I'm Apostolic and have a friend who's Church of Christ. He wants me to visit his church. Any advice?

Question

I am Apostolic, was raised in the Apostolic church, but lately I just feel like I dont belong there, and I do know from my friend that the Church of Christ is almost exact opposite in beliefs.

Has anyone been to both churches , and what do you think about each.

I haven't been to church much in the last month, and now everyone and their brother is calling me wondering where I am at.

I like the Apostolic church, dont get me wrong, just dont feel like I belong there anymore.

I am to the point now I dont know what to do. Stay where I am or find somthing new.

Answer 1

Actually, the Apostolics and the Church of Christ are not that different. The Church of Christ definitely believes in holiness living, baptism as necessary for salvation, and the idea that they are the ones going to heaven. I don't believe all that they do...in fact, I think they have some odd beliefs. They do not use musical insturments in church, they have communion at every Sunday morning service, and they think you fall in and out of salvation everytime you sin. Hope that helped.

Answer 2

If you wan't to know what the church of Christ teaches, I suggest you contact that congregation. Ask about a Bible Correspondance Course. Most congregations offer one. They are free and you can study them at your own pace in the privacy of your own home.
If the local congregation does not offer the correspondance courses, they should be able to send you free information about the church, or almost any bible subject. Or, e-mail me and I will either give you a link where you can find the information or I will give you an address so you can contact a church.
If you want to know what someone believes, it is better to get the information from them. Someone else might not correctly understand what the church teaches, so they may pass that misunderstanding along.
Most importantly, no matter what anyone teaches, be as those in Acts 17:11 and compare it to the scriptures.

(Also, I assume when you said "church of Christ", you were talking about the ones simply known as "church of Christ" and not the "United" c-o-c, the "International" c-o-c, or the "Church of Christ Scientists". These all have very simular names, and because of this, they are often confused, but they teach VERY different things.)

Answer 3

I do not know the Apostolic church, but the Church of Christ has dramatically changed in the past few years. They used to be very conservative, almost legalistic. Absolutely no music allowed in the church-not even a piano. They still do not allow music but now openly accept gays in the pew and in the pulpit.
If you are in the US, there are many good churches. I have recently found the Calvary Chapel. It is a hybrid church combining Maranatha type music with verse by verse Bible teaching.

Answer 4

You probably won't find it as "exciting" experientially, but go ahead and visit. You have access to a Bible. See if what you find lines up with what Scripture says a church should be. I find the C.o.C. folks are pretty happy to field any questions you have about "Why do you do this or that?"
I *am* sort of curious about why you don't feel you belong at the Apostolic church.

Answer 5

Not knowing how relationships are at your church, you may feel left out because you don' t join in enough. I was always a bit shy about that myself. So I seldom volunteered to help with church functions. After awhile the elders and deacons begin asking me to help as a way to get me involved. It worked, helping out made me feel included.

On the other hand, do you feel God is pulling you away from the church or that something is pushing you away?
The difference is that God leads, and satan pushes.

Your Apostolic church has an accurate bible based theology. You would be wise to get on your knees, pray sincerely and ask God to guide your decision as to whether you should go or stay.

I looked at the main website and at Wikipedia and it seems to me your church has its heart in the right place. Baptism by immersion, tithing, repentance, gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc. You could do worse elsewhere.

May I recommend you speak to an elder you are comfortable with, tell him what you are really sensing and see what he says. Maybe once he knows what is going on in your life he can help. After all, that IS the Christian way.

As a boy I went to so many different churches I can' t name them all. My parents moved six times from 1949 to 1960. Dad usually had the car at work or he went fishing. Mom and I would walk to the closest church. So, I got a broad spectrum of teachings as I grew up. I think it has helped me to be open minded toward religion and theology. I do not believe I was "lost" when I was in any one of those churches. I was just a kid searching for answers and I firmly believe that if I had died at about age ten, or even sixteen, I would have been saved.

I have a friend at work who goes to church on Sunday to the church he grew up with, But on Wednesday he goes to a different one to have fellowship with people who make him feel heaven bound. He can't bring himself to leave his childhood church, but it doesn't give him the love and feeling of brotherhood he craves so he goes to a different faith to get it!

Churches I have been to;
Evangelical United Brethren, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian. There were more, but I can' t remember them all. Sometimes there would be two or three churches within walking distance so we would try them all!

I felt the presence of God in all of those churches. In each one there were people seeking a close relationship with God and that is good no matter what differences in theology they may have. So long as a person is searching, and has an open mind, I am certain they are saved. They might be missing a point some other church has, but until they have rejected truth they will not be lost because of some tiny technicality. The God I have come to love does NOT work that way.

Ask God to help you understand, and trust Him to lead you. NOT worldly friends, NOT just feelings, NOT politics. Look only to Jesus for wisdom and you will do well.

AMEN.......

Answer 6

Church of Christ is usually very peaceful worship. I'm not sure what you're used to.

I went to a Baptist church for the early part of my childhood, then switched to Church of Christ. But, I've visited different Churches of Christ who do things much differently than we did where I spent the bulk of my time.

It never hurts to try something new and see if you feel more comfortable there. But you should also agree with the teachings if you're going to attend the church.

Answer 7

Never been to an Apostolic church and really don't know the beliefs.

I go to a nondenomination church and I love it. Pretty straight forward and with the word.

Try it and see what you think.
We were meant to take risks. If you don't like it, you can always go back to the Apostolic or search for another.
Either way, you are seeking God and knowledge, so go for it!

Answer 8

I went to a Church of Christ and it was fundamentalist. I'm sticking with the Swedenborgian denomination.

Answer 9

Try something new for a change.
Go to your friend's church just to get a different view.
See if you like it.
you never know, you could end up likeing it alot more than ur other church.........if you dont like her church either, try different churches

Answer 10

i thinks gods is trying to lead you in another church and in his will i think you should give it a try aint gonna kill ya if you dont like it you can always try another one till you feel the one your most comfortablt with speaking of this i need to do the same thing