An Introduction to Skyview Church of Christ

One of our main objectives is to fulfill the commission given by Jesus when He told His disciples to "go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). In accomplishing this objective we want to:

Encourage people to move toward a complete relationship with God.

Be a spiritual example and blessing in our community.

Help lead people to salvation in Jesus Christ.

Show people how to become a part of God's spiritual family.

Find salvation that leads to eternal life with God.

Practice New Testament Christianity in everything we teach and practice.

Who are we?

We seek to be only Christians, nothing more or nothing less. Our goal is to follow the Bible as our guide in matters of faith and doctrine. We try to emphasize the same teaching as the church did in New Testament times.

We attempt in our daily lives to be a reflection of God and Christ in our relationship with other people.

We are independent. We do not belong to a national or international organization. We have no earthly head-quarters. Christ is the only head of the church (Ephesians 1:22,23). We are completely autonomous in our work and practice. The Skyview congregation provides its own leaders, makes its own decisions, and chooses its own activities.

We are human, and consequently our actions, knowledge, understandings and relationships are not perfect. Members of this congregation reflect all levels of spiritual development but hopefully everyone is committed to Jesus Christ and His teaching.

Basic Views

We believe in the eternal, living God, who Created life and all things (Genesis 1:1). We believe God is the source of all existence (Acts 17:24-28), and when man sinned, God created the means of reconciliation through a Savior, His Son, Jesus Christ.

Through the death of Christ and His resurrection, God made possible our atonement and it is only through the blood of Christ that our forgiveness is possible (Ephesians 1:7).

We believe in the inspiration of the scriptures and that the Bible is all sufficient to furnish all we need to know to reach spiritual perfection ( 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Conversion

We understand that salvation is the gift of God through His grace (Ephesians 2:8-10) and that in accepting that gift, we obey God out of love for Him and His Son. Our obedience does not "earn" our salvation nor "obligate" God and Christ, but our response in obedience demonstrates our love for God and shows our appreciation for what He has done in our salvation.

When a person recognizes evil in their lives and wants God's forgiveness, they redirect their lives. There is a sorrow for sin that is felt that leads to repentance. Repentance is the decision to turn life around and live differently. Repentance is a command (Luke 13:3) and therefor a requirement for conversion.

Confession of one's faith in Christ as the Savior is done to publicly acknowledge sorrow for sin, and acceptance of Christ as the Son of God. Confession of faith is also a command (Matthew 10:32,33; Acts 8:36,37; Romans 10:9), and therefore a requirement for conversion.

When a person believes, repents and confesses Jesus Christ, imeersion occurs in order to be born again (John 3:5). If there is no faith or repentance, baptism is a meaningless act. In immersion, a person is buried with Christ in His death (Romans 6:3-9). It is only after death (repentance) and burial (baptism) that a person is raised to walk in a newness of life (conversion). The order in the New Testament is always: Death, followed by a Burial, followed by a Resurrection. A person cannot be resurrected to a new life until death (repentance) and burial (baptism) take place. When a person is baptized into Christ, that individual is added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:47).

We do not baptize infants, because an infant cannot believe or confess, and therefore baptism is not the choice of the infant. Infant baptism is not the choice of an individual to redirect their life, but rather the choice of the parents. An infant needs no forgiveness. (See Mark 10:13-16.)

Our Worship

Our singing is a cappella which means we do not use mechanical instruments of music in worship. The early New Testament church sang without mechanical instruments. In fact, mechanical instruments of music were not introduced into the worship of the church until several centuries following the church's establishment. As we strive to follow the New Testament pattern for worship, we understand that a Christian does not "observe" worship as a "spectator" but is personally involved. All are commanded to sing. (See Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16.)

Communion is observed each week as we follow the example of the early Christians (Acts 20:7). Communion is not a religious "rite" or "church ordinance" but an act of worship that demands concentration, awareness, and gratitude (1 Corinthians 11:23-30). Observing the memorial feast is an individual act and must be done in a worthy manner.

Men in the congregation lead the assembly in public prayers (1 Timothy 2:8). A sermon from God's word is presented and following the lesson an invitation is offered to provide an opportunity to anyone who wants to respond to Christ. We understand that a person can obey the Gospel at any time and does not have to wait for an assembly of the congregation to be obedient to the Gospel plan of salvation.

Leadership Structure

Following the New Testament example, the Skyview congregation is organized with elders and deacons. Our elders provide shepherding guidance and congregational oversight. We follow the New Testament example of involving the congregation in decision making. the four men who serv e as elders are in this role by the choice and selection of the congregation. The seven men who serve as deacons work in specific areas of service and were also selected and chosen by the congregation. Both elders and deacons meet the qualities and scriptural character stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. All men are encouraged to aspire to become elders and deacons.

Personal Expectations

Every member should grow and develop spiritually (2 Peter 1:5-11). The common goal of all Christians is spiritual maturity in Christ. We all try to grow in:

Our personal faith in God and Christ

Our personal dedication to God's will and purposes

Our personal growth in a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

Our worship

Our involvement in congregation work and activities

Our development of godliness in our family relationships, in our life relationships, and in our moral and ethical behavior.

If you would like more information or further explanation about our worship we would welcome the opportunity to study the Bible with you and share Christ with you. You can write to us at: PO Box 3118, Pinellas Park, Florida 33780 or we will be happy to respond by e-mail.