Our purpose for existence is therefore spiritual in nature. "Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" 

(1 Peter 2:5). Being a spiritual house, we meet to worship God just as Christians did in the New Testament days. We are careful to do as they did, namely to sing and pray; and on the first day of the week we partake of the Lord's supper and give as God has prospered us (cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 14:15; 1 Cor. 16:2). We try to be equally careful not to add anything to our worship that He has not authorized lest we worship in "vain" (Matt. 15:7-9).

The Nature of the Church

All who are in fellowship with Christ are members of His spiritual body, the church universal (1 Corinthians 12:12; Colossians 1:18). The universal church is a spiritual body, with Jesus as its head and saved people throughout the world as members of His body (Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 2:47). As such, the universal church has no earthly or physical organization.

Christ’s pattern for His church includes the saved joining themselves with others who have dedicated their lives to the glory of Christ (Acts 9:26). As a member of the body of Christ, every Christian supplies a needed function to the body, primarily in the context of the local congregation (Rom. 12:1-5; I Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:16). Wherever Christians extend fellowship to each other in worship and work, we find a congregation or local church. In the Bible we read about churches in Jerusalem, Rome, and other places. These were not different kinds of churches (as is so prevalent today), but congregations of Christians in various places.

These congregations were independent and self-governing, each having a plurality of elders (also known as bishops and pastors) watching out for their souls (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Assisting the elders were deacons who ministered to the needs of the congregation (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). The members were dedicated to following the example of the Lord in their daily lives (Ephesians 5:1-2).

The Idlewild church seeks to be such a congregation of Christians -- a church of Christ -- in our community.

The Authority of Christ

We accept Jesus Christ as Lord and we respect His authority. Jesus said, "And why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). Adding to, or taking from, the simple instruction of Jesus is to fail to honor Him as Lord. We have no conferences, synods, councils, nor earthly headquarters because Christ has not authorized these. Also, such man-made systems only serve to compete with Christ's authority and often bind human traditions upon others, which Jesus condemned (Matthew 15:3-9).

How Can One Become A Member Of This Church?

Become just a Christian! We urge all to accept God’s gift of eternal life in His Son (Romans 6:23). God’s plan for salvation involves:

• Sinners were told, "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).
• Repentance is toward God and faith is toward Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21)
• Upon belief, we confess Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:10)
• Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).
• Once you are baptized into Christ, you are then to live a life of faithful service to Christ (Revelation 2:10).
• When one is saved, he is added by the Lord to the church. "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). Therefore we accept into our fellowship all who willingly confess their belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and will repent and be baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of their sins. Obeying these commandments makes a person just a Christian. We wear no other name than Christ's and seek to be no other kind of church than the one described in the New Testament. Wouldn't you like to be just a Christian?

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