You can be just a Christian! Does this sound strange? With about 1,200 different religious
bodies in our country, it might appear impossible to be a Christian without being part of a
denomination. It is not only possible, but there are actually millions of "Christians only" in this
and other nations.
Who are these people who seek to be only Christians? The congregation of which they are a part is known as "The Spruce Pine church of Christ." This term is not used in a sectarian sense, but is intended to denote their desire to belong to Christ's church. The Bible says, "All the churches of Christ greet you." (Romans 16:16). Furthermore, it is just as correct to describe the church of which we read in the Bible as "the church of God" (1 Corinthians 1:2), "the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27), or "the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). These and similar Biblical phrases are not proper names, but descriptive expressions which show how the church is related to Christ and His Father.
Individually Christ's followers are known as "Christians" in the Bible. "The disciples were
called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26). "If a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed; but let Him glorify God in this name." (1 Peter 4:16). Never does a human name
prefix this God given name. Paul was one of the greatest of all Christians, but he did not want
disciples to be called "Paulites" or "Paulite Christians." (See 1 Corinthians 1:10-17).
In many ways the members of the Spruce Pine church of Christ agree with others who are
striving to follow Christ. We believe in the Divine inspiration of the entire Bible and that it is
sufficient to guide us in all matters of faith. We believe in the death of Jesus Christ and His
Atonement for our sins, and that after death all men will be rewarded or punished in another life
for the way they have lived here. Along with all people of real religious conviction, we insist that
the moral principles of Jesus are absolute truths to be exemplified in the personal righteousness
of the child of God.
However, we not only believe that the scriptures are inspired, but also are convicted that the
New Testament must be our ONLY guide in religious faith. God's Word frequently warns us
against changing the Divine message. (See Galatians 1:6-9). We, therefore, have no creed or
catechism to present, but accept Christ as our only creed and the Bible as our only guidebook. In
this way we are never prevented by an erroneous creed from accepting any truth which may be
learned from God's Word.
It is obvious to thinking people that the religious world is badly divided. Great leaders such as Martin Luther and John Calvin sought to correct erroneous teachings and practices. But the reformers often started at different points and thus arrived at different conclusions. Division rather than unity has thus resulted.
The Spruce Pine church of Christ, on the other hand, pleads for the restoration of the Apostolic Christianity rather than a reformation of existing religious bodies. Since all can agree that the early church was right, we should also be able to agree that we cannot be wrong if we succeed in reproducing that church today in every essential part. While many things have changed in the twentieth century, the teachings of Jesus and His apostles have not. Truth is absolute and unchangeable. God's Word is truth (John 17:17) and can save today as surely as in the first century if applied in the same way. "The truth will make you free." (John 8:32)
Should you visit the Spruce Pine church of Christ, you will find it worshiping God as did the
early disciples - "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). You will observe that it partakes of the
Lord's Supper, or communion, every Sunday. This is because we are following the example of
the early Christians who assembled every first day of the week to "break bread" (See Acts 20:7).
Likewise, in every other way we seek to reproduce New Testament Christianity - in organization,
in work, and in other areas of teaching.
In few places is there so much disagreement as in answering the Bible question, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Here again the Spruce Pine church of Christ replies by going to the Scriptures for the answer. The Bible teaches that Christ shed His blood for our sins (Matthew 26:28), and that without it we cannot be saved. What does Jesus require of us if we are to appropriate that sacrifice? Those who crucified Him were told to "know assuredly" or believe that Jesus is "both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36). When these people on the day of Pentecost then asked for further information, they were told, "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto remission of your sins..." (Acts 2:38). Today we teach as did the apostles that for Christ's blood to remove our sins we must as believers in Him repent and be baptized. As we are thus saved from our sins, the Lord adds to His body, the church. "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:47). "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body." (I Cor. 12:13). The saved, then are in the body or church of Christ; one cannot be saved and be outside this body.
The early disciples were Christians only. Although we live nearly 2,000 years later, we too can be Christians only if we will follow the same teachings given to these first followers of Jesus. Christ said, "The seed is the word of God." (Luke 8:11). Just as surely as a planted acorn will produce only an oak tree, so God's Word will produce Christians and nothing more. We invite your earnest consideration to this plea.
Worship with us at any of the times listed on the next page. You will be treated as our honored
guest and encouraged to study the Scriptures in purity, honesty and sincerity.
We at the Spruce Pine Church of Christ are interested in helping you know more of God's Word. We have several programs designed to accomplish this and we list them below. Just fill in the form, mark the programs that interest you, and mail it to: Spruce Pine Church of Christ, P.O. Box 401, Spruce Pine, NC 28777. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can.
If "Forms" are not supported by your Web Browser, send request to: jcripps@yancey.main.nc.us