WHO WE ARE

Below is a brief description of who we are.

WHO WE ARE

First Christian Church of Newton is part of "the voluntary fellowship of independent Christian churches and churches of Christ" known as the Restoration Movement. We first gathered as a church in Hickory in 1990; after purchasing our facility in 1991, we relocated here and changed our name to reflect our new location.

We have much in common with other Christians (for example, God existing in three Persons, the death and resurrection of Jesus, the authority of Scripture). But there are five things that mark us a distinct from other groups - things that are Biblical but sometimes forgotten or ignored. You can remember them by using the word AGILE.

Autonomous - We are AUTONOMOUS - that is, we have no outside governing body that tells us what we have to do or believe. We are self-governing. No denominational officials or structure, no synods, and no regional bishops have control over us. We have the freedom ( within Scripture ) to do as we see fit to strengthen this local church. Biblically, we can ( and do ) associate with other churches of similar belief to share in ministry ( Acts 11:28-30, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 3 John 5-8 ).
Governed - This doesn't mean that we have no authority over us. Jesus and His word revealed in the New Testament are, and both say that we are to be GOVERNED by plural leadership. Ideally, this is by an eldership ( Acts 20:38, Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Peter 5:1-4 ). However, due to our small size and a lack of male leadership, we have a board of trustees to have legal oversight.
Immersion - We practice baptism by IMMERSION because it was the practice of the early Christians as recorded several times in Acts ( 2:38, 8:34-38, 10:47-48, 26:33, 22:16 ) and in some of the Letters written by the apostles (Romans 6:1-14, Galatians 3:26-27, Colossians 2:9-12, Titus 3:4-7, 1 Peter 3:21-22 ). Because of the promises associated with this, ( forgiveness of sin, receiving the Holy Sprit, being united to Jesus, and being clothed with Christ ) and that it was commanded, we are not at liberty to disregard it. This by no means does away with the importance of faith and repentance!
Lord's supper - We offer a weekly communion or LORD'S SUPPER which seems to have been the practice of the early church. Acts 20:7 implies that it was the reason that the Christians came together - to break bread and remember Jesus ( Acts 2:42-47, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 ).
Elect - How one is part of the ELECT ( or chosen of God ) is a problem that has vexed Christians for centuries. Our understanding is that one is called through the gospel, is able to understand it, and can respond to it ( Acts 2:14-37, Romans 1:1-6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 ). Biblically, "chosen" is associated with a purpose - that of being like Jesus and thus making his calling and election sure (Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:3-5, 11-14, 2 Peter 1:10-11 ).

FIND YOUR FAITH

It's been said that "every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future," Each of us has something in our past that we regret and wish that we could forget. We cannot forgive ourselves. But here's the amazing thing about our Father. According to his promise, God forgives and chooses to forget (Jeremiah 31:31-34). No matter where you are on your spiritual journey--whether saint, sinner, struggler, seeker, skeptic--God offers hope and help. He does this through Scripture and his church--his imperfect yet being perfected people. We don't claim to have it all together or to have everything figured out. But if you need someone to walk alongside you in the Way of Christ, let us know.