West Columbia Church of Christ
South Carolina
Welcome
This may not be the type of "Welcome" page you were expecting, but please read it through.
We can tell you lots of good things about the church, the people, that meet here.
We're happy, friendly, and helpful. We're sincere: in our love for God; belief in His Word and desire to be like our Lord, Jesus.
We could show stock photos of smiling couples, old and young, and happy children, implying we have them here. And indeed we do.
We can tell you these things, but the simplest and best thing is for you to come visit and see for yourself.
See if you feel welcome. Ask questions. Are we God's people? Would it be good for you and your family to be with us?
Compare what we say and do with what you find in the bible, God's word. God approves checking up:
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." - Acts 17:11
In the Bible, we read of the apostle Paul in the city of Corinth. He was thinking of leaving, but God told him, No! ...
"... for I have much people in this city." - Acts 18:10
God wanted people in that city to hear His word. It was necessary that they do so.
Paul wound up staying a year and 6 months in Corinth doing just that - preaching God's word.
We know God has many people in West Columbia also. We want them to join us.
We know God will get His people to where His word is preached.
So we do as Paul did - preach God's word, because we also know, as Paul said, that the power is in God's word - not us!
God's Word - the Bible - will build up God's people as God wants us to be - like Christ:
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:13
None of these scriptures exists in isolation.
They have a context, the scriptures around them, that help us understand them correctly.
That's why we've provided easy links to the referenced Bible passages.
Please, go read Ephesians chapter 4 to see what God wants for his people and how He provides for that.
Hopefully you, like us, want to honor God by doing what He has told us to do, in the ways He has told us to do them, out of faith and love for Him.
He told us He's given us everything we need, through the knowledge that Jesus had written for us, in the Bible:
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" - 2 Peter 1:3
What are we telling God if we go looking elsewhere?
God's people should be attracted to God's word. Some may find the scriptures off-putting.
Those who are looking for God though, must realise that His Word, the Bible, is the only place men can go to find and learn of Him! After all, HE WROTE IT!
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." - John 17:17
Lots of churches claim they preach the Bible. Many claim they are directly inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Why then are there so many differences?
Why are there as many churches as there are restaurants listed in the phone book?
Why all these different denominations, with different names, different practices, different beliefs?
"... and upon this rock I will build my church;" - Matthew 16:18
You should be looking for the church that Jesus would recognize as His -
one patterned after the church He and the Apostles established in the first century.
The pattern for such a church is completely described in the New Testament. And Yes!, they're out there.
Is the church important? Yes! You can't be saved outside it! ALL spiritual blessings are only found in the church established by Christ. This is not our word ... it is God's:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" - Ephesians 1:3
Are we right to say being in the church is the same as being in Christ? Yes, Jesus said so through the apostle Paul:
"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."" - Ephesians 1:22,23
The church is the body of Christ. Being in His church means being in Christ - where all spiritual blessings are found. Important? You bet your life (your spiritual eternal life) it is!
Why the differences? Why so many denominations with different beliefs and practices?
Because there is an adversary to God, Satan (which is what Satan means in the original Hebrew).
He doesn't want us to get to heaven.
He was there in the Garden of Eden, telling Eve "You won't surely die" (Genesis 3:4) causing God to reject them.
Satan was there in the early church at Corinth, getting people to do things their own way after Paul left; Paul wrote:
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing,
and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" - 1 Corinthians 1:10
And Satan is here today, with the same lie to keep people from God as with Adam and Eve:
Jesus doesn't want many churches - denominations; different things needing different names to differentiate them. He died to build one church - His!
Remember, the search of God's people, for His church is of the greatest importance - Where you will spend eternity?
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." - Matthew 7:21-23
Please read these scriptures, get them in context, so you can find and identify the church Jesus built,
the church of Christ, the church striving to do the whole will of God, as found in the Bible.
Accept no substitutes. You don't have to, God gave us the Bible so we could know. But it's up to you to use it.
Come visit and study with us as we strive to learn and do all of God's will.
We'll show you what God says, in His word, not ours. Do you believe in Jesus? Is His word important?
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"
Thanks for visiting, we hope to see you soon!
We want you, your family, us, everyone to get to heaven!
You might want to watch the video "Why Are There So Many Churches?"
also Searching for Truth
More videos
They must be listening to someone other than God, for God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33)
No, Jesus came to build HIS church, just one:
"go to the church of your own choice ... the church doesn't matter".
No sadly, outside the church for which Jesus died, without Christ, "you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17)
It's out there - along with many others that claim they are, but only one is of God.
The others will keep you from God. This is what the adversary - Satan, wants.
We're not making this up; this isn't our peculiar doctrine - this is what JESUS said!
- Matthew 7:21-23
It's your choice - please choose wisely! We care about you, and want to Welcome you, just as our Lord Jesus does.
Contact us with any questions you have about the church and the Bible. We're easy to get hold of and want to help.
Printed handout for visitors to our weekly assembly.
