WHO WE ARE
Churches of Christ are autonomous Christian congregations associated with one another through common beliefs and practices. We seek to base doctrine and practice on the Bible alone, and seek to be New Testament congregations as originally established by the authority of Christ. If you like to worship God in spirit and in truth, if you enjoy thinking and meditating on God's Word, if you appreciate warm, intimate, genuine brotherliness, you will enjoy attending the services at the Gloucester Church of Christ (GCOC). We would like to encourage you to make a careful comparison of this church with the one described in detail in your Bible.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe that you will find this church is desirous in every way to be the church of the New Testament. Our goals at GCOC are to provide you with spiritual nourishment and to encourage a nurturing relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are a New Testament church that is faith-based. We are excited to share the Bible with you as well as to discuss the Christian faith and any other concerns with you. We welcome all visitors to this congregation.
We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16), and we strive to have no creed but the Bible.
We believe that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 32:39) who is all-powerful (2 Chronicles 20:6), all-knowing (1 John 3:20), and is everywhere (Psalms 46:1).
We believe that God created the world by his word (Genesis 1:1), and that the Word became flesh and dwelt among men in the form of Jesus (John 1:1, 14).
We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23), lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), and died for the remission of our sins (1 John 1:7).
We believe that by the grace of God, Jesus’ sacrifice is offered to us as a gift (Romans 3:24), that we receive through faith (Hebrews 11:6).
We believe that man is not justified by faith alone (James 2:24), but must respond by repenting and being baptized (Acts 2:38).
We believe that baptism is a burial in water that washes away our sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21), that we rise to eternal life (Romans 6:4), and receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). We believe that God adds baptized believers to his church (Acts 2:41, 47), which is his body, and over which he is the head (Ephesians 5:23).
WORSHIP
Preaching.... This is commanded (2 Timothy 4:2). It was involved in New Testament worship (Acts 20:7). It enables outsiders to participate in worship (1 Corinthians 14:23-25).
Breaking of bread...This is a synecdoche for the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). We have memorials for heroes killed in action; Jesus does not want His death to be forgotten either (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). When we partake of the Lord’s supper, we are showing that Jesus died for us and that He is coming again (1 Corinthians 11:26).
Prayer...We are expected to pray (Matthew 6:5, not “if,” but “when”). We are to pray at all times; good and bad (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Prayer is powerful (Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16). Prayer in worship is authorized (1 Timothy 2:8).
Giving...We understand that nothing we give can equal what was given for us (2 Corinthians 8:9). However, we also understand that are to give as much as we have been prospered (1 Corinthians 16:2) and cheerfully too (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Singing...It is verbal, congregational, and A Cappella (Eph. 5:19).
PLAN OF SALVATION
Hear the Gospel…"So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
Believe the Gospel…"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; But he that believeth NOT shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
Repent of sins… "I tell you, nay but except ye Repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3).
Confess Christ… "Whosoever, therefore shall Confess me before men, him will I Confess also before my Father which is in Heaven." (Matthew 10:32).
Baptized for the remission of sins…"Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38).
Churches of Christ are autonomous Christian congregations associated with one another through common beliefs and practices. We seek to base doctrine and practice on the Bible alone, and seek to be New Testament congregations as originally established by the authority of Christ. If you like to worship God in spirit and in truth, if you enjoy thinking and meditating on God's Word, if you appreciate warm, intimate, genuine brotherliness, you will enjoy attending the services at the Gloucester Church of Christ (GCOC). We would like to encourage you to make a careful comparison of this church with the one described in detail in your Bible.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe that you will find this church is desirous in every way to be the church of the New Testament. Our goals at GCOC are to provide you with spiritual nourishment and to encourage a nurturing relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are a New Testament church that is faith-based. We are excited to share the Bible with you as well as to discuss the Christian faith and any other concerns with you. We welcome all visitors to this congregation.
We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16), and we strive to have no creed but the Bible.
We believe that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 32:39) who is all-powerful (2 Chronicles 20:6), all-knowing (1 John 3:20), and is everywhere (Psalms 46:1).
We believe that God created the world by his word (Genesis 1:1), and that the Word became flesh and dwelt among men in the form of Jesus (John 1:1, 14).
We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23), lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), and died for the remission of our sins (1 John 1:7).
We believe that by the grace of God, Jesus’ sacrifice is offered to us as a gift (Romans 3:24), that we receive through faith (Hebrews 11:6).
We believe that man is not justified by faith alone (James 2:24), but must respond by repenting and being baptized (Acts 2:38).
We believe that baptism is a burial in water that washes away our sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21), that we rise to eternal life (Romans 6:4), and receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). We believe that God adds baptized believers to his church (Acts 2:41, 47), which is his body, and over which he is the head (Ephesians 5:23).
WORSHIP
Preaching.... This is commanded (2 Timothy 4:2). It was involved in New Testament worship (Acts 20:7). It enables outsiders to participate in worship (1 Corinthians 14:23-25).
Breaking of bread...This is a synecdoche for the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). We have memorials for heroes killed in action; Jesus does not want His death to be forgotten either (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). When we partake of the Lord’s supper, we are showing that Jesus died for us and that He is coming again (1 Corinthians 11:26).
Prayer...We are expected to pray (Matthew 6:5, not “if,” but “when”). We are to pray at all times; good and bad (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Prayer is powerful (Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16). Prayer in worship is authorized (1 Timothy 2:8).
Giving...We understand that nothing we give can equal what was given for us (2 Corinthians 8:9). However, we also understand that are to give as much as we have been prospered (1 Corinthians 16:2) and cheerfully too (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Singing...It is verbal, congregational, and A Cappella (Eph. 5:19).
PLAN OF SALVATION
Hear the Gospel…"So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
Believe the Gospel…"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; But he that believeth NOT shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
Repent of sins… "I tell you, nay but except ye Repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3).
Confess Christ… "Whosoever, therefore shall Confess me before men, him will I Confess also before my Father which is in Heaven." (Matthew 10:32).
Baptized for the remission of sins…"Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38).