The Lord’s church did not begin when Christians first came to Baton Rouge. The people of God have assembled in one form or another since creation. After death entered the world because of man’s sin, God offered humanity the hope of redemption. From before creation He had planned to call out a group of people to live distinctively and reflect the character of the One in whose image they were created (Genesis 1:27-28). In the Old Testament, He called out the nation of Israel. He led them out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into Canaan, but they forgot about Him. They chose to live like the nations around them. The Old Testament prophets then began to speak of a time when people of all nations would gather as a “called out” body to live distinctively as the people of God (Isaiah 2:2-25; Daniel 2:35).
In Acts 2 this promise was fulfilled and the Lord’s church was established on the first day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The church quickly grew as sinners repented and were baptized and added to the church daily (Acts 2:42-26). The Christians eventually began to be persecuted by various groups and were dispersed throughout the Mediterranean world. Through this “dispersion,” eventually the whole world heard the good news of Jesus Christ. Over time churches were established in various cities with local elderships and they too began seeking to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world.
Over time many in the church of the New Testament, like Israel before them, made a choice to live like those in the world around them and began following the example of men or nations, rather than following the Lord. By the nineteenth century, in America denominationalism had splintered the church into various sects built more on the opinions of men than the Word of God. The American Restoration Movement came out of this context and sought to go back to the Word of God to base faith and practice upon. Christians sought to be shaped by God’s Word and not the divisive creeds of men. It was in this spirit that second-generation leaders in the movement came to Baton Rouge in the 1840’s preaching a message that was intended to unite Christians upon the truth of God’s Word. We are seeking to be the church of God’s intent.
Those who are members of the Lord’s body who are faithful until death have been promised a great reward (Revelation 2:10). Not only do Christians share in the hope of heaven, but we also share in the joy of fellowshipping with the assembly of the saints (Revelation 3:12). Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God and to join Him in the splendor of heaven. Christ Jesus is the only way to heaven. We are not perfect, but we serve a perfect Lord and give Him the glory. Come visit us and study the Scriptures to learn more about what God intends for His people.