The Leicester Church of Christ is a part of the “Restoration Movement.” Our goal is to “restore” the New Testament church in our time. We have been called “purist,” for we attempt to determine from the Bible what the church was like in the beginning, and to be like that original church as much as possible. We believe this is a worthy goal. Even so, we hold the Bible as our guide in religious matters.
We are a place of prayer, peace and joy to all who join us.
Our community is richly diverse, with people of different ages and backgrounds coming together to worship and serve together.
We welcome all individuals seeking God’s love and our doors are open to every soul seeking to know more about Jesus.
One will hear of a number of way for admission to the many denominations and other religious organizations today. Still many others have no plan for admission, but admit members on the basis of having complied with God’s expectation of them in some previous organization. It is possible and understandable for those denominations to do what they wish, as they are human organizations. However, in the church that belongs to Christ, we believe it is absolutely necessary to follow the Bible as the only guide to church membership.
The Bible describes admission to church membership as a “new birth” (John 3:1-21). Just like physical birth produces a new offspring, so too, does the spiritual birth. “The Word of God is the seed of the kingdom” (Luke 8:11). The Word is planted in the human heart (Luke 8:12). When the Word is believed, it grows in man’s heart. Luke 8:11-15 describes the influences that prohibit the word for taking hold in the human heart.
Therefore we believe the Bible teaches that to be saved, one must know the following:
No one can be born again until he or she hears (or reads) the Word of God and obeys it (Acts 15:7).
They must next, believe what they have heard (Romans 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11). The message of the gospel will convict a person of their sins if they believe it.
This state of belief causes the believer to repent of their sins. Recognising that sins are transgressions of God’s laws (1 John 3:4). “All have sinned…” (Romans 3:23). Repentance is therefore a deliberate change of allegiance (a turning away) from Satan and self, and a desire to turn towards God.
Once a person repents, he or she must publicly confess faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32, Romans 10:9-10).
That confession of faith in Christ leads one to the final step for being born again, baptism (Acts 8:12, 36-39, Mark 16:15-16). Baptism is a burial in water (Romans 6:1-5, Colossians 2:12). The person is brought forth up out of the water, having been buried just as Christ was on that person’s behalf. He or she is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27), and becomes “a new creature” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), hence, the new birth!
Every person who comes to Christ must take the same route since God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).
If you have visited another Church of Christ, you may have noticed some variations from this description, because every Church of Christ is autonomous (self-ruled, independent). We are not a denomination or organized religious group. We are members of the Lord’s church, and believe that there are five distinctive acts of worship in the New Testament.
Singing – One of the unique things about the Churches of Christ is that music is “a cappella”. That is, we sing without the accompaniment of musical instruments. We do not find use of any musical instruments in the New Testament after Christ was given authority for the church (Matt. 16:18; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). We are seeking to worship according to the New Testament pattern. Since the New Testament leaves instrumental music out, we believe it best to exclude it also (1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12).
Praying – Spoken prayers are part of our gatherings. We believe in the power of prayer (1 Thess. 5:19).
Preaching – Who preaches is not as important as what is preached. Our preacher does not have a title. He won’t be referred to as Pastor or Reverend. His name is Paul Hill. But just call him Brother Paul, for that is what he prefers. He won’t be wearing any special garments to set him apart. He is one of us. The reason for this is our belief that all are equal (Matt 23:8-12; Gal. 3:26-28 & 1 Pet 2:5, 9).
Lord’s Supper – If you visit of Sunday morning, the Lord’s Supper will be included in the worship proceedings. Again, for this reason for this is our desire to follow New Testament teaching. The first century church celebrated this observance of the first day of the week, each and every week (Acts 20:7). We know from respected historians (Neander; Eusabius), that in the early century the Lord’s Supper was commemorated every Sunday. During this memorial, plates containing pieces of unleavened bread will be passed throughout the congregation. The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus (1 Cor. 11:23-25). The New Testament teaches that only those in the Kingdom of God; Christians (members of the Lord’s church) are to partake of this (1 Cor. 10:16-17), by breaking off a piece of the bread and eating it. Next, the trays with small cups will be distributed. The cups contain the “fruit of the vine,” which is grape juice, symbolizing the blood of Jesus (1 Cor. 11:23-25). Each participant will drink the contents of one cup. If you chose not to participate, don’t be embarrassed. Feel free to pass the plate or tray to the person next to you. This Supper is the original way of remembering the sacrifices Jesus has made on behalf of those who have made Jesus Lord & Christ, as the scriptures tell us (Rom. 10:17; Heb 11:6; Lk. 13:1-5; Matt 10:32-33; Matt 28:18-20).
Offering/Collection – How many times will you be asked for money? None, however bags will be passed to collect the weekly financial offering (1 Cor 16:1, 2). As our guest, you are not expected to donate. Feel perfectly comfortable in just passing the collection bag down the row.
For information on how to become a Christian please watch the video below by our minister Paul Hill.
Please contact us with any questions, or to study the Bible further.
We would love to sit down with you!