Norton Street church of Christ
"People helping people to reach the likeness of God." (1 Peter 1:13-16)
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Norton Street church of Christ "People helping people to reach the likeness of God." (1 Peter 1:13-16) |
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Greetings
Welcome to the church of Christ on Norton Street online! In your quest for the truth we are glad you have taken the time to learn more about the church of Christ on Norton Street. We are a friendly church ready and willing to assist you (as long as it is within our means) with whatever it is you need assistance. The Bible teaches that the church is to be, "Steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that [our] labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15.58). According to the Scriptures, the work of the church is threefold: (1) Evangelism, (2) Edification, and (3) Benevolence. While all three are equally important, evangelism takes precedence for the church's God-given purpose is to "make known the manifold wisdom of God" (Ephesians 3.10). This simply means that we are to, "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned" (Mark 16.15-16). The "gospel" is the good news about Jesus Christ (Acts 2.22-36). Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God (Matthew 16.16). Jesus was sent by the Father from heaven to earth to destroy the works of the devil (John 12.49; 1 John 3.8). In the beginning of time, man---beguiled by Satan---disobeyed God and gave birth to sin (Genesis 3.1-24; 2 Corinthians 11.3). Sin would prove to be man's plight, for sin is lawlessness (1 John 3.4), and separates man from God (Isaiah 59.1-2). But God did not leave man in this deplorable situation. God, rather, made provision for man to be reconciled by His only begotten Son (John 3.16; Romans 5.6-11). Jesus declared, "For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19.10). Again, Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14.6). How did Jesus make man's redemption possible? The Scriptures teach us that Jesus died, was buried, resurrected the thrid day, and was seen of many witnesses by the power of the Father (1 Corinthians 15.1-8; Romans 1.4). It was through this act that man's redemption was purchased for all time (Acts 20.28b; Ephesians 1.7; Revelation 1.5; Hebrews 7.26-28). So, it is declared of Jesus that, "He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world" (1 John 2.2). But how, exactly, does Jesus reconcile man to the Father?
In Matthew 16.18 Jesus declared, "I will build my church. . . ." Jesus, being the Son of the living God (Matthew 16.16), promised to build His church. In fact it was upon this truth---that Jesus is the Son of the living God---that the church would be constructed (1 Peter 2.5). So, in 1 Corinthians 3.11 we read, "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Thus, we may conclude that Jesus is the founder of the church (Ephesians 2.20). Notwithstanding, a careful analysis of the above Scriptures discloses the fact that Jesus did not build many churches, but one church. In Ephesians 4.4 the Bible declares, "There is one body. . . ." In this verse the term "body" makes reference to the church. Pay close attention to what is recorded in Ephesians 1.22-23, "And he [the Father] put all things in subjection under his [the Son] feet, and gave him [the Son] to be head over all things to the church, which is his [the Son] body. . . ." Hear it again, in Colossians 1.18 the Word of God says, "And he [the Son] is the head of the body, the church. . . ." So, the church is the body, and the body is the church! Therefore, if there is but "one body" (Ephesians 4.4), and the term "body" makes reference to the church, then it stands to reason that there is but "one church" (Matthew 16.18). Now, the word church simply means, "The called out." In 1 Peter 2.9 we read, "But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." The church, then, are those whom the Father has called through His Son out of darkness (i.e., a life of sin) into His marvellous light (i.e., a life without sin as a member of Christ's church). We hope you will join us and learn more about what the Bible says concerning salvation and the church.
History of the Norton Street church of ChristThe church of Christ on Norton Street dates back to May 1949 when thirteen Christians met in the Sam Houston Elementary School in Corpus Christi, Texas. By May of 1950, the membership had grown to thirty-five as the congregation was located in the flourishing part of town. In August of 1950 lots were purchased on the corner of Norton and Melbourne Street so that a meeting place could be constructed. The building was completed in July of 1952, and was filled to capacity soon afterwards. Since then, several additions have been made to the facility and the membership continues to grow. In March of 1993, after many prayers and much planning, the Norton Street church of Christ (Anglo) merged with the Cosner Street church of Christ (Hispanic) becoming one new congregation. This successful merger has been a great blessing, and has presented us with many opportunities. Our PleaSince the death of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His church, the world has existed for approximately 2,000 years. A great deal has changed in the world since then, and even more has changed in religion. According to the Bible, Jesus intended to establish one church, which practiced one faith, believing in one God, and preaching one hope (John 17.17-23; Ephesians 4.3-6; 1 Corinthians 1.10,13). Nevertheless, the intention of Christ has been disregarded seeing that there are hundreds of different religious groups which designate themselves by different names, creeds, practices, and governments. For years Protestantism hoped to reform Catholicism because of differences that were found in the Bible. Yet, during the battle for religious reform many disagreed with each other and religious division was born. Denomination fought against denomination, Christian against Christian, until very recently these religious sects have agreed to disagree and be at peace with one another. The plea of these divided sectarian groups is unity. But how can religious unity exist in religious disunity? How can unity exist when each denomination has its own separate belief in government, creed, practice, and worship? The Bible is emphatic, Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Corinthians 1.10). Can those denominations which advocate unity in disunity honestly say that they are in accordance with the Word of God? If the answer is yes, then either they are ignorant of Gods commandments or they seek to do the Devils work.
Before Protestantism and long before Catholicism, there was the church of Christ! The church of Christ is the church of the New Testament (Matthew 16.18,19; Acts 20.28; Romans 16.16; Ephesians 1.20-23; etc.). Before there were creeds and long before there were traditions, there was the Bible! Denominations want to believe that their church was established by Christ: thereby acknowledging His authority and the authority of His word. But when their beliefs, practices, and governments are contrary to Gods Law it is evident that their church is nothing more than a human institution. The Bible says, It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10.23). Therefore, the psalmist wrote, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119.105). If we are not safe in believing and obeying the commandments as set forth in the New Testament of the Holy Scriptures, then there is no assurance of our salvation. There is no better standard for religious faith and practice than the Bible! It is able to make one wise unto salvation and has been given by inspiration to teach, to reprove, to correct, and to instruct in righteousness unto perfection (2 Timothy 3.15-17).
The church of Christ openly rejects the neglect and perversion of the Holy Scriptures. We commence our career as a church under the banner, The Bible our only guide; the Bible we must rightly divide! We ignore all man-made names, creeds, and authorities and count them as rivals to the unerring and infallible Word of God. The church of Christ seeks to return to the ancient order of religion as demonstrated in the New Testament. We continue in the apostolic doctrines and practices as indicated in the New Covenant. And our plea is for religious unity, but not at the cost of a perverted Gospel! Let all sectarianists relinquish their man-made teachings for New Testament Christianity! Denominations that intend to maintain their rebellious stance by holding on to their man-made religion, that never intend to review their position, nor to investigate how far they have departed from the New Testament will hate and oppose such a position as a restoration to the biblical pattern. We encourage an investigation into our practices and our beliefs. You will find that our name is biblical. Individually we are Christians and collectively the church of Christ (Acts 11.26; Romans 16.16; 1 Corinthians 12.27; Ephesians 1.22,23). You will notice that our government has for its head Jesus Christ (Colossians 1.18; Ephesians 4.11-16). You will be amazed at the restored worship of the first century (Acts 2.41,42; 20.7), and at the maintaining of the apostles doctrine (Galatians 1.6-9; 2 Thessalonians 2.15). In the end, you will be overwhelmed with joy knowing that you have finally found the church you can trust your soul with (Ephesians 5.23)! Why not be just a Christian? Why not follow just the Bible? At the church of Christ on Norton Street we are doing just this. Come and join us as we seek to worship God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12.28). God is true!
Contact InformationIf you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through one of the mediums listed below.
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