Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the church of Christ believe in “water salvation” or “baptismal regeneration?”
No, the church of Christ does not believe in “water salvation” (that we are saved by the water). We believe and teach that a person is saved by God’s grace through our faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our faith is in the working and promises of God. God saves us, not water.
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12
Water baptism is commanded and is seen in the New Testament repeatedly, thus we follow those examples of conversion.
“…See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both int the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Acts 8:36-38
2. Why does the church of Christ not believe in music?
If you attend our services then you will quickly notice the absence of a piano. The reason that we do not have one is simple. It is not because we cannot afford a piano. The reason we do not have a piano, or any other instrument of music, is because the Bible teaches that we are to sing and make melody in our hearts unto the Lord, without the aid or use of any instrument.
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19
Singing is very much a musical expression of praise unto God. We do have music in every service when we open our mouths and sing to the Lord!
3. Why does the church of Christ not follow the Old Testament?
The Bible teaches that the Old Testament, including the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses, were abolished.
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross…Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come…” Colossians 2:14-17
The Old Testament and the Law of Moses were a shadow or a representation of the true covenant with Jesus Christ. The Old Testament serves an extremely important purpose. That purpose is to give us examples, both good and bad (Romans 15:4). However, that law, with its commandments (Ephesians 2:15), sacrifices and ceremonies are no longer binding upon us today. We are under the law of Christ, which is the New Testament (Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 8:13).
When learning what we must do to be saved, the day of worship and how to properly worship God, we are under the New Testament. Our appeal must be made to the covenant of Christ.
4. Is there a dress code for how I am supposed to dress for worship?
There is no official dress code for the Raymore Church of Christ other than making certain we adorn ourselves in modest apperal (1 Timothy 2:9). We do not give respect, or disrespect, based upon what a person is wearing (James 2:2-4). Above all, we want to be sure that our dress is God-honoring. We do not place comfort above reverence. Dressing casually is not our first priority — God is. This respect for God is given even by the way we dress in the worship assemblies.