Dear Friends,
We are the church of Christ because that is a designation approved of by the New Testament (Romans 16:16). Our purpose is to glorify God through faithfulness to His word, the Bible. In our public worship we follow the example of those Christians we read about in the Bible.
Christians of the New Testament assembled for worship every first day of the week, Sunday (Acts 20:7). During this time of worship they participated in a combination of singing (Colossians 3:16), praying (Philippians 4:6), preaching of God's word (2 Corinthians 4:5), partaking of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), and giving of their financial means (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
During our assemblies we never solicit contributions from our visitors. We believe the Bible teaches that the giving of our money is a work and privilege of the members of each congregation. Our genuine desire is to help fulfill the spiritual needs of our visitors.
Our standard of religious authority is the Bible. We believe that it is the inspired word of God. Therefore, we accept it completely, not taking the liberty to pick the parts that seem most relevant to our individual needs. This can be a great challenge but Christians striving together with the help of God can succeed.
If you have a question about the Bible or your relationship to Christ, you can call me directly at the phone number listed above or you can email me.
Sincerely,  Stan Roadman
Antioch church of Christ
616 W. Tregallas Road, Antioch, CA 94509  1.925.757.7405




We meet together to worship God, study from His word, sing songs of praise and help each other along the Way.


Sunday 9:30AM...........Bible study
Sunday 10:30AM.........Morning Worship
Sunday 6PM................Evening Worship
Wednesday 7PM........Mid-week Bible study
*Classes for all ages!

RELIGION OR TRUTH

For many, the idea of religion is distasteful. The view of many believers and unbelievers alike is that religion is nothing more than a system of rituals and ceremonies and strict rules practiced by tradition bound people. It is perceived that such a system is devoid of sincerity and a personal connection with the One to whom they supposedly direct their worship. In some cases this assessment may be absolutely correct.  However, the kind of religion which God desires is “pure and undefiled” (James 1:27). This religion is not limited to what one does in a church building or other place of worship but it is an everyday, external expression of the fellowship one has with God.

Religion and true worship are not mutually exclusive. However, it is equally important to understand that religion and true worship are not necessarily the same thing.

Our purpose is to examine ourselves in the light of God's word and see if our relationship with him is based on superficial ceremonialism or a genuine desire to live and worship by his revealed truth.

Some think that because they have religion they also have truth. However, religion and truth are not the same thing. In Acts 17:22-23, Luke writes "And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, 'Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD." What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.'" We notice that while these people were religious they were worshipping in ignorance.

In 2 Timothy 3:5, Paul writes “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.” There were those who appeared to be godlily (religious) but had denied its power.

Jesus had to confront his opponents about the difference between religion and truth. In Matthew 15:3-9, Matthew writes "And He answered and said to them, 'And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, "Honor your father and mother" and "He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death." But you say, "Whoever shall say to his father or mother 'Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given to God,' he is not to honor his father or his mother." And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me.' But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'" Again, while these people were very religious they disregarded the truth from God

What is truth?
Psalms 119:160 states “The sum of Thy word is truth, And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.” When you add up all that God has said on any subject you have the truth on that subject.

John 17:17 writes “Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.” Sanctify means to set apart; distinguish. It was the truth that distinguished the Lord’s apostles from the false teachers.

In Ephesians 1:13 Paul writes, “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.” The message of truth is explained as the gospel (good news) of salvation

The origin of truth
Psalms 119:160 testifies to the origin of truth.

In John 12:49-50 Jesus states, “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.” It is possible to know the truth - God wants us to know the truth and He makes it possible for us to have it. In the book of John 8:31-32, the apostle writes “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’”










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Luke 1:1-4 affirms “In as much as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;  so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” This is the introduction to the gospel according to Luke. He is saying that if Theophilus will read this letter he can know the exact truth about Jesus.

John 20:30-31 attests “Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” There is enough evidence in the gospel of John to convince an honest person that Jesus is the Christ.

While we may need a more experienced person help in our Bible studies, we are not dependent upon the clergy to interpret the Bible for us. The God of Heaven wants us to know the truth of his will and he has made it understandable. Solomon states "Buy truth and sell it not." (Proverbs 23:23)

Religion is not a bad thing but the religion of the New Testament is a sincere, external expression of faith in the truth revealed in God's holy word. Does this describe your religion?

If you have questions or comments about this article please send an e-mail to preacher@churchofchristantioch.org

The Bible quotations are taken from the NASB.