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A message from your PASTOR
THE CHURCH
The church is a divine and unique institution that is here to stay as long as God allows this old world to stand. Despite all the complaints, criticisms, the abuse and neglect, the future of the church is guaranteed! Someone said, “Though the church has many critics, it has no rival.” Jesus called it “my church” and promised that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. (Matthew 16:18)
ONE OF THE CHURCH’S PROBLEMS IS
that it includes people like you and me. Though its origin is divine, it is made up of sinners saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. The church is not a hot house operating under controlled conditions in an ideal atmosphere. Nor is it a “perfect people exhibition.” Rather, it is a fellowship of twice-born sinners seeking to conform to the image of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:29)
WHAT IS A CHURCH?
When most people hear the word church they immediately think of a church building. That isn’t what the Bible teaches.
ACTUALLY THE WORD CHURCH IS USED TWO WAYS IN SCRIPTURE.
First, church in its broad sense refers to all believers in Christ. It is referred to as the Church universal or invisible, the Body of Christ. Secondly, church applies to a local gathering of baptized believers such as “the church of God which is at Corinth.” This geographically indentifies a group of Christians. At conversion, all believers in Jesus Christ become a part of the Body of Christ. But we become part of a local church only by exercising our individual choice.
AT PENTECOST THREE THOUSAND NEW CONVERTS WERE ADDED
to the initial 120 believers referred to in Acts 1:15. Later we see the local church in Antioch sending out Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3). Also, the Apostle John received seven messages from the Lord directed to seven local churches.
EVERY BELIEVER NEEDS THE FELLOWSHIP, WARMTH AND TENDER CARE OF A
local church. You need the church and the church needs you. In good and bad times, glad and sad times, eveiy believer needs the church.
WHEN MEN AND WOMEN TRULY UNDERSTAND THE CHURCH’S ORIGIN AND
PURPOSE they can sing from the heart John Fawcett’s famous chorus: “Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds, Is like to that above.”
OH, MY BELOVED PEOPLE,
love your church. Keep close to your church!

SS ATTENDANCE (6-11-06) 116
Tithes/Gifts 6-1 1-06
Weekly Need
Designated
Roof Fund
$4,277
$7,277
$ 95
$20,782
Mini Concert by
BRIDGES
June 25, 2006 6:00 PM
First Baptist Church LaFollette
VISITATION
Each Tuesday
6:30 PM
Meet at our church!
Ordination Service for
• Jerry Gray
July 2, 2006
2:30PM
Woodlake Baptist Church
The Messenger
First Baptist Church
255 West Central Avenue
LaFollette, TN 37766
The Messenger is a weekly publication of Plrst Baptist Church
255 W. Central Ave., la?oilelle, 171 37766
I.
VBS
PRESENTATJQN
SUNDAY, JUNE 18 6:00 PM
YOUTH TO
M—FUGE!
CHARLESTON, SC JUNE 24-30
PRAY IOR EACH ONE GOING