This article is written with great care, concern, and compassion for the souls who are looking for God’s people, the church that Christ built. Jesus oversaw the church that He built and bought with His blood (Matt 16:18; Acts 20:28). Where is the church that Christ built?
One may first identify the church of Christ by their love and unity. Jesus instructed his disciples that all people can identify His disciples by their love for one another is as Jesus loves His followers (John 13:34–35). Jesus prayed that the church become one (John 17:20–21). The churches of Christ strive to speak the same thing with no divisions and be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Cor 1:10). The churches of Christ strive diligently not to be a denomination since sectarian religious parties are a work of the flesh and those who do such will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (Gal 5:19–21).
The Church is God’s People as God’s House
The church is God’s people and God’s spiritual house (1 Pet 2:5). That is church is described as a house put together perfectly by Jesus Christ. Christ’s Spirit spoke through the apostle Paul to Timothy expressing, “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15).
God has a house that supports the Truth, the word of God (John 17:17). God’s House is often neglected as one can see when comparing Jesus’s church to many churches in the world today. God’s house is the church of the living God.
Jesus Built God’s House, the Church
The writer of Hebrews wrote about Jesus,
For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house […] but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. (Heb 3:3, 6)
Jesus is over God’s house. Christ said that He would build His Church as He called it “My church” (Matt. 16:18). Therefore, the church is the church of Christ that Jesus bought with His own blood (Acts 20:28).
The most expensive and greatest institution to ever be established is the church of Jesus Christ. Jesus purchased the house of God. He built the church with Himself as the cornerstone and His Apostles and prophets as the foundation. Christ’s Spirit spoke about the house of God in Ephesians 2:20, “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” Upon this foundation, Christ said through the Apostle Peter that each Christian is a stone built into the house of God (1 Pet 2:5).
Christ is over the house of God for He has bought with His blood. Therefore as Jesus said, He has all authority (Matt 28:18–20). Jesus designed and built His house. Jesus is sinless and infallible and so are His words (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 John 3:5; 1 Pet 2:22). Therefore, no one has the right to modify God’s House, the church, because Jesus built it. Jesus gave His words to His Apostles, so that we know how to conduct ourselves in the House of God (John 15:20; 17:8). Therefore, Christians can maintain today the church as Jesus built.
The Leadership of the Church that Christ Built
The apostle Paul wrote that Timothy and those who he taught would know how to conduct themselves in the House of God, the church of living God (1 Tim 3:15). Paul was speaking specifically about how God organized house was organized by each congregations being governed by qualified elders and served by qualified deacons (1 Tim. 3). Jesus built His Church to be pastured and overseen by an eldership in each congregation (Acts 20:28–30; 1 Pet 5:1–3). The apostle Paul and his associate Barnabas “appointed elders in every church” (Acts 14:23), and Paul instructed Titus to “set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you” (Titus 1:5).
Paul instructed the elders at Ephesus saying, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to pastor the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Elders are the only church pastors mentioned in the Bible. However, many churches today call their preachers and ministers “pastors” when they not meet the qualifications. Christ gave these pastoring elders a great responsibility to oversee the church. The apostle Peter wrote to church elders telling them to, “Shepherd [pastor] the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Pet 5:2–4).
These elders were to meet specific qualifications and by this they are made overseers by the Holy Spirit (1 Tim 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9). Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:2–7,
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
The apostle also wrote Titus giving qualifications,
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it (Titus 1:5–9)
Qualified elders are essential to the House of God. This is by Christ’s design. No one should change what God has put in order. Each person must consider if he or she is in God’s house and a part of His people.
The Church is God’s Temple for Worship
Jesus also built His House as His temple for worship (1 Cor 3:16–17; 2 Cor 6:16). The congregations that make up the House of God worship God whenever they can. However, they also worshiped when they gathered together for the assembly. In the New Testament, the whole congregation gathered together in what was called “the assembly” (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 14:23; Heb 10:25). They gathered at other times, but when they gathered for the assembly, they worshiped on the Lord’s Day by partaking of the Lord’s Supper along with prayers, teaching, singing, and giving to the collection. The assembly gathered to praise God and to edify the minds of the congregation, and to encourage one another for love and good works (1 Cor 14:6; Heb 2:12; 10:24). The writer of Hebrews urged and instructed saying, “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries” (Heb 10:24–27).
For the congregation edified one another in the assembly. Paul instructed the order of the assembly “that the church may receive edification” (1 Cor 14:6). For the assembly was to “be done decent and orderly” (1 Cor 14:40). Congregations gathered to worship, to encourage one another, and to be edified in knowledge. In assembly and all times, Christians are to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). The Jesus and His apostles commanded not to worship in vain by the traditions of men (Mark 7:5–13; Col 2:20–23).
In the Christian Scriptures, congregations gathered into the assembly to partake of the Lord’s Supper, a meal established by Jesus, and these Christians were to pray, sing, learn from teaching, and give to the collection (1 Cor 11:20–34; 14:15, 26; 16:1–2). Jesus built the Church, and the order of these things are perfect and complete as Christ established the church. Others have altered and modified these activities of the assembly adding to the church and taking them away from the House that Jesus built. Jesus revealed about the Lord’s Supper, “I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25). What right does a person have to change “the fruit of the vine” in the Lord’s Supper into anything else? Did not Christ make it correct the first time? What right does any person have to change the praise of “the fruit of the lips” into musical instruments and body percussion (Heb 13:15)? Christians keep the simply purity of what Christ made perfect.
The Scriptures also teach that the assembly was on the first day of the week, which is the day when Jesus rose from the dead, met with His disciples, sent His Spirit, and established the church. This is called the Lord’s Day (Luke 24:1ff, Acts 20:7, Rev. 1:10). Luke reported, “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7). This breaking of bread was the breaking of bread of Christ’s body as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:16. In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul instructed that the first day of the week was the day for storing up into the church’s collection (16:1–2). John referred to “the Lord’s Day” when Jesus was in the midst of the congregations (Rev 1:10). For when two or three are gathered in Jesus’s name, Jesus is in the midst of them. For this reason, congregations gathered as a whole on the first day every week (Heb 10:24–25).
Encouragement to Enter the Church that Christ Built
These are some essential characteristics of the House of God, and much which is lost among Christianity today. This minister writes this with great concern in heart to encourage everyone to turn the Christ and the church that He built. Many souls do not even know how to enter the House of God. When the church was established, God added the baptized who were saved to the church (Acts 2:41, 47).
Few know that there is only one baptism (Eph 4:4). This one baptism was done in Jesus’s name. For this one baptism was started being commanded by Christ. See, Jesus instructed His Apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). God commanded that believers enter the church through baptism (1 Cor 12:13; Col 1:24). When Jesus rose, he revealed, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Before baptism, one must believe and confess faith in Jesus to be the resurrected Lord (Rom 10:9–10), and they must repent from their wicked deeds (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30).
Baptism partakes of the reality of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of all sins (Col 2:12–13). Salvation comes from rising with Christ (Eph 2:4–6). Paul revealed, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom 6:4–5). The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the Gospel (1 Cor 15:1–4). The Gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16). Baptism is the moment of salvation when God forgives one’s sins and washes them away (Acts 22:16). Peter revealed, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Pet 4:17). Peter declared, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 3:21; cf. 1:3).
See other sources about the churches of Christ by watching this video on their beliefs and practices by clicking this link, “Searching for Truth,” or briefly read specific points of beliefs go to “Who are the Churches of Christ?” Consider this article too, “Are the Churches of Christ the Only Ones Saved?“
Be aware that there are those with the name “church of Christ” on their sign who do believe the above and have no affiliation with the churches of Christ. These are denominational churches who vary in many doctrines and practices. These claim to be denominations by separate titles like “progressive,” “international,” and “united.” Know that the churches of Christ have been around long before these denominations. Seek the church that Christ built.
Seeing God's Breath 
If this new denomination has no certain beliefs and rejects the authority of the Bible it is a cult.
The so called non-nondenominationalist I have talked to I find most un-Christian.
Almost universally they are anti-intellectualist which is anti-biblical and none have failed to lie to me at least by omission. The idea that a dying person cannot be saved if they cannot be baptized exposes the cruelty of the deity these churches worship. Their God is an ogre who promises to give life to all who call upon the name of the Lord and then sends people to hell because they were unable to get dunked .
Every single time I have asked the question that if was unsaved and dying with no way to get to the local so called non-denominational C of C to get dunked what would you tell me they have to a person been evasive and dishonest. Jesus said let your nay be nay and your yea be yea. Answering with nonsense like that could never happen or I don’t know is lying by omission.They do know, they believe that I would be lost and was without hope even though Jesus came so that none who believed would perish.
I can accept a persons right to beliefs I disagree with but these people have been taught to be dishonest, to be evasive, because to answer truthfully makes their god look cruel and their beliefs false.
Their god is cruel and their beliefs are false. No real God asks His children to tell less than the whole truth and nothing but, I don’t know is a lie from hell.
I have much greater respect for an atheist with conviction than a so called Christian who hides the beliefs he/she is ashamed of. I have no such beliefs. I am unashamed of my God.
If you want to believe that God sends people to hell because they did not get baptized for any reason and that salvation requires a person to live a good life then so be it, don’t lie about it.
It seems you condemn yourself to hell because being evasive to defend your beliefs is not being obedient to God.
The other place I find without honor is the statement “Where the Bible Speaks We Speak, Were the Bible is Silent We Are Silent” . This is anti intellectual, absurdly arrogant and demonstrably untrue.
What that says it the debate is over, if we said it then we are speaking for God and telling you what He really meant and if you disagree you are a heretic. A three year old with half a brain should see through that farce
How do you explain all the splits over interpretation? The Disciples of Christ , this new sect etc.? And finally when ever i bring up the history of the Campbellites they jump up and down like chimpanzees and say I don’t know anything about them, this is Christs Church. I think they do know its true but have been taught to lie and promise never to study that history just like the Jehovah’s Witnesses who also came out of the Stone Campbellite restoration movement do. Thomas and Alexander went from Presbyterian to Baptist and were eventually thrown out of both groups and founded the Campellite Baptists of which several thousand split off and joined Sidnet Rigdon and Joseph Smith as Mormons and a few hundred with Dr. Thomas to form the Chrstidelphians. All these are historical facts but your members thump the Bible and hide behind it saying that if it not in the Bible they don’t want to know about it, that is too absurd for words. God’s word is not yours to hide your ignorance behind. The Bible is full of names of churches, not one named The Church of Christ despite your dishonest claim that Rom 16 says there was. All cults claim to have the keys to heaven , the Catholics have a much better argument than you do, they only have to lie about the 400 years before they existed, you are forced to lie about 1800.
Even this is a better argument than yours:
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
It does say the church, not churches.
Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
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Thank you so much for your help.
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Good article Scott!
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Katherine,
“I was just a bit confused by this, but I see where you’re going with it, Scott. However, I don’t think this ‘denominational Church of Christ,’ has literally attempted to physically establish itself away from the ‘1st Century Church of Christ.'”
*I agree. I didn’t say that they did.
“Saying that the church of Christ is or isn’t a denomination is a very complicated issue.”
*I don’t think so. The Church is the Church even with imperfections. I think that you
agree that we should not denominate even though the 1st churches struggled with such errors.
“It is complicated to say whether the church of Christ is a denomination or not-in many ways we always have been-especially with the history in the Restoration movement and then the divisions splitting off from that.”
*See there is fundamental attack against the churches of Christ based off of a corruption of the history of the Restoration Movement. The Church of Christ is not a 19th century movement. The Restoration Movement is not a movement of the churches of Christ, but a movement of denominations to the Church of Christ. I’m sorry that is one the most irritating lies that I’ve ever heard. Not that you’re saying that.
“We ARE trying to separate from a legalistic, sectarian ‘our way is the only way’ mindset into one which is absolutely Biblical and Christ-centered, not church centered.”
*I read and hear this all the time, and it is nothing but a straw-man. A few non-institutional backwoods preachers for little congregations who make a fuss about everything and then anyone who follows the Scriptures on music and remarriage are “legalists” and “Pharisees”. This is spoken of as epidemic. This is prejudice labeling men “legalists” [why not just say “false teachers”] who teach that instrumental worship is unScriptural and that remarriage can only be for the innocent spouse. Please just go on and leave the churches of Christ if it is a denomination and move to Christ’s Church. Don’t march around in what you think is a denomination. Learn something from the Restoration Movement and move to restoration. In other words, leave or repent. This is a load of garbage about “legalists” and I’m not saying that you derived it, but you seem to have bought into it. Those who obey commands that progressives do not obey are “legalists” who follow “lists of laws”, and when progressives agree on a command, then everyone is just lovingly obeying commands.
*I agree that all man-made tradition should be thrown out. You’ve got to have heard the standard “do not follow the traditions of men” sermon. We all agree on this. I see that you disagree with the description that you do not seek to observe all things. Then what is the “legalism” that you combat and what laws have been made up? Are you not under the laws of Christ? We need some consistency in beliefs here. Why can’t the progressives present their beliefs plainly? One minute, it is “Let’s not be concerned about following God’s laws all the time” and then it is not. You’re the first progressive of the dozens that I have spoken to finally agree that we should observe all things, but generally speaking this is not true of the “denominational”/progressive churches of Christ.
“This is partly true and partly false. We do believe that Christ built one Church-but that Church is His people, not people who have gathered under the name on a sign called ‘church of Christ’.”
*I agree about the church sign. I say that all the time and have written at least twice on this blog.
“There are Christians spread out through many of the denominations and churches who make up the CHURCH-that is true. We have simply confused the spiritual church with the physical, which has left many people confused and divided WAY too many people.”
*What? They are not in the Church if they do not obey Christ and have not been immersed into Christ. This is not Biblical. Is leaving or not even seeking to be a part of a denomination instead of Christ’s Church make one not a member? What does your statement mean? You know the Mormons have been immersed in Christ’s name for the remission of sins. Are they members of Christ’s Church? What about those of the Assemblies of God who immersed in water for remission of sins? Most Baptists are not baptized this way. Most have the baptism of John for repentance. This is absurd. It’s not judging to say that those practicing sin attending or not the Assemblies are condemned. Is that my judgment? NO. It is the God’s judgment presented in Scripture. Where are these Christians leading the denominations? I wished there were such. If you’re talking about the Christian Church then fine. I accept them as erring brethren, but they follow Scriptures more than the denominational “churches of Christ”. I’d fellowship them in every way that I can, but not their leaders. I think that you miss that the disfellowship between the Christian Church was the move of their leaders on more than just worshiping by machine.
“We do not desire ‘a direction away from agreeing on beliefs and practices in scriptures’, ”
*I’ve heard over and over again from ministers in the progressive churches “Let’s agree to disagree.” No! Let’s agree to discuss this another time maybe, but I’ll never agree to disagree about what the Bible plainly says.
“There are cultural, personal and historical factors that have to be looked at when addressing scripture to get an accurate intrepretation from it. Not everything was addressed for all of us to do for all time, but for us to glean examples from and learn from-and then go from there.”
*I agree and so would the so-called “legalists”, but there have been many of errors derived from this. Women speaking over men is depicted as a cultural thing, and yet the Scriptures do not treat the occurrence as such, so some say “CULTURAL! Let’s stop this legalism and think about what matters.” This is outright disregard from the Truth.
“But we do have to remember that they did not have the entire Bible at the time when looking at what they did in their churches at the time.”
*Yeah, but they had all the Truth by revelation of the Spirit, which is found in the Scriptures starting from the beginning. It’s not like they found out that baptism was for the remission of sins later, and then later found that they were to sing in their assemblies 20 years later by special revelation. This is used over and over again from “change agents” to teach that elders are not needed because the Church did not have them at some point; or they say that one command in Scripture was for the Corinthians and for no one else. These are irrational and easily refuted, and it is sad that such easily lead others away and causes division.
*Progressives do take books out of the Bible. I’ve heard it over and over again from churches removing 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus from the Scriptures, which is fitting for changing the qualifications for elders and taking the birthright of men. I read a statement the other day from a progressive congregation and I heard it from the progressive students at the colleges. I’ve heard it in lectures. I don’t think that you know what is coming from ACU and Lipscomb.
*The Bible was canonized at a later date? Have you even read the words of those who supposed set the standard collection? Read “Bishop” Athanasius of the Catholic/Orthodox church. It’s not hard to find by search engine. You really think that? Do you believe the Catholic Church when it claims to the first Church of Christ? I hope not, but you do believe them when they said that they put it together in the 4th century. That is the kind of refuse that I’m talking about. Go to the primary sources for history.The Bible was canonized as written. See my article on the collection of the NT Scriptures and the OT for that matter.
“We are already the minority. That is why unity is more important than ever-if we continue in a divisive nature and that is what they say-they will want no part of it because there are enough hypocrites and battles in the world.”
*Yes. I cannot and no one else can give up on uniting the words of Christ. I’m not uniting with any cult, church authority, or any other basis than Christ’s words in Scripture.
“Do you see something wrong with the rest of what you wrote being carried out in worship?”
*The Lord’s Supper is for the Assembly every Lord’s Day. That’s what God desires and that is what I have to give Him. The Assembly is more worshiping with the intellect, for speaking not drama, for singing not playing, for singing with one mouth and with one accord not proxy-worship.
“There is definitely a mixture of benevolence and evangelizing all throughout the world and at our back door.”
*Who and where? The benevolence is great even the non-believers do it, but I can’t find any evangelizing and teaching immersion and entrance to Christ’s Church. Show me and I’ll change this.
“It is not true that we don’t have any stances whatsoever on salvation, worship, or church government.”
*I wrote no “specific stance”.
“But, we cannot bind commands on others where God has not and then condemn them because of our interpretations or inferences.”
*Like what? And how come only the progressives see such as inferences and the moderate mainstream churches do not? Only commands are binding with examples and inferences defining the commands.
“We have certainly never intended to become a separate sect-it is those who disagree and believe we are the ‘one true church’ who have helped cause that separation. I think both parties have been guilty of dividing and saying things that are not good, though-I will not deny that. It saddens me greatly-it really does. I don’t like it when assumptions are made, labels are attached, or people are being attacked. I wish we could all unite around our common bond in Christ and focus on furthering His kingdom in this world.”
*I agree that we should unite, but it must be on truth. If you separate from the Christ’s words, then you are separating from those who are following them. The conservative and progressive must give up the traditions of men. I’ve received great malice and hate from the progressives when I disagree, but I have always received love and guidance from from the “conservatives” and mainstream.
What assumptions are there? I’ll change them as I have written above. I’ve been among the progressive churches. I know the backbiting, slander, and disregard for God’s Word. I wish they would leave the mainstream churches alone and cast off into the sea of denominationalism or repent.
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Kat, you always out-do yourslef. Very good comments.
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Oh my-where to begin…
First, I agree with what Braden said:
“I was just a bit confused by this, but I see where you’re going with it, Scott. However, I don’t think this “denominational Church of Christ,” has literally attempted to physically establish itself away from the “1st Century Church of Christ.”
Saying that the church of Christ is or isn’t a denomination is a very complicated issue. In some ways it is, but in others, it strives to be non-denominational. I’d say that claiming that the church of Christ absolutely is a denomination is unfair. I’d like to see a deeper discussion into this issue, but I think that Scott has a point in that many are assuming that they speak on behalf of the church as a whole, when they don’t. ”
Being one who you could say is in this progressive Church of Christ movement, there is some truth to what you say, Scott-but several misconceptions, misunderstandings not to mention assumptions.
It is complicated to say whether the church of Christ is a denomination or not-in many ways we always have been-especially with the history in the Restoration movement and then the divisions splitting off from that. We try to be non-denominational, but we do have many tendencies that do not separate us much at all from other religious affiliations (in beliefs, yes-in tendencies-no). No one can honestly claim we are the “one true church” though many groups have tried. It is VERY hard these days to speak on behalf of the “churches of Christ” because there ARE so many varying degrees of belief, sects, divisions, and the like.
Ok, on to what you have said…First, no we are not trying to separate from churches of Christ. We ARE trying to separate from a legalistic, sectarian “our way is the only way” mindset into one which is absolutely Biblical and Christ-centered, not church centered. After all, we as His people are the Church. We are not striving to be a denomination or not to be like the 1st century church, but to be who God has called us to be as His people, as His church, not as THE one physical church.
I think one of the main problems is that you really think that the “church of Christ” you or I are a part of is THE one and only true church, not a sect or a branch of anything-when the reality is-that just isn’t true. I don’t really know how to break down that premise because it is not easy to when one really believes that and I see that coming out in much of this article. I DO recognize that the Church is God’s people-His disciples who are following Him faithfully-which is not limited to those who assemble at a “church of Christ”. It just cannot be. By the way, I was born and raised in churches of Christ-that span the spectrum of beliefs and doctrines…so I did not come out of denominations, and still claim membership in churches of Christ while also having attending to church of Christ sponsored universities. I have a pretty vested interest in this and have studied much on this subject-not trying to make myself sound better, just so you know where I am coming from…
Having said that…I would like to address the inconsistincies I found in this article, beginning with this:
“They believe in living a good life for salvation but not to be “legalistic” in following every word that proceeds from the mouth of God and observing all things that have been commanded. They believe that grace will cover their faults in doctrines and practices. They affirm that they are saved by grace and are under grace, and therefore they are not bound to obey any law while not recognizing any law of Christ. They believe that loving God is about what is in one’s heart and not really about making sure to observe all that is commanded.”
We do think we should follow everything God has commanded, but we do believe we cannot make commands where God did not, and then judge and condemn people based on our interpretation or inferences. We do not willingly make up or own doctrine or practice, and just expect grace to cover it. That would be wrong. We are saved by grace and under grace-but that does not give us permission to do whatever we want if it violates Christ or what He has asked us to do. We have to ALWAYS to look at what the Word of God says-over any tradition or belief that may have always been held. It has to ALL line up with the Word of God or needs to be thrown out. Loving God IS about following His commandments-He makes that very clear, and those commands are not burdensome (I John). We follow God because we love Him. We love and serve others because we love Him
“Their understanding of Christ’s Church is not that Christ built one Church that follows one way in beliefs and practices. They believe that the Church consists of most denominations not including or excluding any “Christian” cults. They believe many denominations to be a part of the Church that Jesus built. Though beliefs differ between the denominations, the “Church of Christ” denomination believes that most denominations consist of Christians who are going to Heaven based on their understanding of God and His Will for each one of them. They do not believe that they are the only ones going to Heaven. This sect also is in close fellowship with “Christian Churches” who have the same beliefs.”
This is partly true and partly false. We do believe that Christ built one Church-but that Church is His people, not people who have gathered under the name on a sign called “church of Christ”. That does not include every denomination or every cult-certainly not. Many of them believe in a different doctrine than Christ and don’t even call themselves Christians. However, no we will not play God and judge them-we will leave that to Him; while we welcome Christ followers as our brothers and sisters in His name. There are Christians spread out through many of the denominations and churches who make up the CHURCH-that is true. We have simply confused the spiritual church with the physical, which has left many people confused and divided WAY too many people. We aren’t the only ones going to heaven, and honestly to say otherwise is arrogant, presumptious, and unBiblical.
“They desire a direction away from agreeing on beliefs and practices in the Scriptures, and they do not find it relevant that there be no divisions among Christians regarding such, and that Christians do not have to be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment since this is not possible. Their authority is based off of 2 things: guidance from the Spirit outside of the written Word and guidance from the written Word. They believe the Bible to be a great guide and a love letter. This denomination believes the Bible is inspired while also being intermingled with culturally based opinions and practices, but they do not believe the Bible was verbally guided by the Spirit and certainly not unto the tense of words. Passages like 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 are thought to only be referring to the Old Testament.”
We do not desire “a direction away from agreeing on beliefs and practices in scriptures”, but we do desire to gather around our common bond found in Christ-instead of looking for all of the things that could divide us. We live in too much of a post-Christian society with too many lost people to keep looking for how people are not like us in beliefs while ignoring the fact that they are trying to serve God and share Him with the world, too.
There are cultural, personal and historical factors that have to be looked at when addressing scripture to get an accurate intrepretation from it. Not everything was addressed for all of us to do for all time, but for us to glean examples from and learn from-and then go from there. The Bible was inspired, and we do not believe those passages to just refer to the OT. But we do have to remember that they did not have the entire Bible at the time when looking at what they did in their churches at the time. They had what they needed and we now have what we need.
“They believe that the use of beliefs and practices in the books of the New Testament to understand other beliefs and practices in the New Testament is not reasonable, since they believe these writings were written by different men with different understandings from the Spirit. Even the longer New Testaments books are thought not to be good guides in understanding themselves since books like Acts teach an evolving faith in the 1st century. These ideas come from 2 core beliefs. First, by their own necessary inference, Christians in the 1st century would not have been able to use the New Testament writings as a collection to understand God’s Word, so a New Testament Christian should not do so today. The second belief is that the New Testament Scriptures are a collection gathered by uninspired men between the 2nd and 4th century, so they assume that many beliefs may be lost in writings not collected or added to the collection. Most of this denomination relies on their own beliefs believing them to be from the Holy Spirit. They keep their unity by the most respected and well-known preachers among them, who have similar understandings, so they work together to maintain the boundaries of their sect. They also rely on the movements and teachings of other denominational teachers. It is probably a matter of time before this denomination like others joins another, splinters into other sects, or may be ceases to exist.”
I did address this a little before, and I honestly don’t know where you are getting a lot of this. We do not throw books of the Bible out-we just all have to understand that everything must be taken together-not bits here and there; that there IS cultural and historical circumstances surrounding all of it, and that it has gone through a few languages. That does not mean anything should be written off, just looked at through those lenses. So, no-nothing in the NT should be written off. It is true that the Bible as we know it was not canonized until much later-that is historical fact, but that does not mean we can right anything off-it just ALL must be placed within the bigger picture of the whole thing or it won’t work.
As to your last comment, honestly I am not sure where we are headed-we are at a time where we have to examine where we go from here. That goes for any denomination and Christianity itself-if we cease to be relevant and real to a world in need and who is slipping farther away from God-we will continue to decline and cease to exist. I pray that is not true. We are already the minority. That is why unity is more important than ever-if we continue in a divisive nature and that is what they say-they will want no part of it because there are enough hypocrites and battles in the world.
As to the whole worship part-you are right, it does vary by congregation; and you are accurate on some things but not so much on others. Every congregation I have been a part of the last few years (and there have been quite a few) preaches on Scriptures and God-not just morality or feel good religion, but the Bible. This may not be true for all-but I think you made a pretty general assumption that is not true. I would much rather hear a Biblically preached sermon than week after week of how our church is the right one and everyone else is wrong-that is too close to a cult. Not saying your church does that-but I have seen too many that do. Do you see something wrong with the rest of what you wrote being carried out in worship?
“Almost all of their missions are benevolence missions rather than evangelizing missions.”
Is this supposed to be bad? There is definitely a mixture of benevolence and evangelizing all throughout the world and at our back door.
“This group is appealing to searching members of denominations, who are looking for a church affirming general Christian morality without any specific stance on salvation, worship, and church government. All around, this denomination is a great example of an ecumenical church blending beliefs and practices between the 21st century denominations and the 1st century Church of Christ.”
It is not true that we don’t have any stances whatsoever on salvation, worship, or church government. We don’t just throw it all to the wind yelling “grace! grace!” and hope God will take care of it all. God has laid out certain things in the Bible we should adhere to. If we choose not to, we do bring judgment on ourselves; but we do not have the right to bring judgment on others-even when we disagree. But, we cannot bind commands on others where God has not and then condemn them because of our interpretations or inferences.
I hate that there are so many divisions within our heritage. I hate that there are divisions period, but we as humans have caused them throughout the years. I have never heard of it portrayed this way as the “Church of Christ denomination” instead of the “church of Christ”. We have certainly never intended to become a separate sect-it is those who disagree and believe we are the “one true church” who have helped cause that separation. I think both parties have been guilty of dividing and saying things that are not good, though-I will not deny that. It saddens me greatly-it really does. I don’t like it when assumptions are made, labels are attached, or people are being attacked. I wish we could all unite around our common bond in Christ and focus on furthering His kingdom in this world. There are way too many people out there who have never even HEARD the name of Jesus or His beautiful message and plan for salvation made possible through His amazing grace and love. I want the whole world to know that and I imagine you do, too. I think many have good intentions, but somehow don’t see the big picture-and then some are just stubborn and want to remain in their course of action, even when it goes against Scripture. In the end, everything will come into light and God will be the ultimate judge. While we are on earth, that is not our job. Our job is to love people, seek His will for this world, and shine His light into it so that others will know and live in the love and joy that we know.
I know this was really long-I did not mean for it to be this long or a dig at you-I just wanted to clear some things up since you seemed to welcome that. You are certainly welcome to your opinion, but I don’t believe that blanket assumptions should be made about everyone ever.
Thanks for letting me contribute and blessings on your journey~
Katherine
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This is a most fascinating read. Can’t say I agree with the characterizations but it is fascinating. Perhaps it is the case rather that there are some folks have, in the spirit of restoration, searched the Scriptures to see ‘if these things were so” and found that everything was not! Just perhaps …
Seeking Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
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Exactly Braden, though they have separated in doctrines and practices, then they still are connected to Church in ministries, schools, etc. That’s what I was presenting. I’ll see if I can clarify it more. The reason it is somewhat confusing is due to this connection.
I would agree that we go back to the endless effort to restore the Church mroe in the New Covenant as Stone and Campbell made the plea. The problem is that this denomination, as they refer to us and themselves as “a big sick denomination”, has slanted this movement to a unity based not on doctrines and practices. Instead, they do not accept the Scriptures as the all-sufficient authority and therefore their understanding is out of wack, which I don’t really think they are ignorant but simply choose to pick and choose through the Scriptures. If this could be overcome, then I can see unity again. There have been some in our brotherhood who have made understanding the Bible confusing, and now the law of exclusion is mocked and scoffed. While at the same time, this denomination of declared “progressives” have made the move to follow the Spirit apart from the written Word and they have denied the written Word as being able to make one complete.
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I was just a bit confused by this, but I see where you’re going with it, Scott. However, I don’t think this “denominational Church of Christ,” has literally attempted to physically establish itself away from the “1st Century Church of Christ.”
Saying that the church of Christ is or isn’t a denomination is a very complicated issue. In some ways it is, but in others, it strives to be non-denominational. I’d say that claiming that the church of Christ absolutely is a denomination is unfair. I’d like to see a deeper discussion into this issue, but I think that Scott has a point in that many are assuming that they speak on behalf of the church as a whole, when they don’t.
A very central Campbellian (new word?) rationale behind the Restoration Movement was unity. Now today, many see attempts at unity to be heresy, and I think that’s unfair and judgmental. The fact is that as long as both sects or factions maintain their stances, there will always be some form of undeniable division. But our de facto creed has always been “we speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent.” I think abandoning that has caused division.
The answer I suggest is putting down our swords and pick up where the Campbells and Stone left off, and continue restoration. Let’s examine the scriptures, examine the 1st century Christians, see what they did, how they worshipped, etc. Fighting for the man-made traditions we’ve held onto won’t work anymore. Attempting to justify extrabiblical nonsense under the banner of liberty and love will fail too. Both are counter-productive. We’ve got to unite on the word.
What I’ve read of Chesser’s book is quite silly. I’d say it’s oversimplifying and unfair to compare Scott’s post to that.
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It is simplified but not oversimplified. That’s one of the purposes of writing this. It is fair. I would like to know what is unfair or inaccurate so that I can change it. “Unfair” is a double standard. Do you think it was fair for this denomination to speak via Abilene Christian University’s 2004 Lectureship on behalf of the Church?
Though a few close friends and past ministers have joined this sect, I love them and I hope that they will one day accept the authority of the Scriptures and pursue the Church that Christ built forgiving our shortcomings as we forgive theirs. The most tragic action of this group is deciding to be a denomination and giving up or not being a part of the Church that Christ built in doctrine and practice even if departing from our fellowship. There could be some respect for this group if they would seek to be Christ’s Church and leave the fellowship, but staying nearby as a denomination and pilfering ministries whether intentionally or not is horrible and it is far from Christ’s Will for the Church.
I guess I should read Frank Chesser’s book.
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