What is the church of Christ?

The church of Christ is God’s institution. It is not man-made. It has existed on Earth since it was instituted after Christ’s death. It began at the first Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2.

God planned for the church from the beginning of time. We see that in Genesis 3:15, Daniel 2, and Isaiah 53.

The Church is God’s!

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's. (I Corinthians 1:2)

It is the body of Christ. 

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18,24)

It is God’s kingdom.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

It is the house of God.

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (I Timothy 3:15)

Who founded the church of Christ?

Christ founded the church somewhere around A.D. 33. The church of Christ you see in your town is a congregation of believers that try to follow the pattern set forth in the Bible. We are autonomous of other congregations of the Lord’s church. We have no central man-made head, or council, or synod. We only follow Christ, and we learn of Christ through his word, the Bible.

Christ is the head of the church 

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)

We do Bible things, Bible ways. We are happy. We are kind, and we are in Christ where all spiritual blessings are found! (Ephesians 1:3) What could be better? NOTHING! We want you to know the peace that comes from being in Christ. (Philippians 4:7)

Can you imagine someone dying for you? Someone who loved you so much that they took upon your sin as their own? That’s what Christ did.

Christ died for the church!

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Because he died for us, we can have salvation! Christ didn’t just die for those who believe on him. He has died for all of us. To be welcome at his feast we must accept the invitation he offers. It’s his church, so it’s his invitation. No man can set the terms to enter into the church. We do not have that right, or authority. Christ alone is head, and he alone sets the terms.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Who can be members of the church of Christ?

Everyone is welcome to be added to the church Christ built. (Acts 2:47) We do not vote to decide if you can be a member. We do not wait for you to have some kind of feeling, or an epiphany. All you have to do is obey the pure gospel as taught by Christ and his apostles. That’s all! Nothing magical. Everyone can be a Christian, and God wants all men to come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

How to be a member of the church that Christ built.

Hear the gospel

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10: 14-17)

Believe the gospel

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:24)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:1,6)

Repent and be converted

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (Acts 17:30)

Confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9,10)

Be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27)

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

So, now you know. Be like the Bereans and study to see that these things are so (Acts 17:11). We hope to see you at worship, and look forward to welcoming you as a brother and sister in Christ.

51st MSOP Lectures Live

Meet the Author and Blogger Angela Legg

I want to welcome Angela to the Church of Christ Women Authors blog! It's always a real treat to get to know new authors and sisters in Christ. Please join me in helping her feel welcome!

Angela runs the blog, The Diligent Woman. Her blog is full of interesting articles, information about essential oils--one of my favorite things, and much more.

She is releasing her newest book, in April 2017!


When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I had a flair for writing in high school, but I also knew I didn't have the patience to write novels. I want to get what is in my head on paper and into the hands of an audience quickly! Writing Bible class material is a natural fit for me. Even as a teenager, I would teach bible classes based on my own outline of the Bible story to be covered rather than using printed material. So it was a natural thing when I found there was a lack of serious study material for young women.

How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends upon the book. "To Be a Handmaid of the Lord" took three months to write once I set down to put it in book form. I've been working on a study on prayer for almost a year, but I've only been thinking about it and jotting things down. Once the thoughts are together it should not take long for it to come together. I am results driven, so once I put down the plow in the field I want to finish the job quickly.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I am a stay at home, home schooling mom to five daughters - so time to write (or think) can be hard to find. When I am fleshing out an idea or an outline, I'm not very organized in my time. When the thoughts come more organically they come together better for me. Once I have a plan in place, then I can create a schedule and focus on one aspect of the material at time until it is completed. For trying to work writing into my day, I get up early and have "office" hours for four hours until after the girls have all had breakfast. Then I move back into the house and organize chores and school. If possible, I come back to my office after lunch when the youngest ones are napping and get more done then.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk?

I really do not know! When it is time for me to get something written, I just start putting it together until I run out of things to add for the moment. I go back and re-read what I wrote and keep going in the next session.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

As my material is all Bible study material - I use the Bible as its own commentary. The ideas to start come from conversations with others, especially with our girls. I also take note of topics that seem to not have books written for them, or specific demographics that seem to be missing a focus of study that applies directly to them. I believe firmly that the Bible holds the answers for all people in all situations, we just have to read it to see them.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love to read. My mother only ever once grounded me - from books - because I wasn't getting my chores done for all the reading I was doing. Books are friends. I am picky about which ones I read and tend to read the same ones over and over again. I have a large library. A book in my hand represents so much - the time and effort of the author, the publisher, the distributor, etc. Even if you only spent $5 on that book - that book holds TREASURE. Thought, wisdom, humor, instruction. The Bible is the ultimate, but books are a true doorway to growth that you get from no other medium. I also love to watch movies - old movies with Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, or Myrna Loy are my favorite types. Our family loves to vacation together, even if it is a stay at home vacation. Being with them, exploring the world around us is one of my favorite past times.

What would you tell other Christian women who want to write?

Write! The world does not have enough of truth in the books they read or study today. Fiction or non-fiction, they are written to tickle itching ears instead of build foundations for truth. If you have the gift of the pen and words, use it bring glory to the Lord.

How many books have you written? 

I have published two books. Two others are planned for later this year.
Which is your favorite? "To Be a Handmaid of the Lord" is my favorite. It speaks so much to the things I needed to hear and understand when I was younger and need to be reminded of now. Those who have used it are touched to learn how much God loves them and has provided for them. I love that it brings women to have more confidence to go out there and serve as God would have them to do.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? 

The best things I've ever been told is "write, and keep writing". You will only improve by doing it again and again. And if you NEVER write it down, then those things are not going to do anyone any good. Get them out of your head, on to paper, and pray to the Lord that you do so in a way that brings glory to Him always.

What do you like to read? 

Historical fiction mainly. "The Lord of the Rings" is one of my favorites, and even though it is considered fantasy, to me it reads as historical fiction. These people, in these times, and what they did about the evil among them. Another favorite is "Gone with the Wind". Being a woman more like Scarlett and less like Melanie, it is an excellent worldly proof of how the truly strong woman is the one who has that "meek and quiet spirit", as God showed as truth in Bible. The Anne of Green Gables series is another favorite. Classical literature has so much more depth to it than modern story-telling often does, so I tend more towards older writers.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? 

I wanted to be a teacher and a mother. As a home schooling mom I got to be both!

Fun fact.

I am not a big sports fan. I AM a big fan of my man - so for his sake I am a New York Mets fan-wife. We even have a daughter named after Shea Stadium.

Available Books:

God's Plans for Parents
A Diligent Woman's Prayer Journal
To Be a Handmaid of the Lord
To Be a Handmaid of the Lord (Reproducible)

Announcing: 2017 COCWA Anthology Submissions for A Jealous Heart

I am excited to announce that the Church of Christ Women Authors Blog is now taking submissions for its second anthology. The theme is A Jealous Heart. The great thing about this theme is that it covers so many different aspects from a religious standpoint and fictional standpoint.


Submission Details:

Submission is open March 8, 2017 through October 31, 2017. Those with works included will be notified by email.

Please send your submissions to the Church of Christ Women Authors at churchofchristwomenauthors@gmail.com, and write Anthology Submission in the subject line of the email.

Submissions may be sent in the body of the email, or as a .doc attachment. Please include the genre and category of your piece.

All authors who are included in the anthology grant one-time publication rights to Susan Elliott, of the Church of Christ Women Authors Blog for publication in the anthology A Jealous Heart. Rights return to the author after publication.

No simultaneous submissions accepted.
Previously published work is accepted.

Submission Categories:

• Poetry: Submit no more than 5 poems on any topic
• Non-fiction: Submit 1-2 pieces no more than 2,000 words
• Short Story: Submit 1-2 pieces no more than 3,000 words
• Essay: 1-2 pieces no more than 1,000 words
• Novel Preview: 1-4 chapters of an unpublished novel

Submission of work constitutes agreement to the terms mentioned as well as acknowledgement that you are a member of the church of Christ.

Submission is open to all members of the church of Christ. I am looking for submissions in several categories and all genres of fiction are welcome. Please include a short bio of no more than 300 words with your submission to be included in the anthology.

The anthology will be available to purchase in print and in Ebook form.

Payment Details:

All those included in the anthology will receive two print copies of the anthology as payment. There are no royalty payments given to those included in the anthology. And, no other forms of payment.