, have repented before God of
all their sins to seek His forgiveness that we
might live with Him forever.
Partaking of Communion binds Christians
together, in a divine love, celebrating
belonging to the Body of Christ -
His Church.
Each committed person
prays
their private prayer after each
'element' is taken.
Sharing in Communion is not
done lightly or thoughtlessly.
While the elements (bread and grapejuice) are
being served, Christians reflect on
Jesus, His death and His great love;
reflect on
the words of the Bible that may have
been read, on the God-given message
which precedes the Communion time, and
led by a person who prepares for that
event.
The Communion may be led by a person who
loves the Lord with all their heart, all
their mind, all their soul, and who is
guided by the Spirit of God. All those
who preside over Communion as a leader,
are Baptised members of the Body of
Christ in that place - in our situation,
at Kersbrook Church of Christ. We
practice 'Open Communion', that is, any
person who wishes to respond to the love
of God is welcome to participate.
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Beliefs:
The beliefs and
teachings of the Kersbrook Church of
Christ are from the Scriptures, the Word of God - the
Bible. Our enthusiasm majors on the
essential message of repentance and
forgiveness, and the love, grace and
mercy
of God. Our main theme is that Jesus is
the risen Son of the One True Living God
and the
Saviour of all who truly repent
and
put their trust in
Him.
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Worship:
The Kersbrook Church of Christ recognises that
worship is a central part of Christian
life. It is the act of giving Praise and
Thanks to our Holy God, gaining a sense
of awe and wonder in the light of His
great love, giving expression to one's
gratitude and laying oneself open to the
activity of God's Holy Spirit.
Our worship services are informal and
friendly. The form of our services is
easy to follow with preaching from the
true Word of God ... from the Bible.
Music,
Prayer, Scripture and Teaching
are usually a part of our worship services,
with Communion being the central
focus.
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