About Us
It is our desire to be identified with followers of Jesus Christ - Christians who do all things according to the pattern set by the apostles under Jesus' authority (Hebrews 8:5). This is possible for any who will learn, believe, and be guided by the plain teaching of the word of God (1 Peter 1:22-25).
We are not concerned with the building of architectural monuments or the social enterprises of our society. Our building is merely a tool designed to facilitate our work and worship. While, as individual Christians we socially seek each others' association, the church is not a "front" for a social club or agency. Therefore, the Lord's treasury is not used to promote social functions. Our aim is spiritual (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Timothy 3:15).
Since we are seeking to fulfill the spiritual needs of mankind, our concentration is centered upon proclaiming the praises of God (1 Peter 2:9); aiming our resources and our energies in this direction. To get caught up in the social and physical needs of mankind is to get sidtracked from what our real purpose is all about.
Too often churches leave the design of God to add additional works to the church. The church of Christ that meets on South 46th street in Fort Smith strives to do God's work in God's way. Members of this local church are here to help each other through life's toughest challenges (Galatians 6:2). By working and worshipping together, we can help each other become what the Lord intended.
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Scriptures
- John 4:23-24 -
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 -
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
- Ephesians 5:19 -
"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
- Colossians 3:16 -
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
Scriptures
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 -
"For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."
- Ephesians 4:4-6 -
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
- Hebrews 8:5 -
"who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, 'See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.'"
- 1 Peter 1:22-23 -
"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever."
- 1 Peter 2:5 -
"you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
- 1 Timothy 3:15 -
"but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
- 1 Peter 2:9 -
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
- Galatians 6:2 -
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Today, the religious world is filled with people attempting to worship God in ways that are not authorized by His word. The popular belief is that:"God loves us so much that He is not concerned with how we worship Him." But what did Jesus say about this?
While rebuking the scribes and Pharisees for not obeying the commandments of God, Jesus cried out, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and in vain they do worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:7-9). Jesus tells us that it is indeed possible to be in such a condition that would cause our worship to be empty or worthless. We may be drawing near to Him with our mouth, but our hearts can still be far from Him.
How can this be? Jesus answered, [because] “you teach for doctrines the commandments of men.” The scribes and Pharisees knew what the scriptures taught, but instead were teaching and following after human traditions. This truly is no different than the vast multitude of people who follow after man-made traditions today. Many will claim that they feel right with God. But is our worship to be governed by what seems right or what makes us feel good? The Lord has said that “there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
Jesus says that “God is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Jesus also prayed to the Father to sanctify us through His truth, for His word is truth. (John 17:17) God’s word is truth, and it is by that truth that we learn everything we need to know about the nature of Him, the fall of man, God’s plan of salvation, and also the way in which He wants to be worshipped. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
In the New Testament we find a simple, spiritual order of things that pertain to worship...
We are commanded to gather together on a regular basis for the purpose of worshipping God, and it’s important that we do that (Hebrews 10:25). Certainly, the Holy Spirit has revealed the need that brethren have to get together, and to be able to assemble and worship God on a regular basis.
God needs nothing from us (Acts 17:24-25), but we need Him, and He knows we need Him; and He knows that we need each other. Therefore, He has commanded that we assemble together with the purpose of worshipping Him. But if it is to be worship that He will accept, and worship that will benefit our spirits, it must always be done in spirit and in truth; obeying God's commands from the heart (Romans 6:17).
Why not come worship with us? We believe there is nothing more important than knowing God's word and understanding His will so that we can properly submit to Jesus Christ. Therefore, we would love to meet with you and study the Bible together. We invite you to assemble with us at any of our services. Rest assured you will be welcomed as an honored guest.
2323 South 46th Street
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Email: 46st.churchofchrist@gmail.com
Sunday Morning Worship.......10:30am
Wednesday Bible Classes.........7:00pm
