The Eastern Downs Church of Christ officially launched in April 2008 though several families had been meeting together for several months prior. The congregation was started to share Christ and His love with people across the Darling Downs region of Southeast Queensland and to create a place for worship and service.
We believe the Bible is God's inspired Word and was given to man to show us how to obey God and how to live in this world. We believe that the Bible is completely accurate and reliable, was written under direct inspiration from God, and is authoritative for all Christians. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
There is one true God, the Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1), who eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; John 1:1,14; John 14:26; 1 Peter 1:2). Since God created everything (including man) He has the right to determine how man will relate to Him.
For a more detailed study on God the Father see Lesson 1 in Fundamentals of the Christian Faith.
Jesus is God's only begotten Son, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, voluntarily died on the cross for our sins, and was bodily raised from the dead. He ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father and acts as an intermediary on our behalf. One day Jesus will return to earth to reward those who have obeyed him and punish those who have rejected him. (Matthew 1:22, 23; John 1:1-18; Acts 2:22-41; Acts 10:37-43; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Ephesians 2:4-8; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-21; Hebrews 1:1-3).
Jesus the Son is discussed more in depth in Lesson 2 in Fundamentals of the Christian Faith.
The Holy Spirit inspired those men who penned the Bible so that the words of the Bible are true and accurate (2 Peter 1:21). All believers are given the gift of the Holy Spirit at conversion, and through the Holy Spirit's presence and power are enabled to attain spiritual maturity in Christ (Acts 2:38; John 14:16,17; John 16:7-13; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 29; Ephesians 3:16-20; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:11).
A study of the Holy Sprit is available in Fundamentals of the Christian Faith Lesson 3.
Man was created by God and is meant to bring honour and glory to God. Originally created for that purpose, humans rebelled against God and continue to do so, choosing to go their own independent way. This disobedience is called sin and sin separates a person from God.
For a more detailed study of the problem of sin see Lesson 1 in our Coming to Christ series.
A person can be forgiven of their sin by God and have their relationship to Jesus restored by:
For a more detailed study on Faith see Lesson 2 in our Coming to Christ series.
A study on Repentance is available in our Coming to Christ series Lesson 3.
Lesson 4 in our Coming to Christ series covers the topic of Confession.
The final lesson in our Coming to Christ Series is Lesson 5 and covers the topic of Baptism. Another study is available in the Fundamentals of the Christian Faith series Lesson 6.
It is the desire of God that every person enjoy fellowship with Him (2 Peter 3:9). He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to pay the price for our sin (John 3:16-17). He gives us the free-will to accept Him or reject Him.
The Bible teaches that every person will live forever after they die. Furthermore every person chooses their eternal destiny by their acceptance and obedience to Jesus or their rejection of Him.
Those who have accepted and obeyed Jesus will be resurrected to a new life in heaven (Revelation 20-22). Those who refuse to accept and obey Jesus will spend an eternity in Hell separated from God (Revelation 20:15).
It is the desire of God that every person enjoy fellowship with Him (2 Peter 3:9). He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to pay the price for our sin (John 3:16-17). He gives us the free-will to accept Him or reject Him.
The church is made up of all those who have obeyed the Gospel message (Acts 2:41). We do not serve God in isolation, but as Christians we form a unit known as the church.
The church belongs to Christ since it was purchased by his blood (Matthew 16:18) and He loves the church (Ephesians 5:25).
For a more detailed study on the church see Lesson 8 and Lesson 9 in the Fundamentals of the Christian Faith series.
As a church, each Sunday we gather to study the Bible, fellowship with one another, participate in the Lord's Supper, and pray.