Short Articles, Bible Lessons and Devos Intended to Edify and Encourage Others
Contact Us
Here at Dale Ridge you will find a loving, committed group of believers doing our best to follow in the footprints of Jesus Christ. We strive to deeply develop our relationship with God through study, fellowship, and service.
We love our visitors and hope you find your experience uplifting and focused on the sincere worship of God!
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We know that visiting a church can be a little intimidating.
However, you will find individuals much like yourself, imperfect people worshiping a perfect God.
Service Times: Sunday Bible Study 9:30am
Sunday Worship 10:30
Wednesday Bible Study 6:00pm
Address
Visit us:
7165 Cloverdale Rd NW
Roanoke, VA 24019
Be sure to spend some time in our large and welcoming foyer where the atmosphere and conversations are inviting to all who enter. Numerous tracts (condensed pamphlets) are displayed dealing with various Bible subjects and are available free of charge.
What do Sunday Mornings Look Like?
Our Bible Classes and Worship Services are both an hour long. We understand how timeliness is important in this busy society. We believe the Bible is inspired by God, our creator.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. Thus we follow it in precept and principal. Only in this way can we truly glorify God.
2 Timothy 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. We accept no doctrines of men, no creed book but the Bible, no earthly headquarters, because we take our instruction directly from the Bible. Believing that the New Testament is our only guideline for life today. Jesus said He would build His Church in Matthew 16:18-19 "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Peter went on to preach the first sermon on Pentecost Sunday in Acts 2: and 3000 people were added to the Church, thus were saved that day." Acts 2:47
We believe in patterning the church after that which we have instructions and examples given in the Bible. We realize that the silence of God is just as powerful as when He speaks. Here is an example:
The most obvious and unique thing you will notice in our worship is the total absence of instruments accompanying our singing in worship. Our music style is best described as "Acapella". Meaning "singing without the accompaniment of instruments." Historian can document the 1st Century Church did not us instruments of music in worship. Of all the information, examples and commands given us in the New Testament, there is absolutely NO mention of instruments of music being used in the early Church when worshipping God. To further our understanding of this subject the following is given for your consideration.
In the Old Testament God meticulously planned out and described every detail of where and how He wanted to be worshipped. This is taught throughout the first five books of the Old Testament. The penalty for not following these guidelines was death. (Leviticus 10:1-7)
In the New Testament God remains meticulous about how He wants to be worshipped. The Bible provides examples and commands for five elements of public worship, which are authorized by specific scriptures: Teaching/Preaching 1 Corinthians 4:17; Singing: Ephesians 5:19, Prayer: Acts 12:5, Taking a collection: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Partaking of the Lords Supper: Acts 20:7. Some of these basic elements are carried over from the Old Testament to the New Testament with the addition of communion. Previously, in the Old Testament instruments of music accompanied their singing. Without exception however, every example describing singing in New Testament Worship, only Acapella music is mentioned. Matt 26:30 After Jesus and His Disciples finished what we know as the "last Supper" they "sung" a hymn.
Taking into account how God meticulously itemized everything about worship in the Old Testament, even with the inclusion of instruments it is abundantly clear that God did not authorize their use in New Testament worship. His silence speaks great volumes.
Please don't misunderstand our motive, we love music. Many of our members enjoy playing instruments. However, we do not use instruments in worship to God. God has given us vocal cords for worshipping Him from the heart.
What is Communion?
Communion is for believers.
During Communion a plate of unleavened bread/crackers and a small cup of juice (typically grape) are passed, in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. The unleavened bread represents the body of Jesus that was sacrificed on the cross. The fruit of the vine represents the blood that was shed by Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. This remembrance of Jesus was instituted by Jesus himself in the upper room the night before His crucifixion. This is why sometimes it is referred to as the Lords Supper. The early church kept this communion celebration and remembrance every Sunday. Following their example, we, too partake in partaking of the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine each Sunday which is the day that Jesus arose from the grave. Acts 20:7 The disciples gathered together upon the first day of the week to break bread. 1 Cor 16:2 When you come together upon the first day of the week take up a collection.
What Kind of Church is Dale Ridge Church of Christ?
Dale Ridge is an independent, nondenominational church.
The Dale Ridge Church is a group of dedicated believers applying the principles of Jesus Christ in the 21st Century. A group of people who admits our having not ARRIVED completely yet in our Spiritual journey of Biblical knowledge. We are still SEEKING to know Christ better each day. To have that SPECIAL relationship that's bound together with a love for truth. You Are Encouraged To Come Join Us In This Journey.
We strive to make growing disciples of Jesus Christ by being a church that loves God, loves others, and serves both.
Churches of Christ, like many religious bodies today carry the name of its founder. From Matthew 16:18 we conclude and God establishes the "founder" to be Jesus, who said He would build (future tense) HIS Church (Possessive Pronoun) upon the foundation of what Peter confessed. (That Jesus Christ is the Son of God) Jesus, in Matthew Chapter 16 goes on to say, speaking directly to Peter "and I will give you the keys to the kingdom". Notice: Church & Kingdom are used as meaning the same. We find Jesus' prophecy fulfilled on Pentecost Sunday in Acts Chapter 2 where the focused speaker is, of course, Peter, just as Jesus predicted. Peter, hypothetically used the "keys" (words guided by the Holy Spirit) that would reveal (open the door)of the Church that Jesus built. There were 3000 listeners who were convinced by Peters preaching that they had, in fact crucified the Son of God and were willing to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins. Acts 2:38. As Peter and the other disciples continued to preach the good news "that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins, was buried and resurrected on the third day. This is later described as the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" in 1 Cor 15. There were others who were also willing to repent and be baptized according in Acts Chapter 2:47, these individuals were added to the same Church as the previous 3000 on Pentecost. Note: We see here that only Jesus adds the obedient to His Church. (not voted in, not join, not inherited by way of family relationships.)
The entire New Testament is devoted to the establishing this "one Church" in Jerusalem, all of Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Matthew 1:8. In Romans 16:16 we are referred to individually and as a group as the "Churches of Christ". Unlike most religious organizations, we have no earthly headquarters which governs all their respective congregations. Our headquarters are in Heaven, and we receive our Spiritual leadership from the Word of God.
Want to sample our "Back to the Bible Lesson Series? This is a sample of Lesson One in the 3 lesson Evangelistic Bible Study "Back to the Bible". Via House to House Heart to Heart. Check out how easy it is to learn about the Authority of the Bible.
Read each scripture carefully, then fill in the blank.
Our Authority In Religion
John 8:82 Jesus says the ________________________________________will make you free.
John 4:24 Jesus tells us we must worship God in spirit and in ______________.
John 17:17 What is truth? _______________________________________________.
John 14:23-24 The teaching of Jesus was from_______________________________
Hebrews 1:1-2 Today God speaks to us through______________________________
John 3:35 God has given ________________________things into the hands of Jesus.
Matthew 28:18 Jesus has all ________________________in heaven and earth.
John 17:2 Jesus has authority over____________________.
Ephesians 1:20-23 God has made Jesus to be head over all things to the ____________.
Does this mean Jesus has all authority over the church?___________.
John 12:48 At Judgement we will be judged by the words of _______________________.
John 6:68 Who has the words of eternal life?_______________________________________.
Should we go to anyone else (parents, preachers, relatives or friends) for eternal life.
Please let us know if this lesson # 1 was helpful to you.
If you would like to follow up with Lesson #2 an #3 we will be happy to assist you in doing so. We have appointment times in the daytime or evenings. Please contact Rob Kinney, Email: comeback2thebible@gmail.com
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love
* God: There is one God Who exists in three distinct persons as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father loved his creation and sent his Son-- Jesus Christ to be the savior of the world. Jesus was God in the flesh and offers salvation to humanity through His death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit is God's Spirit who lives inside every believer to guide, empower and sanctify them: (Gen 1; John 3:16; 1 Cor 15:3-8; Heb 1:1-3; John 14-16. Acts 2:38
* Scripture: The Bible is God's inspired Word. It was written by human authors who were guided by the Holy Spirit, and it reveals God's will, character, and purpose for creation (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
*Salvation: Because of sin and our separation from God, we need a perfect sacrifice who can make peace on our behalf. Through Jesus'; death on the cross and resurrection from the dead we can receive God's free gift of salvation. We are saved by grace through faith that expresses itself in repentance, confession, and baptism: Eph 2:8-10; Acts 2:38; * Romans 6:1-4; Rom 10:9-10.
The Church: (Singular with many locations) The people of God are called to be His representatives to the world. Jesus is the head of the Church and we are the body of Christ all are led to love God, our neighbor, and the world. Through the Church, people experience God's Kingdom/Church and His will on earth as it is in heaven. Eph 2:19-22; Eph 4:11-15; 1 Cor 12:12-27; 2 Cor 5-17-21.
* Eternity: We were created to live with God for eternity. When Jesus returns, those who are in Christ will be with God in Heaven and those who are not in Christ will be separated from God in hell. Jesus will delivers the Kingdom/Church to God The Father. 1 Cor 15:24-28
Church: The people of God are called Christians (Acts 11:26) and are to be His representatives to the world. Jesus is the head of the Church, and we are the body of Christ called to love God, our neighbor and the world. Through the Church, people experience God's Kingdom and His will on earth as it is in Heaven. Ephesians 2:19-22; Eph 4:11-15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 2 Corinthians12:12-27; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
Breaking News!!!
Leading scholars have found one thing God has left completely out of the Bible. It's
"Our Opinion"
Don't be mis-lead by following someones Opinion, check out Gods Word.
A Child's Glory
Concerning fathers Solomon says,
Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers.
- Proverbs 17:6
There was a special celebration of belonging to and coming forth from a man you could call your father in Solomon's day. Fathers took pride in children but the writer emphasizes that children also gloried in who their father was.
If a child's glory was his father, then a child without a father was missing his innate, inherent glory. This phenomenon can be seen today as so many boys and girls struggle with issue of identity and self-worth because they are denied the glory of their fathers through death or abandonment.
Without ownership of basic fatherly glory one seeks to create an image of glory from other sources and consequently becomes vulnerable to the false glory offered by the make-believe men and women of advertisers and Hollywood. Children with guns, children with drugs and alcohol, young people with cynical attitudes and a desire only for the pleasures of things are simply reflecting the false glory they have adopted because there is precious little fatherly glory in their lives.
Children need the glory of their fathers in order to learn their own sense of worth. Fathers need to pass on their glory so their sons and daughters can know not only who they are but that who they are is a glorious thing. Mike M.