What is The Church?

The Church is more than just a building or an organization. It’s a family – a spiritual family that consists of all those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible calls the Church “the bride of Christ” and says that we are His body here on earth. As members of the Church, we are called to love and serve one another, and to share the gospel with the world.

Check out churches in Texas and find a church in your city! Other cities we serve: Amarillo | Pampa | Wellington | Decatur | Lubbock

Find a Church in Paradise, Texas

There are many churches in Paradise to choose from, such as the Churches of Christ, the Assembly of God Churches, and non-denominational Churches. Churches vary in size, doctrine, and style. There is a church for everyone! Find a church near Paradise, Texas, and get plugged in today!

Who is Jesus?

Jesus is the savior of the world – sent from God to die for our sins and to conquer death itself. Christ, who was fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life and then died on the cross as payment for humanity’s sins (John 3:16). Three days after His death, He rose again, conquering death and hell for us once and for all. He now rules as Lord of all! If you haven’t placed your faith in Jesus yet, we invite you to do so today. We would love to talk with you more about this.

What is the Church?

Jesus established His church while He was on earth. He selected 12 special men, who were later known as the apostles, to lead and guide the early church (Matthew 10:1-4). After Jesus ascended into heaven, however, many of Jesus’ followers did not agree on who should lead the church. As a result, they divided into different groups and factions, each with its leaders (Acts 15:36-41). Today there are thousands of Christian Churches throughout the world. While we have some differences in our beliefs, we hold to several basic truths that unite us as Christians.

What is a Disciple of Jesus Christ?

To be a disciple means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus tells His followers to make disciples – teaching others about Him and helping them grow in their faith. Disciples live their life for Jesus’ glory and trust that he will use every aspect of their lives for good.

Discipleship is not an easy thing to do on your own. That’s why Jesus established The Church. Churches give us community and connection to other believers who can help us in our spiritual journey and encourage us along the way. “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25). Churches also help us to grow as disciples by teaching us God’s Word and encouraging us to pray, read the Bible, and worship together.

Baptism

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, we are baptized – immersed into water, signifying our death to sin and new life found in Christ (Romans 6:3-5). Churches practice baptism as an outward symbol of our inward acceptance of Christ. Churches that baptize use different methods or modes for the actual immersion, such as dunking (submersion), and pouring (or sprinkling) water over the head. Churches also vary on whether they believe baptism is something we must repeat periodically throughout our lives or something that is done only once. Either way, Churches baptize to show the world that we follow Christ.

Prayer

Our Christian faith is rooted in prayer. Jesus told His followers to pray without ceasing (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means more than just saying prayers on Sunday morning – it means talking to God throughout the day and living in a way that pleases Him. Churches offer many opportunities for prayer, such as group prayers or one-on-one time with pastors and leaders. Churches also encourage their members to pray together and on their own.

The Bible

Jesus says in John 15:7, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” Churches that believe God has inspired His Word (the Bible) to be read, believed, studied, lived out, and obeyed. They view the Bible as an important tool for showing people who God is so they can place their faith in Him. Churches encourage their members to read the Bible on their own, but also offer many opportunities for people to come together to study God’s Word.

There are 66 books in the Bible. Churches that share a high view of the Bible use certain versions as their primary Bibles, such as the King James Version (KJV) and the New Living Translation (NLT). Churches also believe in studying other books and commentaries to better understand God’s Word.

Evangelism

The Gospel is the story of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension – the good news that He died on the cross for our sins and rose again three days later (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Churches that believe strongly in sharing the Gospel with others encourage their members to share their faith not only with family and friends but also with strangers. Churches offer many opportunities for evangelism, such as by hosting events or partnering with local organizations or neighborhood associations.

The Gospel: The Good News of Salvation

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again three days later. This is incredible news! It means that we can be forgiven and have eternal life, no matter what we’ve done or who we are. Jesus paid the price for our sins, and all we need to do is believe in Him and receive Him into our lives. When we do this, we become children of God and are adopted into his family (John 1:12). We are also given the Holy Spirit, who helps us to live a life that pleases God. What could be better than this? Churches that believe strongly in the Gospel teach it to their members and encourage them to share it with others. Churches in Paradise also offer many opportunities for evangelism, such as by hosting events or partnering with local organizations or neighborhood associations.

Holiness

The Bible tells us that a person is made holy through Jesus Christ – they are being transformed from the inside out into a person that God can use because of their relationship with Him. Churches believe it is important for people to continue in the process of being transformed by God’s Spirit so they can become more like Christ and their lives can be characterized by obedience, fruitfulness, and goodness (Galatians 5:16-24). Churches encourage their members to seek ways to be holy every day, such as by participating in small group gatherings or serving others. Churches also offer many opportunities for their members to grow in holiness, such as through reading devotionals, joining Bible studies/book clubs, attending conferences and retreats, etc.