The Church on 56 invites you to attend any of our services. We are common folks using common sense and a common doctrine to achieve a common goal… SALVATION FOUND ONLY IN CHRIST JESUS!
What does church mean to you? Jonah understood even before there was church (Jonah 2:9) “Salvation comes from the Lord.”
And that’s what church is about… God’s salvation. The church was planned before the creation of all things. We encourage you to read (1 Peter 1). This is a letter written by Peter to Christians, and in this one chapter, he tells a lot about the church from before it’s origin to the time it will be taken to heaven when Jesus returns. He tells of eternity with a brief pause that is time on this earth. For us, that time is now! Of course, there is a lot more in the Bible than this one chapter. The rest of the Scripture flushes out the details of this outline written by Peter.
Jonah and Peter were among the common folks of their day, but God called them and used them for His glory. The story of Jonah became a symbol of the Gospel story that was yet to come. (Matthew 12:38-41) When asked for a sign, Jesus gave the sign of Jonah and compared it to Himself as He explained the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection. That is literally the Gospel message, the Good News for us; because when we obey the Gospel message through our own death, burial, and resurrection ⁰we can become just like Jesus in God’s eyes.
Hopefully, you took a little time to read chapter one of Peter’s first letter, as we mentioned before. As he writes, we can see the importance he places on our salvation…yes, OUR salvation! It was a long time ago that he wrote this, but he was writing to Christians, and being a Christian then was the same as being a Christian now. That’s the beauty of God’s word… It never changes. People try to change it by inserting and promoting their opinions; but His word remains the same. It is always true, always relevant, and always about Jesus. It was written by one Being through various men as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). Peter tells us that it was not men who wrote their own interpretation of things, rather men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. That is why the Bible is our only standard as we strive to be the Church that Jesus established.
Peter was among the common folks as a fisherman; but Jesus called him to become a fisher of people (Matthew 4:18-19). As one of the apostles that Jesus chose, he learned and came to understand that fishing for people was about their salvation. Peter became a great man for the Lord, even though he is described as being common folk. (Acts 4:8-13) says he and John (both fishermen) were unschooled and ordinary, and those who heard them were astonished as Peter spoke with courage and conviction about God’s salvation that can only come through Jesus. In fact, that was their distinguishing mark as those who heard him took note that these men had been with Jesus. There’s a lot more to tell about Peter’s story, and there’s a lot more to tell about the story of Jesus. We hope that you will come along with us to hear it and learn it together… ordinary folks with an extraordinary message from Peter. (2 Peter 3:9) God is patient with us and He wants everyone to know and receive salvation through Jesus!!
Our Story
We are a small church family meeting out on the western edge of town on State Route 56. At this time we are searching for a minister to come along side us as we start a new work for the Lord in Athens. In the meantime, the Word of God is preached every Sunday. Our pattern and doctrine can only be found in the Bible, God’s holy word. We strive to be the church that Jesus built, using people as living stones (1 Peter 2:4-10), and to be like Jesus as we pattern ourselves after Him. Many denominations wear the name “church” while also wearing the name of a man. Although their teachings include some of the scripture, opinions are inserted (2 Peter 2:1-3) and words are twisted (Psalm 56:5) until the truth is unrecognizable (Galatians 1:6-9).
As we follow only Jesus, the truth of God’s Word, we invite you to COME…
… LEARN WITH US:
- Why faith alone cannot save you
- Why grace is never alone
- Why baptism is not work that you do
- Why the Bible tells about one church
- Why saying the “sinner’s prayer” can never bring you to God’s grace and salvation
… GROW WITH US:
- In faith and number (2 Peter 1:5-8)
- As the Lord adds to the church (Acts 2:42)
- In the grace and knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 3:18)
- As we study and rightly handle the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15-16)
- Until we all reach… the full measure of the stature of Christ (Eph 4:13)
… WORSHIP WITH US:
- God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)
- But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (John 4:23)
… FELLOWSHIP WITH US:
- We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)
- And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another— and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
It’s time for a new work to begin in Athens, a work that has already been planned, built, instructed, and supplied; a work that has a purpose and provides a reward when we are faithful to live it out here on earth, the work of the church. It’s time for a new beginning, not for the Church, but for this congregation.