NORTH CAROLINA CHURCH OF CHRIST
December 22, 2024
Hospital: Mike Garrison, NAMC
Home: Gerald Clemmons, James Cole, Thomas Davis,
Virginia McDonald
Cedar View: Barbara Parker
El Reposo: Eldora Clemmons/104
LCNH: Prue Kelley/1
Mitchell/H’worth/Barbara Smith (Call before you visit)
SHUT INS: Freddie Davis, Stacy McCormack, Evelyn
Newton, Betty Scott, Vicki Wright.
Please remember those in the nursing homes and our
Shut-Ins
ISAIAH’S CALL: Please continue to bring Hamburger
Helper Meals or give your donations to Amy, Ann, or
Pat.
We begin a new series of lessons for the Auditorium Class
this week. The Teachings of Jesus for the 21st Century.
Lesson #1 Authority in Religion for the Modern World is
on the table in the foyer. Lesson #2 for next week, Correctly
Handling the Word of Truth, is also on the table for your
study. Men…The lessons to be taught are also on the table
in the foyer. As always, please pick the lesson you would
like to teach and sign the appropriate space.
Lesson #8 for the Wednesday night class is on the table
in the foyer. That lesson is Micah.
Please check the Bulletin Board for cards, etc.
We will be collecting funds for Food Cards for
Christmas. These funds will go to give cards to
families at Rogers and Lexington schools. Please
make your checks out to North Carolina Church
of Christ with a “For” notation, Food Cards. If
you have any questions, see Phillip or Alene.
We are in charge of the services at Cedar View
Assisted Living Facility on Sunday, December 29th,
Beginning at 2:00. Please mark your calendars.
We are buying Christmas gifts for 3 girls at the Children’s Home this year. If you would like to donate money, please make your check payable to North Carolina Church of Christ. The notation should be Children’s Home.
The Fellowship Building is booked for the 7th, 14th & 15th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 31st of December
Midweek Services will be on Dec. 26th and
January 2nd.
There WILL NOT be a 5th Sunday Fellowship Meal this month.
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Please keep these folks in your thoughts and
prayers.
Michelle Bernstein, Sherry Box, Alma Butler, Billy Bryant, Vicki Burbank, Haley Bugg, Donnie Carroll, Tom Childers, Jane Clark, Gerald Clemmons, Mitch Clemmons, Jim Clemmons, Brandon Cody, Jennifer Davis, Thomas Davis, Caitlyn Dennis, Tammy Dial, Kevin Dillon, Dakota Garner, Mike Garrison, Bridgett Gattis, Carter Glascock, Kayla Hamner, Lori Hargett, Shirley Harmon, Cypress Hayes, Taylor Hendrix, Charles and Joyce Hester, Lana Hines, Christine Holden, Cindy James, Josh Hones, Brock Killen, Don Lakey, Madalyn Littrell, Brenda McDonald, Charles Miller, Porter Mitchell, Peggy Montgomery, Luke Oliver, Tracy Pace, Ethan Pennington, Kenzie Perkins, Dennis Phillips, Tamika Powell, Mike Prince, Linda Rickard, Ricky Rogers, Lazaro Ruiz, Susan Schmidlkofer, Kim Sharp, Steve Shelton, Kristi Shollenberger, Barbara Smith, Betty Sparkman, Kevin Springer, Jean Symore, Earl Tank, Brad Tank, Patrice Tucker, Rene Voser, Luke White, Donna Wilkerson, Vicki Wright
WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?
How do you identify a Christian? In the Bible, the first time the term “Christian” is used is found in Acts 11:26. Here, we see that it is the disciples of Jesus who were given this title. A disciple is a student or follower of another. So, a Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ.
Today, there are many people who claim to be followers of Jesus but teach many different things. Are they all Christians? Before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed this about those who would believe in Him, “…that they all may be one as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21). Here, we learn two things. The disciples of Jesus must be united, and that unity must be in Christ Jesus.
What does it mean to be “in Christ”? According to Romans 8:1, being in Christ Jesus means you have “no condemnation.” In Romans 12:5, being in Christ means that you are part of the “one body.” In Ephesians 2:13, if you are in Christ Jesus, then you “…have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” So, someone who is “in Christ” is someone who is saved from condemnation, is a member of the one body (or church), and has gained admittance by the blood of Jesus. “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:9-10).
This next question is very important. How, then, do we get in Him? Look at the next two verses in Colossians 2. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands…” How? “…by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh….” How? “…by the circumcision of Christ…” What is that? “…buried with Him in baptism…” How does baptism do that? “…in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Col. 2:11-12).
In order to be “in Christ,” you must be brought into Christ. This passage shows us that this only happens in baptism. Throughout the New Testament, we are commanded to be baptized (cf. Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:21). It is not a work of man, but as Colossians shows us, it is the working of God.
So, who is a Christian? If you were never baptized into Christ, then you cannot be in Christ. If you are not in Christ, then you were never saved, and you cannot be a member of His church because you never gained admittance by the blood of Jesus. Your salvation is incomplete. A Christian is a disciple of Christ. That means that you follow His teachings. Have you followed Christ into the saving waters of baptism?
Via: Robert Lupo
Palm Beach Lakes Church of Christ
Palm Beach Gardens, FL