Congregations are Autonomous
Titus 1:5
For this cause I left thee in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.
Acts 9:31
Then the churches throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had rest and were edified, and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Acts 15:41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 16:5
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Romans 16:4
who have for my life laid down their own necks, unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Romans 16:16
Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
1 Corinthians 7:17
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all churches.
1 Corinthians 14:33
for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as it is in all churches of the saints.
There is a plan of salvation
There is a plan of salvation. Hearing, Believing, Repenting, Baptism, and remaining Faithful is the plan of salvation for individuals. These are words on a page but each of them is an important step and life decision.
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1.As potential Christians we are to Hear the Word as the first step. - Romans 10:14-17; Acts 15:7
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2.Then we must Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He lived, died, and rose for us. - Mark 16:16
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3.Once we hear and believe, we Repent of our old ways. - Acts 2:38
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4.We Confess Christ before men. - Matthew 10:32-33
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5.Then we are Baptized as the scriptures illustrate. - Romans 6:1-4
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6.Finally, we remain Faithful in our devotion to the Truth and the Way. - Revelations 2:10
