Come and Worship With Us!
We are a church that seeks to honor and glorify God by obedience to His Word. We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired and infallible Word of God and only by following the New Testament pattern can we faithfully serve and worship Him. We want to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. Jesus shed His blood and died for His church and therefore we give Him the glory by going by the name of Christian only. We are members of the body of Christ, the church of Christ.
What To Expect When You Worship With Us!
Whether it is your first visit or you have been here many times, you will find a friendly welcome at the Hollister church of Christ! When you worship with us we want you to feel like family and leave the worship services encouraged and uplifted.
Each Sunday our worship to God includes A Cappella singing, praying, a message from God's Word, giving as we have been prospered and partaking of the Lord's Supper. Our main purpose is to praise and honor God not to entertain man. Everything we do is governed by what we read in the Word of God. (Col. 3:17)
Singing - you will find that when we sing we do not use choirs, soloists or musical instruments. God tells us in Ephesians 5:19 that we are to "speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." And in Colossians 3:16 we are told to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Notice, in both of these verses, we are commanded to sing to one another, no where in the New Testament has God authorized the use of musical instruments. We are told to "speak" and to "sing" to one another which means "everyone" is commanded to sing! As each individual is singing to praise and glorify God we are at the same time teaching and encouraging one another through the words we sing.
Each Sunday our worship to God includes A Cappella singing, praying, a message from God's Word, giving as we have been prospered and partaking of the Lord's Supper. Our main purpose is to praise and honor God not to entertain man. Everything we do is governed by what we read in the Word of God. (Col. 3:17)
Singing - you will find that when we sing we do not use choirs, soloists or musical instruments. God tells us in Ephesians 5:19 that we are to "speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." And in Colossians 3:16 we are told to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Notice, in both of these verses, we are commanded to sing to one another, no where in the New Testament has God authorized the use of musical instruments. We are told to "speak" and to "sing" to one another which means "everyone" is commanded to sing! As each individual is singing to praise and glorify God we are at the same time teaching and encouraging one another through the words we sing.
Lord's Supper - one of the greatest honors we have has Christians is to partake of the Lord's Supper. In Matthew 26:26-29 we read, "And as they were eating Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take eat this is My body." Then He took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when
I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." As we partake of the unleavened bread we are to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made by giving His life as a sacrifice for our sins. Then, as we drink
of the fruit of the vine, we remember His blood that was shed so we might have remission of sins. Jesus, though sinless, died on the cross so that you and I might be free from the bondage of sin. We remember this great sacrifice on the first day of the week just like the example of the early Christians we read about in Acts 20:7. "Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, (Lord's Supper) Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message til midnight." The communion is for everyone who has become a child of God by obedience to His commands.
I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." As we partake of the unleavened bread we are to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made by giving His life as a sacrifice for our sins. Then, as we drink
of the fruit of the vine, we remember His blood that was shed so we might have remission of sins. Jesus, though sinless, died on the cross so that you and I might be free from the bondage of sin. We remember this great sacrifice on the first day of the week just like the example of the early Christians we read about in Acts 20:7. "Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, (Lord's Supper) Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message til midnight." The communion is for everyone who has become a child of God by obedience to His commands.
Giving - another part of our worship is the opportunity to give back to God as He has prospered us. We follow the command given to the first century Christians that we read about in I Corinthians 16:1-2, "Now, concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: on the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." These financial gifts are used to support the many good works here at the Hollister church of Christ. As a visitor you are under no obligation to give.
Preaching - we will also hear a message from God's Word. This gives us the opportunity to hear God speak to us through His Word. The Word is God is important, for it is our guide in how to become a Christian and how to live a faithful life. It is also the standard by which we will be judged on the day of Judgment. (John 12:48) Therefore, it is important for us to read and study His Word so we can know what we must do in order to be pleasing in His sight. Only by studying and obeying His commands can we be saved and spend eternity with God in heaven!
Prayer - prayer is our way of speaking to God. We are told to pray without ceasing. (I Thess. 5:17) That means we need to have a prayerful attitude and speak to God often. Prayer is powerful and in James 5:17
we are told that, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." We speak to God in prayer to express our concerns, needs, desires and thanking Him for all the blessings that He has so bountifully given to us in this life and the life to come.
If you are interested in simply serving God according to His will, we believe the Hollister church of Christ
is the place for you. Our goal is to go to heaven and help as many others as we can by simply doing what God commands of us, nothing more and nothing less.
we are told that, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." We speak to God in prayer to express our concerns, needs, desires and thanking Him for all the blessings that He has so bountifully given to us in this life and the life to come.
If you are interested in simply serving God according to His will, we believe the Hollister church of Christ
is the place for you. Our goal is to go to heaven and help as many others as we can by simply doing what God commands of us, nothing more and nothing less.
How To Become a Member of the Lord's Church
In the salvation of man's soul, there are two necessary parts: God's part and man's part. God has done His part, it is a gift. We read in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory." Because of His great love for mankind, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross and the giving of His Word, the Gospel, to mankind is God's part of salvation. God has done everything He can do to make a way, a plan, for the saving of mankind.
Now, it is up to us to do our part by obeying His commands for salvation. The question is, "Are we going to accept God's plan of salvation?" In order to receive salvation (eternal life) we must do exactly what God commands. We can not make up our own rules and expect God to save us. We must comply with the conditions of pardon which God has command in His Word. As we read and study the New Testament we can clearly see what it is that God wants us to do.
Now, it is up to us to do our part by obeying His commands for salvation. The question is, "Are we going to accept God's plan of salvation?" In order to receive salvation (eternal life) we must do exactly what God commands. We can not make up our own rules and expect God to save us. We must comply with the conditions of pardon which God has command in His Word. As we read and study the New Testament we can clearly see what it is that God wants us to do.
Hear - the first thing we must do is hear what it is that God wants us to do. By listening to the Gospel being preached and by reading and studying God's Word we hear what God expects of us. That is how we come to know God and have faith in Him. We are told in Romans 10:17, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." God has given us the Bible so we can know Him and understand what He wants us to do. Jesus said in John 6:44-45, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me." If you want to come to God you must begin by hearing what He has to say.
Believe - in Hebrews 11:6 we read, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to god must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." and John 8:24 says, "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." We must believe or have faith in God and that He will do what He says He will do. God has said that He will save us from our sins if we will obey Him.
Repent - repentance has been defined as Godly sorrow. That means as we learn about God and what He expects from us we realize that we are sinners, not doing the will of God. This causes us to be sorrowful and that sorrow causes us to turn from our sinful way of life and turn to God. Unless we are willing to make changes in our way of life and conform our will to the will of God we will not be saved.
Notice what we read in Acts 17:30-31, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
We see the Apostle Peter telling those who had crucified Jesus on the cross, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Therefore, repentance is necessary for salvation.
Notice what we read in Acts 17:30-31, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
We see the Apostle Peter telling those who had crucified Jesus on the cross, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Therefore, repentance is necessary for salvation.
Confess - If we do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God and be willing to publicly make that confession then we will not be saved. Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father who is in heaven."
We are told in Romans 10:9-10 that confession leads us to salvation. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
We are told in Romans 10:9-10 that confession leads us to salvation. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Baptism / Immersion - is the place where salvation takes place, it is where our sins are washed away. Ananias told Saul, who is later referred to as the Apostle Paul, "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
The blood of Jesus washes away our sins when we are obedient to God's commands. Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin." (Romans 6:3-7)
Despite what some teach, baptism does save us when we believe in God, repent of our sins, confess Jesus as the Son of God and are baptized for the remission (forgiveness) of sins. The Apostle Peter, in talking about how Noah and his family were saved in the ark by water made this comparison with our salvation today through baptism. "There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 3:21).
In Mark 16:15-16 Jesus Himself said that baptism is required for salvation. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
So we see that baptism is required by God in order for us to be saved. When we submit to the will of God and obey His plan of salvation He removes all of our sins and we are now in a right relationship with God, we are a child of God, we are a Christian!
The blood of Jesus washes away our sins when we are obedient to God's commands. Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin." (Romans 6:3-7)
Despite what some teach, baptism does save us when we believe in God, repent of our sins, confess Jesus as the Son of God and are baptized for the remission (forgiveness) of sins. The Apostle Peter, in talking about how Noah and his family were saved in the ark by water made this comparison with our salvation today through baptism. "There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 3:21).
In Mark 16:15-16 Jesus Himself said that baptism is required for salvation. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
So we see that baptism is required by God in order for us to be saved. When we submit to the will of God and obey His plan of salvation He removes all of our sins and we are now in a right relationship with God, we are a child of God, we are a Christian!
Faithfulness - after becoming a Christian we must continue to follow God in obeying His commands. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15) We must faithfully follow God all the days of our life. For only then will we receive eternal life as stated in Revelation 2:10, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life."
As we have seen, God has done His part in providing for our salvation, now the rest is up to us. Will you do your part and be obedient to God's plan of salvation for mankind? If you have any questions, want us
to study with you or if you want of obey the Gospel you can contact us and we would love to help.
For further Bible study you can go to the Home page and on the right hand side and under Bible Studies click on "Study". From here you will be able to choose from several different courses and lessons to take.
As we have seen, God has done His part in providing for our salvation, now the rest is up to us. Will you do your part and be obedient to God's plan of salvation for mankind? If you have any questions, want us
to study with you or if you want of obey the Gospel you can contact us and we would love to help.
For further Bible study you can go to the Home page and on the right hand side and under Bible Studies click on "Study". From here you will be able to choose from several different courses and lessons to take.