The Refiner

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver", Malachi 3:3.
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver  over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the  impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot;  then she thought again about the verse that says: ‘He sits as  a refiner and purifier of silver.’ She asked the silversmith, if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the  silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy – when I see my image in it.”

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
                                                                                                                  ~ Courtesy The Orange Banner, Orange TX

The New  Covenant / Testament

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. His coming, His mission and His message were all foretold in the Old Testament, which was used by God to govern the Israelite Nation until the Christ should come and establish the New Covenant, which is for all mankind. Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 53, Zechariah 6:13, Jeremiah 31: 31-33. We use the Old Testament as a schoolmaster, which was meant by God to bring us to Christ, and from which we learn many valuable lessons about how God related to His chosen people and the Nations surrounding them, Galatians 4: 23-24.

The New Testament is the word of Christ. It reveals the teachings of Christ, Hebrews 9: 15-17. By studying the New Testament we become aware that the followers of Christ in the first century used only Christ’s teachings, not adding to it or detracting from it. Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:6, Galatians 1:8, Revelation 22:18-19

Those hearing the word turned to God through Christ and were baptized by immersion, in order to be forgiven of their sins. They were then added to the Lord’s church by the Lord. Acts 2: 36-47

The Spread of the Good News in the First Century
In a few short years the Gospsel message spread first in Jerusalem, then Judaea and then Samaria just as Jesus commanded, Acts 1:8. As the Gospel spread, those who obeyed met together in groups or congregations in various locations. Within a very few years the Gospel was known throughout the world. Colossians 1:6, 23

The only headquarters recognized by the early churches of Christ was in heaven where the Head of the church, Jesus Christ,  is seated at the right hand of God, His Father. It is the same in the churches of Christ today, our Head is in heaven with the Father where He mediates for us, " For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." 1Timothy 2:5. We are not ruled by any group of men, synods, or commitees or any man made office. Ephesians 1: 22-23, Mark 16:19

Christians Only
The disciples were known only as Christians. They wore no sectarian name, only the simple name of Christian. Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16.They sought only to serve God with contrite obedience, 1 Samuel 15:22, John 14:6, 5. The assemblies of the early church were not social or recreational. They offered the Gospel to a troubled world for it was and is God’s power to save. Romans 1:16

The Plain Gospel Leads to Heaven
If you desire the simplicity, peace and assurance of what Christ authorized and, which was practiced by the first century church, it is available.

Clear and simple worship to God as practiced by the early church over 2000 years ago is as Christ planned when He established His church, Matthew 16:13-19. Christ’s teachings are offered today through the churches of Christ. No pomp or pageantry. No man made rules or laws. Just the simple, true pattern of obedience and worship practiced and approved by the Apostles, and authorized by Christ.

God’s Plan for Salvation
1.   Hear the word of God, from the word we gain faith - Romans 10:17
2.   Believe the Word - Hebrews 11:6
3.   Confess Jesus as Lord - Romans 9:10
4.   Repent of sin, turn to God -  Romans 3:23, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38,
5.   Be baptized - Acts 2:38, Mark 16: 15-16, Acts 22:16,1 Peter 3:21 
6.   Live steadfast and faithful lives in Christ Jesus - 1 Corinthians 15:58, Acts 2:41-42

"Wherefore come out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing,
and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you,
and ye shall be my sons and daughters,
saieth the Lord Almighty."
                                                                             2 Corinthians 6: 17-18

The church of Christ in Fortuna, California
The church of Christ in Fortuna, is dedicated to serving the Lord Jesus Christ as directed in the New Testament. We study the scriptures daily as a check and balance for the things we do trying sincerely to emulate the New Testament pattern established by our Lord Jesus Christ and practiced by the early church. Our worship activities embrace those patterns established and approved by the Apostles of Jesus Christ in the first century church. They consist of:

1. Assembly of all members on the first day (Sunday) of every week. Hebrews 10:25

2. Celebrating the Lord’s death by the serving of the Lord’s Supper, HIs memoriable, every Lord’s Day as commanded by Jesus. Acts  20:7

3. A cappella singing of psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Colossians 3:16,  Ephesians 5:19

4. Reading scripture and prayer offerings. Acts 2:42, 2Timothy 3:16-17. 

5. Giving of our means as we are prospered for the preaching of the Gospel and the care of the needy brethren. Only members of the local congregation are commanded to give. We do not solicit funds from our guests and visitors. The financial support of the local work is the responsibility of members only.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

6. Preaching and edification on portions of God’s Word are part of our weekly assemblies.
2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Timothy 3:15

7. Mid-week bible studies provide a more informal study of God’s word. Adult and children’s classes are available. Ephesians 4:11-15

8. Each church of Christ is autonomous with the Lord Jesus only as our head and heaven as our headquarters. Mark 16:19, Ephesians 1:22-23