The church are those bought with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). Those in the church are the only ones saved (Acts 2:41, 47; Eph 5:25–27). Only members of the church of Christ Jesus are enrolled in heaven (Heb 12:23). By the way, all children are safe in Christ (Matt 19:14). Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
Because the churches of Christ proclaim this biblical teaching, many are mistaken to assert that the churches of Christ mean only those with name “church of Christ” on the building’s sign will receive eternal life. The churches of Christ are made of imperfect people and they are not perfect in themselves. Only Christ perfects Christians having repented of their faults and strengthened through their weaknesses.
Churches of Christ
Did Jesus build His church as He promised (Matt 16:18)? Did He purchase the church with His blood (Acts 20:28)? Jesus certainly did. For the church of Christ is a part of God’s eternal purpose (Eph 3:9–10). Where is that church? Look to the Scriptures. Christ established and bought the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Christ cleansed the church of their sins by His blood (Eph 1:7; 1 John 1:7; Matt 26:28; Rom 3:25; 5:9; Col 1:20; Heb 9:12, 14; 13:12, 20; 1 Pet 1:19; Rev 1:5).
As a minister trained by loving evangelists within the church of Christ, this Christian has never heard that only the “Church of Christ” denomination, only “church-of-Christers,” or only those with the sign “Church of Christ” on the building are the only ones going into eternal life in paradise. The churches of Christ do not make that judgment. God decides who are His people — the church of Christ. God makes the judgment of who is going rise and live in the new paradise (2 Pet 3:13). “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Tim 2:19).
Denominations Divide
In the Scriptures, no one was baptized into the Baptist church, Catholic church, evangelical church, or any man-made denomination or sect. No one was baptized solely into a local congregation, but they were baptized into one body — the church of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 12:13).
Believers were only baptized into the church of Christ in the Bible. The Scriptures do not assure the salvation of those baptized into denominations. Paul taught against divisions according to names — even good names like Paul, Cephas, and Apollos other than Christ (1 Cor 1:10–13; Gal 5:19–21). Paul revealed that divisions are destructive, and those who cause and maintain such division will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (Gal 5:19–21). Jesus prayed that Christians be one (John 17:20–21). Did His prayer fail? Certainly not! Christ is the Head of the one church (Eph 1:22–23; Col 1:18). The plea of the churches of Christ is not to denominate and join as one church of Christ.
False Unity
Interdenominational churches may boast of working together despite their differences, but their differences are apparently trivial opinions and man-made traditions or they would not forfeit them. Certainly, ecumenical churches can give up their own traditions, opinions, and inventions. No Christian should divide over opinions (Rom 14). However, Christ’s church cannot compromise His words, His teaching, His commands.
If someone must do something to join a local church that a believer does not have to do to join the church of Jesus Christ, then those church leaders are adding to God’s written Word. Joining a denomination is not joining that church that Christ built. The Scriptures provide complete teaching for every good work (2 Tim 3:16–17). Adding and annulling parts of God’s Word is the foundation and source of divisive sectarianism (Gal 1:6–9). If joining a denomination is the same as joining the church, then all Christians would be a part of the same denomination. However, joining a denomination is not joining the church that Christ built.
Must one be a member of a denomination to receive eternal life? No. Must one be a member of the church of Jesus Christ to enter into eternal life? Yes. Must believers be a part of a denomination or the church of Jesus Christ? The Bible revealed that the Lord adds believers to the church when they are baptized in Jesus’s name (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor 12:13). Now, are those of the church of Christ that Christ built the only ones receiving eternal life in paradise? Yes! Jesus saves faithful Christians who have joined the church that Christ built.
The Head of the Church
How can all churches unite? The church of Christ is solely built upon the Rock who is Christ by the confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Matt 16:16–19). Churches unite in Christ, that Jesus rose from the dead, and He gives eternal life through His resurrection (Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 6:12–13).
Because Jesus is the chief cornerstone and the head of the church, the church finds Jesus Christ as having authority over His church (Matt 28:18). Jesus is sinless (John 6:63; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22). Therefore, Jesus’s words are infallible, and He gave those words to His Apostles and prophets in the Scriptures (John 15:20, 16:12-13, 17:8). The apostles and prophets wrote the Scriptures for Christians to perceive the apostolic insight of God’s revelation (Eph 3:3–5). Christians can unite in the meaning of Scripture and obey Jesus’s commands without dividing over opinions. Christ’s church cannot compromise Jesus Christ and God’s commands for man’s traditions (Matt 15:7–9; Mark 7:6–9).
In Ephesians 4:5, Paul taught that there is only one body. That one body is the church (Eph 1:22–23). Churches of Christ proclaim this church urging all believers to leave the named divisions and man-made church governments behind and let all believers unite in Christ by His Word. In the Bible, the apostles organized churches with elders leading each congregation (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9). The churches of Christ assemble to learn, sing, pray, break the bread, and give to collection every first day of the week (1 Cor 11:17–34; 14; 16:1–2).
Paul and Barnabas divided over application of the way to spread the Gospel, but they remained united in the Gospel, the revealed message of Jesus Christ (Acts 15:36–41). Christians may differ and do regarding application of the Scriptures, but Christians rarely disagree concerning the meaning of biblical texts.
Entering the Church
The Scriptures teach that Jesus saved the baptized and added them to the church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 1 Cor 12:13, cf. 1 Cor 6:11). When the Pharisees rejected baptism, they rejected the purpose of God (Luke 7:30). As Ephesians 5:26 depicts, Jesus washed those in the church with water, and the church unites in only one baptism as one body (Eph 4:5).
Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:18–20). Peter revealed, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Peter also taught, “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). Therefore, Peter refused to withhold water and commanded them “to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:47–48).
In His resurrection, Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit (Matt 28:18–20). The early church affirmed that Jesus revealed, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:15–16). Christ saves believers through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:1–4). Therefore, true believers confess that Jesus is the resurrected Lord (Rom 10:9–10). Believers do not reject Jesus’s resurrection; be saved by being raised with Christ from baptism (Rom 6:4–7; Eph 2:4–6; Col 2:12–13).
The Church that is of Christ
The churches of Christ refuse to bear a denominational name or form a man-made organization. Christians bear the name of Christ by being called “Christian.” By the name “Christian,” the church is “of Christ.” Christ tears down the dividing walls (Eph 2:14–17). The church carries the name of God and Christ in descriptions such as “church of Christ,” “churches of Christ,” “church of Jesus Christ,” “Christians,” “disciples of Christ,” and so on with biblical names.
The churches of Christ are congregations of Christians who have set to be the church of Christ as found in the Bible. These congregations are not perfect, and the churches in the first century were not perfect. Like the first century, churches of Christ are made of imperfect people who are only perfected by the death of Jesus Christ (Col 1:21–23).
Some churches will continue to struggle in their immaturity, but those who are truly believers will unite in love for God, Christ, and one another (Eph 4:11–16; Col 3:14). Christ makes Christians holy, blameless, without spot, and blemish (Eph 5:27; Col 1:21–23). Therefore, the churches of Christ diligently strive to unite and not to divide by man-made doctrines and divisive names. Churches in the first century struggled with divisions and false teachings too (1 Cor 1).
Making a Stand
The churches of Christ believe the Bible that Christ only saves the church of Jesus Christ (Eph 5:25–27). Congregations of Christ stand against the leaders and teachers who divide and denominate. The church pleads with all believers to be Christians only and to follow Christ through His words. Because of our confident stance upon the Scriptures as the sole authority for doctrines and practices, churches of Christ are diligent to “observe all things” that Jesus instructed (Matt 28:20). The churches of Christ strive not to go beyond the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). Because of this, many judge the churches of Christ and scoff at the church’s love for God, love for one another, and obedience to His commands (John 14:21, 23; 1 John 5:2–3; 2 John 6).
Invitation
The churches of Christ welcome all believers to unite. Members of all denominations are welcome and urged to become Christians only — apart from denominationalism. If you disagree, we lovingly and kindly plead from the Scriptures to find and join the church of Christ. Those who are honest will all seek Christ. All guests are welcome meet with churches of Christ. The congregations of Christ are focused on the mission of making disciples by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit and teaching them to observe all things that Jesus commanded (Matt 28:19–20).
Christ has built the church and bought the church with His blood (Matt 16:18; Acts 20:28). The Lord adds repentant baptized believers to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41, 47; Eph 5:25–27). Only members of the church of Christ are enrolled in heaven (Heb 12:23).
Find out more about the churches of Christ via this article, “Ten Characteristics among Churches of Christ,” or online video, “Searching for the Truth.”
The Breath of God 
Are Members of the Church of Christ the Only Ones Going to Heaven? NO, anyone who trust in water regeneration goes to HELL, ONLY those who have TRUSTED in the FINISH WORK of CHRIST, FAITH go to HEAVEN!!!
Titus 3:5-7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Ty
Jude 3
Brenda,
Ask your aunt if the congregation has to have a sign that says “Church of Christ”. If your aunt is someone who is promoting the churches of Christ as an elite set of people then she is being sectarian, denominational, and she is an immature and an untaught Christian, which I hope is not the case.
I hope that you will continue to look for a congregation that follows the Spirit’s revelation in Scripture (2 Pet. 1:20-21, 2 Tim. 3:16-17) and they seek to observe all things (Matt. 28:20). I don’t know of any denominations striving for this, but I know that denominating is wrong (Gal. 5:20, 1 Cor. 1:10, John 17:21). Now, the church at Corinth was corrected for many erring beliefs and practices though they were still considered to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ. I would love to grant many churches this same acceptance, but the Corinthian church was warned to repent and they repented unto salvation (2 Cor. 7:9-12). Jesus speaking to the 7 churches of Asia in Revelation 2-3 is also good on this subject. May God bless us all in our studies to see that we are observing all things, and I believe that we cannot do this on our own but in congregations.
Regarding love, I wish that I tell you how to find a good congregation if I knew your location. Those who love God love the brethren and obey the commands of God (1 John 4:8-5:3). This is what I would look for. Look through bulletins for service unto the brethren and unto teaching. Add to this the true of religion of James 1:27 in that they take care to widows and orphans. There may be hateful and malicious people in all the churches, but this was the same in the first century. I’d love that we could all be so patient as to overcome them with love.
Grace and peace to you.
My aunt who has been a member of the Church of Christ for years has told me several times I will not go to heaven when attending another church. She remarks why would I attend another church who does not take on the name of Christ. John the Baptist did not die for us. I have not been in church for awhile because I am tired of the hateful members who attend (and they are in all churches) and only warm the pews for show. I keep reminding myself I should go for Christ and not the people. My aunt also tells me prayers are not answered when out of church and if I die today; heaven will not be my home because I am not assembling with others.
Dan,
You are certainly blind to honest study. I have sought to give you eye salve. You argue against silence for which we both agree that silence does not exclude. You continue over and over again arguing against a phantom heresy. You dodge every incident by which you knowingly exclude traditions of men by the “law of exclusion”, but you close your mind that you may be consistent with God’s specific instructions on music. Your heart is hard against the Scriptures in only accepting “thou shalt not” to not use instruments while “thou shall” excludes every other tradition of man. You ignore that there is a law of Christ. You present yourself as double-minded and act as a hypocrite. You asserted that “our side” offends your conscience as though “your side” is innocent. I have found your side filled with grievous wolves. You offer instrumental in worship against the instructions of God in the New Testament. You assert that God accepts worship with instruments by the Old Testament, but you ignore incense and thanksgiving sacrifices from the Old Testament. You believe that the call like a trumpet at Christ’s coming is worship to God as though we do not use instruments for other things as trumpets would signal soldiers (1 Cor. 14:8) and we use bells to change classes and pitch pipes for songs. None of these are made to worship God. You are not like your friends who consider these things. You accuse me of not observing everything commanded in the NT for which I observe all things that Christ has commanded and if not, may Aquila and Priscilla correct me. It is strange that you show me Col. 2:16-23, the plank in your eye. Did you keep Lent this year? Did you urge others to do likewise? Yet what tradition of man am I guilty of? Show me and I’ll cease. You said, “I agree that it is God’s grace that saved me, not your opinion of whether or not I should or should not use an instrument when I worship God.” Who do you agree with? You know I have no opinion on the use of instruments to worship God and that the NT has no support for your tradition. I simply can not have faith in such traditions of man that do come from faith that comes from the Word of God (Rom. 10:17) and therefore since one cannot have faith in the traditions of man, it is a sin to worship in such a way (Rom. 14:21).
Rick Atchley? When such men quench not the Spirit and accept the Scriptures as God’s breath able to make one complete and equipped unto every good work, then I’ll consider their words. This is where we differ. You are like many claiming to believe in the Spirit’s revelation of Scripture, but deny the Scriptures as revealing the complete revelation of God including God’s complete revelation on worship and assembly. I assume you probably believe that the collection of the NT Scriptures were decided by the council of Nicaea in the 4th century as the Catholic church claims, and that the collection of the NT is man-made. If you don’t believe that the collection of the NT Scriptures are from God, then you can’t believe that the Scriptures may be incomplete and may not make one complete and equipped unto every good work. You must also doubt how one can observe all things commanded by Christ and that God’s complete revelation on NT music for worship is not complete in the NT. I assume you probably believe that 2 Tim. 3:16-17’s reference to “Every Scripture” refers only to the OT Scriptures and that 2 Pet. 1:20-21 refers only to the OT Scriptures too. These are interpretations from Satan that undermine the safety many.
Dan, such a congregation may serve God in many ways, but err in worshiping God and acceptance of Scripture. I pray that you open your eyes and repent.
Scott,
“Honestly, I’d rather be a legalist than an illegalist.”
This is a specious argument at best and thoroughly beside the point because it assumes that those who operate under your rule of silence are somehow more pleasing to the Lord than those who do not. It is a false dichotomy at best and insipid arrogance at worst. It does nothing to advance your point or to sustantiate it. Really, you must do better than this.
“I don’t think you’re aware that people on your side do insist on violating my conscience and others. Over and over again, I’m been spoken against by those who worship with instruments. I’ve been there when instruments were brought into assemblies of worship without consent or regard for the conscience of a few and even the majority who believe the instruments of music to be an addition to God’s music in the New Testament.”
So I am guilty for the inconsideration of others now? I have never done this, nor have I ever insisted that it be done. I have worshiped with a capella churches and brothers and never once asked that an instrument be brought in to the gathering. Again, a specious argument and a red-herring. I specifically stated that BOTH congregations could and will be used for God’s glory. You are the only one who seems to be insistent that they cannot and will not.
“Regarding grace, I do not understand where you and others get the idea that un-repented sins are forgiven though I’d like to believe that such is the case for ignorance of sin but I can’t (Luke 17, Matt. 18).”
Where did you get the idea that I do? The problem is that instrumental music is NOT a sin: And I cannot accept that IT is a sin APART from Scripture attestation to the contrary (that was your argument too). And I see plenty of times in SCRIPTURE where people worshiped with instruments. Good grief, when the Lord Jesus returns it will be with the blast of a trumpet! So trumpets are good enough for the Parousia, but not for the ongoing worship? That makes no sense to me at all. Besides, where do you get the idea that ONLY repented sins are forgiven? That seems to be yet another argument from .
“Would this not make you a legalist almost to the extent that I am? I seek to be consistent and believe that the instrument in an addition to the specific positive commands of God’s ideal for worship by music. Do you judge me for excluding as you?”
No. You cannot include the instrument in that list of things because the instrument is not a moral issue as most of those are. And besides, not all abortion is sinful, not all presidencies are sinful since it is God who establishes governments and leaders (that is Scriptural; besides that, I agree that archbishops and popes are excluded by precept), I never read in Scripture where God judged Abraham or David for polygamy (it may not be prudent, and current US Law prohibits it, so it is wrong, but not according to Scripture which seems to be rather indifferent to it unless the rules for elders are speficially written for that purpose), Lamb meat probably was served at Jewish Passover feasts which are the origination of the Lord’s Supper (maybe WE have the Lord’s Supper wrong?), the Bible does have commands against praying to anyone but God, I think infant baptism is excluded by precept as well, and so on and so forth. And, further, because I don’t consider it (instrumental music) a sin because Scripture does not declare it a sin, in fact, there are many places in Scripture where instruments are specifically mentioned–not least of which is the Psalms. The only way you can avoid the Psalms and instruments is if you, well, avoid the Psalms. You would need to exclude a rather large chunk of Scripture to make that point stand up under scrutiny.
But, for the record, the Bible does not say, either, that we should write blogs and use words like ‘Seeing Gods Breath’ as their name. So, from this, I would have to assume that you are in sin. Nowhere does it say, in Scripture, that you can have a blog and use the Name of Holy God as your blog’s name. :) How can we ‘see God’s breath’? Where does that Biblical phrase come from? ;)
“Those who continue into practices in addition and disregard for God’s instruction will further go into such for whatever purpose motivates them. See that I said that continue to eventually bring their own destruction.”
I can make a strong case that the Bible condones slavery and that women should never talk in worship. Should we have slaves? Should women be absolutely silent? I can make a strong case that microphones, pulpits, pews, Bible School, carpet, (heck, church buildings period!), curtains, baptisteries, silver plates for communion, offering plates, and all such things are also excluded by your silence argument. Yet, there seems to be no such prohibition from you on this–it does seem a bit selective doesn’t it to exlude only instruments when the Bible is silent about so many things. I can make the case that those with stomach ailments should drink wine. The Scripture also says we should greet one another with a holy kiss. Do you? Women should pray with their heads covered and not wear jewelry according to Paul and Peter. Do you advocate this for the women in your church? These are quite specific, direct commands. Do you adhere to them? I could probably go on, but perhaps you get the point.
Thanks for the conversation. I agree that it is God’s grace that saved me, not your opinion of whether or not I should or should not use an instrument when I worship God. And I agree that it is God’s grace that saved you in spite of yourself. I’ll let you have the last word because I will not persuade you, and you will not persuade me. I agree: Do not go beyond what is written. So, do you? Do you worship in a building? Do you pay your teaching elders? Do you add widows to a list of those receiving financial assistence from the church? Are there any needy among those in your congregation?
But, my last word to you will be thus, “Therefore, let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath Day, things which are a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let know one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head from whom the whole body being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from GOd. If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of this world, why as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees such as ‘Do not hand, do not taste, do not touch (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) in accordance with the teachings and commandments of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdeom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleish indulgence.” (Colossians 2:16-23).
Good luck!
jerry
PS–you might listen to a fella named Rick Atchley. He is rather progressive in these matters and I believe he sees room where both congregations can thrive and serve to the glory of God as each congregation appeals to a different preference. Thanks again!
“churchesofchrist”,
I didn’t say silence forbids. In fact, all men declaring that “silence forbids” say “silence forbids” only upon specific and positive statements in Scripture. In other words, the specifics of God’s ideals forbid alterations. I personally don’t care either for saying “silence forbids” since as you well know it does not. We’d all be anathema for driving cars, using computers, and so on if silence forbid. It is what is written that forbids.
“Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent” or even better “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). I see no bending of this at all. The Scriptures don’t speak specifically of these subjects before and neither are the Scriptures silent regarding marriage, murder, church government, the Lord’s Supper, baptism in the Lord’s name, prayer, and music. The New Testament speaks not of worshiping by instruments in any form or way. We do not pray or preach with instruments. Why would we try to make melody unto God with instruments? “Through Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name” (Heb. 13:15).
I must say that reference to Luke 15 of the parable of the Prodigal Son is great for saying that music and dancing are good, but this passage never says that the music was worship and also if it was, this was told under the old law. I can as easily refer to 1 Cor. 13:1’s reference to one speaking without love as being a “sounding brass” or “clanging cymbal”. Also see 1 Cor. 14:7’s reference to pipes, harps, and trumpets as “lifeless things”. I don’t believe that inferring from these passages alone as you do to Luke 15 settle what is pleasing worship to God in music.
I do not know what your definition of a “corporate worship service” is, but I do know what the Scriptures speak of the Assembly, the gathering. Paul was certainly referring to the Assembly in 1 Cor. 14 (1 Cor. 14:4, 5, 12, 19, 23, 28, 35). Verse 23 says “the whole congregation be assembled together”. Paul was quite strict about the use of spiritual gifts in the Assembly as opposed to evangelizing. Worship is certainly a part of our every day lives, and worship certainly occurs in a “corporate”/congregational fashion in the Assembly or “service”. I assume that you mean “service” as an assembly such as in a wedding service, funeral service, graduation service, etc.
As you brought up aids and additions, its quite simple to understand. I’ll use 1 Cor. 4:6 this time. We are “not to go beyond what is written”. The Scripture does not say “not to go beyond what is not written”.
Why do you call these references to Scripture “arguments”?
From Scott: “I cannot show in the Bible where it says, “Polygamy is a sin”, “Abortion is a sin”, “Offices of pope, president, and archbishops are a sin”, “Lamb’s meat and water for the Lord’s supper is a sin”, “Baptisms with flower pedals, mist, or smoke is a sin”, “Infant baptism is a sin”, “Praying to Mary, Peter, or any one else not God is a sin”, nor “Using a musical instrument to worship is a sin”.
I agree with much of what you say, but honestly, I think it can be demonstrated via scripture that all of the above are sins, except for musical instrument to worship – I don’t find anything hinting to this as sinful. Jesus should have said upon the Prodigal sons return that they throw a party with food, dancing, but no music please, because music is sinful. Honestly, I think the arguments we use regarding music are quite weak. If silence prohibits one from playing music, it also prohibits many other things we do…things we call expedients and matters of judgment. We bend our “speak where the bible speaks” rule quite a bit on many issues. Each thing stated above can be shown to be sin, except for musical instruments in worship. Matter of fact, Paul wasn’t even addressing a corporate worship service when he addressed the issue. They didn’t meet in church buildings with offering plates and silver palters for communion as we do today – the scriptures are totally silent regarding our so-called worship services accompanied by offering plates, silver platters, Welch’s grape juice, song leaders, pitch pipes…..I know the arguments on this too, but feel free to tell them.
Jerry,
Friend, please do not read do not interpret any of these words with an unkind or harsh tone. I must kindly challenge you on these words to reconsider your position. Did you not address me as the guilty party and still believe that I’m divisive? This division of ours comes from the invention and tradition of man. I will admit to being a legalist not as someone who excessively adheres to the Law of Christ, but as one who observes all things commanded (Matt. 28:20). Honestly, I’d rather be a legalist than an illegalist. There is a Law of Christ (Isa. 2:3; Jer. 31:33; Rom. 3:27, 7:25, 8:2,4,7, 9:4; 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2; Heb. 10:16; Jam. 1:25 and 2:12). Christ does have commands for which those who love Him that must be kept (John 14:21). I cannot believe that the commands of Christ even from the Apostles and prophets (1 Cor. 14:27, Eph. 3:4, 2 Pet. 3:2) are traditions apart from whatever whoever deems as “theology”. Add to this that we must follow the traditions of God (2 Thes. 2:15). For the love of God, I keep all these things, and then I’m called a “legalist” and more. For this, I’m not offended, but I do pray in concern for such people. I would assume Paul is a legalist to many for standing against the use of unknown languages to teach, pray, and make melody to God.
I don’t think you’re aware that people on your side do insist on violating my conscience and others. Over and over again, I’m been spoken against by those who worship with instruments. I’ve been there when instruments were brought into assemblies of worship without consent or regard for the conscience of a few and even the majority who believe the instruments of music to be an addition to God’s music in the New Testament.
The majority of who profess Christianity may use instruments in worship now and maybe for 100-150 years, but across history this is not true. Has this “church” that you speak of all been immersed in water in the Lord’s name into the forgiveness of sins?
I did not say that everyone who uses an instrument to worship is going to Hell. Those under the First Testament are not. God will judge those who use it under the Law of Christ. Those who do use the instrument quench the Spirit’s revelation in the Scriptures as making one complete unto every good work as though God’s ideals for music being singing can be added to or that such instruction is incomplete. Does not Christ know what pleases Him? I did say that “There is not really any way for someone to continue in only one error like this. They will have eventually given up in study and seeking God’s will, and with this come other sins and damnation.” Those who continue into practices in addition and disregard for God’s instruction will further go into such for whatever purpose motivates them. See that I said that continue to eventually bring their own destruction.
Regarding grace, I do not understand where you and others get the idea that un-repented sins are forgiven though I’d like to believe that such is the case for ignorance of sin but I can’t (Luke 17, Matt. 18). I understand grace to extend as long as we walk in the light (1 John 1:7). Regarding Rom. 3:28, my obedience to the commands of Christ does not mean that I seek salvation by my own works, but still true faith is that of works. I do not neglect Rom. 3:28 and I do adhere to the “law of faith” mentioned in Rom. 3:27. This type of grace that you speak of sounds nice, but I have no way of accepting it apart from Scripture. Certainly, you do have Scripture that teaches that grace and forgiveness are given to all the good hearted even though they continue in an unknown sin. I’d like to have this. I think Apollos is the best example of a good hearted teacher, who taught falsely though not a false teacher, that also was receptive to God’s complete Word on such a thing as baptism. I’d like to think that he was in God’s good grace while he was ignorant, but have no proof in Scripture.
Will God use congregations acapella or not for His glory? I can’t judge that. Yes, God uses every thing good, evil, or void of soul for His glory. Let me say that I can not judge those congregations, but I do know that I must distinguish those teaching contrary, who are divisive, and openly sinning that I keep not company with them and avoid them. I do believe that God is so big that He accepts all good done in the name of Christ. All nature glorifies God. Even the wood used to carve an idol carved glorifies God in the wood though not in the form of an idol. All speaking glorifies God in sound but not in the form of casual words and certainly not curses. I play the guitar and all sounds glorify God, but I do not worship Him with that machine nor with any sounds that do not intellectually edify as is clearly wrong in 1 Cor. 14.
Friend, I cannot show in the Bible where it says, “Polygamy is a sin”, “Abortion is a sin”, “Offices of pope, president, and archbishops are a sin”, “Lamb’s meat and water for the Lord’s supper is a sin”, “Baptisms with flower pedals, mist, or smoke is a sin”, “Infant baptism is a sin”, “Praying to Mary, Peter, or any one else not God is a sin”, nor “Using a musical instrument to worship is a sin”. I assume that you and I would agree that most of these are sins excluding the last. We both would refer to specific positive commands that exclude these false practices. We both would agree that such additions and changes to God’s will and His ideal is a sin. Do you not also exclude some of these things as sins, though the Scriptures do not say so? Would this not make you a legalist almost to the extent that I am? I seek to be consistent and believe that the instrument in an addition to the specific positive commands of God’s ideal for worship by music. Do you judge me for excluding as you?
May we both have grace and peace in our Lord.
Scott,
There is a huge, huge difference between the following two sentences you have written:
“There is not really any way for someone to continue in only one error like this. They will have eventually given up in study and seeking God’s will, and with this come other sins and damnation.”
and…
“To ‘have fellowship’ or ‘jointly participate’ in instrumental services because they are balanced out by also having a cappella services is a compromise of conscience, if one has any conscience against the instrument.”
No one from ‘my side’ is suggesting that you should violate your conscience. However, again, there is a difference between you having freedom in Christ to worship as you please and my having freedom in Christ to worship as I please.
The problem you have is that you are inviting issues that caused disunity in the past to remain forceful in the present. However, many from ‘your side’ have suggested that I violate my conscience and count my guitar use in worship as sin in order to have fellowship with you. Well if it is not right for you to violate your conscience by inviting instruments into worship, then why is it right for my to violate my conscience by confessing to something the Scripture does not declare is sin?
You cannot have it both ways my friend. I’m sorry that you think roughly 85-90% of the church’s population is bound to end up in ‘damnation’. That is sad my friend.
You asked for some verses. I’ll give you two.
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” (Romans 3:28)
And…
“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:16-17)
Look, I want you to know this, and I mean it sincerely. Even though I don’t know you from Adam, I count you as my brother in Christ, saved by the same grace that has saved me, and I love you. I was not responsible for what you call the ‘wedge that introduced division.’ I wasn’t alive during that time and had nothing to do with it. But I cannot repent of something that I do not believe Scripture declares as sin. Show me where it says in SCRIPTURE: “Using an instrument is a sin,” and I will happily, and joyfully repent in the Name of Jesus. Until then, my conscience is clean and no amount of ‘you are going to hell because of it’ is going to change my heart or my mind. Only Scripture will do that.
I preach the Gospel of Christ every week and I worship God with all my heart, soul, strength, mind, tongue, hands, legs, eyes, ears, mouths, feet, and yes, a guitar. What I have always wondered is: Why can’t there be two churches, one that uses instruments, one that does not, and there be fellowship between them, and a difference of opinion concerning instruments? In my mind, this is a matter of preference and God is present in both places when worship is done in the Name of Christ Jesus OUR Lord.
Do you really think God is so small that he cannot and will not use both congregations for his glory? And even if it is a sin to use instruments, which I hold that it is not, don’t you think God’s grace is sufficient to cover that sin too? Tradition does not equal Theology.
God’s grace to you.
jerry
Yes, I am the person who started the blog churchesofchrist.wordpress.com”. but I have also given Matt and Mikey the rigth to log on and post articles. Btw, they are from the Christian church , whom also the men here will say are lost brothers. Thanks for having an open heart that isnt cold. I am not use to this from professing hyper-cons :)
Take care friend and keep me in your prayers. I will continue to visit and comment on your blog.
Randy