In the first century there were many charges made agaist Christ's church. some were due to selfish ambition (Acts 17:6). some were due to mere intellectual and philosophical curiousity (Acts 17:18). But some were from honest hearts seeking God's divine guidance (Acts 16:30).

Regardless of someone's motice, asking questions about a certain religion or church is a good thing and we encourage it. The following are common questions asked about the "church of Christ."

Yes! We believe all of the Bible to be the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), however we do not believe that all the Bible is binding as law upon us today (Romans 7:1-4; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8;6-7; Hebrews 9:15).

This is an important question, because so many religions try to bind some of the Old Testament and some of the New Testament. For example, some churches demanding "tithing." It was a commandment in the Old Testament to "tithe" or give a tenth of your possessions to the Lord. However, in the New Testament, we are encouraged to give as we have "purposed in our heart" on the first day of the week (2 Corinthians9:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Is it not interesting how some churches demand tithing but do not demand animal sacrifices? Both are from the Old Law. We need to "rightly divide" God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15-16).

Of course we believe in music. Singing was commanded for the Lord's church (Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13). The melody should be with our hearts not through the entertainment of a musical instrument. In the Old Testament, instruments in worship were commanded (Psalm 150), however in the New Testament the Bible is totally silent concerning instruments in worship. We seek to practice the only authorized type of music for the Lord's church.

No. However, preaching Christ includes preaching baptism. When the multitude of people on the day of Pentecost realized they were living in sin, Peter told them to "repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins" (Acts 2:38). When Ananias came to Saul he said, "Arise and be baptized wash away your sins, calling upon the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). When Philip preached to a treasurer traveling back to Ethiopia, the text says he "preached unto him Jesus." this indluded baptism because the treasurer said, "See here is water what hinders me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:35-38). when Paul preached to a jailer and his family, they were baptized in the same hour of the night that they learned about Jesus (Acts 16:32-33).

Yes. We preach baptism because Jesus and the apostles taught baptism (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). However, baptism alone does not save man from sin. We must preach all of the salvation plan:

Grace	Ephesians 2:8-9
Mercy	Ephesians 2:4-5
Word	2 Timothy 3:16-17
Jesus	Romans 5:8
Hearing	Romans 10:17
Believing	Romans 10:9-10
Repenting	Acts 2:38
Confessing	Romans 10:9-10
Baptism	1 Peter 3:21; Matthew 28:18-20
Living a life of faith	Revelation 2:10; 2 Peter 1:1-11

Man cannot save himself from sin. Jesus' blood on the cross saves us from our deserved punishment (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:1-8). But, faith in Jesus is more than just a mental acknowledgement that He ixists (Matthew 7:21-23). We need to obey Him and following His plan of salvation and not our own. Baptism is part of the Lord's plan. In baptism we "put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27).

No. However, the Bible is most definitely right and whoever disagrees with it or does not follow it is wrong (Matthew 24:35; John 12:42-48). Less time should be spent on the "who" and more should be spent on "what" is right. Jesus said we need to make wise choices. Not all religious people are saved. Only those who submit themselves to the Lord's will and seek to obey Him will be saved (Matthew 7:13-27; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17; Matthew 25:31-46).

Remember the Bereans? They did not believe everthing the apostle Paul said until they had searched the Scritpures on their own (Acts 17:11). Let us be like the Bereans today!

If you have any questions about the Grinnell church of Christ, please dontact us: grinnellcoc@netins.net or call us at (641) 793-2989 or (641) 521-6485.