exactly what makes them diff. from Baptist.. btw.. why is it that, that they keep asking me if I am gonna convert. I go 2 their church, but I dont want 2 convert from a Baptist to a COC. I am just attending this church bc I am in college, and it would be 2 long of a drive from the place I attend college and back home. i also heard that most members there expect women to be submissive and stay at home and raise kids, and I am far from that.
2006-12-10 08:27:46 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When you compare Baptists and COCThe two are very simular, but as the question asked, let me focus on some differences.
Many Baptists churches teach one is saved before baptism.
The church of Christ recognizes that Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized SHALL BE saved". (Mark 16:16) The church of Christ teaches that baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) and to come into Christ and come into contact with his death, where the saving blood was shed (Romans 6:3-4, Gal. 3:27, Col. 2:12). (There are some "Baptists" that also teach this.)
Many Baptists teach we are saved by "faith only".
The Church of Christ recognizes that the ONLY VERSE in the Bible that uses the phrase "faith only" says that we are "justified... NOT by faith only". (James 2:24) We are not justified by works that are of ourselves (Eph 2:8-9); works we can boast of, but obediance does have a part in our salvation (Hebrews 5:9). Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt 7:21) You see, faith without works is dead being alone (James 2). (Some "Baptists" also teach this.)
Many Baptists teach that once you are saved, you cannot return to a state of being lost.
The Church of Christ teaches that God calls each of us to choose whom we will serve. (Josh 24:15) We each have free will, but there are rewards/consequences for the path we choose. (Some "Baptists" teach this also.)
Many Baptists have national headquarters or conferences that meet to decide the doctrinal position of the church.
Congregations of the church of Christ are independant. We recognize that Christ is the head and the church is his body (Eph 1:22-23). This being the case, we have no "headquarters" on earth. Rather, each congregation goes directly to the Bible to learn what we should teach and practice. The scriptures are sufficent for this purpose and we need no other authority. (2 Timothy 3:16-16, 2 Peter 1:3, Matt 28:18-20).
The question is a good one. It is tough to answer though because not all Baptist churches (Free Will, Primitive, Southern, etc.) teach the same. (The same may be said for members of the Church of Christ.)
The important thing though is, "What does the Bible say?"!!!!
In Acts 17:11, some were called "noble" because they eagerly received the word Paul preached and then searched the scripture to see if it was true! We should do this also!
The Bible says we should "all speak the same thing" and have "no divisions". (1 Corinthians 1: 10) The only way we can do this is to return to the Bible as our standard of authority. The church of Christ is trying to do this. We want authority from God's word for everything we do.
We want to leave all man-made denominational practices and simply be the church that is described in the Bible in name (Romans 16:16), practices, orginization, and teaching. We only want to speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silent, do bible things in Bible ways, and call Bible things by Bible names.
Jesus said he has "all authority" (Matt 28:18). If we follow the teachings of men or man-made denominations, then we are following the authority of men and not God. Does Jesus have ALL authority if we follow men?
Jesus said those who teach as doctrine the commandments of men have a form of worship that is vain. (Matthew 15:9)
Those who want you to convert simply want you to leave a man-made denomination and return to the church you can read about in the Bible. If the Church of Christ is not that church, tell them what doctrine they teach that is not in the Bible. Get a Bible answer (book, chapter, and verse) for your Bible questions!
If I can help, let me know, or you might visit one of these sites.
2006-12-11 13:46:50 · answer #1 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Churches of Christ often claim to be "nondenominational" because they spring from a church unity movement headed by Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone in the West (West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, etc.) during the early 1800s. They thought that it was possible to throw away all "human inventions" in the church and re-create "New Testament Christianity" just by implementing the plan found in the New Testament.
In the process, the adopted some doctrines that led the Baptists to throw them out, starting in 1830. Some of these were: Baptismal regeneration, that is, the idea that baptism actually saves you. Also, they taught that the Old Testament was almost useless for Christians because it belonged to a different "dispensation." They baptised people without administering a docrinal examination, only asking that people confess Christ.
The business about not using instruments in church was the result of a split between liberal and conservative "Disciples" and "Churches of Christ" in 1906. The conservatives thought that instruments should not be used since they are not mentioned in the New Testament.
2006-12-10 14:53:06 · answer #2 · answered by wozzeck33 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I attend a Non denomination church, and it is very Christ centered and our church is very spirit filled. Im surprised that you said the pastor of the church you attended barely mentioned Jesus, and also the music. Even though your husband may have liked that church I think it is best that you both continue to look around at different churches even if it means driving a little further. Good Luck!
2016-03-15 02:21:18 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A favorite hobby horse of the Stone/ Campbell Churches of Christ is their harping about “not being a denomination.” They condemn “denominationalism” and claim they are not a denomination, but simply the “Church of Christ.”
Well, even if they were the church of Christ, they would be a denomination.
What does “denomination” mean?
Webster gives these definitions: 1. Act of denominating or naming. 2. A name, designation, or title. 3. A class or society of individuals, called by the same name; a sect.
On every one of these points the Campbellites are a denomination. They are denominated by a name: “Church of Christ,” “Disciples of Christ,” Christian Church.” They are also distinguished as a denomination by their doctrines.
Furthermore, they have definite bounds to their religious associations, recognizing only groups of like faith, thus they are a particular “class” or “society.”
It is just another appeal to ignorance for Campbellites to try and pan off the notion they are not a distinct religious denomination. Actually, they are one of the most rigidly sectarian denomination in existence, often teaching that outside their religious movement, there is no salvation!
To illustrate their sectarian character, if you believe exactly as they believe, but used a piano instead of a tuning fork, it is often taught that you would go to hell, or if you wore “Christian” on the church building instead of “Church of Christ,” you would likewise perish!
2014-05-01 12:21:42 · answer #4 · answered by D. DeVries 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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As a Christian Preacher my advice is for you to try it for several weeks and see what happens. It is a different type of Church than that which you are accustomed to. The women Pastors (?) are preaching under the authority of the Senior pastor.
2016-04-11 05:57:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
interesting. I was raised baptist but my step dad was CoC.
CoC doesn't belive in having musical instruments in church- all acapella. Also some Baptists are allowing women to be preachers nowdays, CoC doesn't allow that at all(per the Bible). You are right to some extent. CoC does try to adhere more to Biblical law as far as family structure and women's role in the church. Baptists have kept more with the changing times, disposing of many Biblical laws. Baptists also believe ,"once saved, always saved." CoC believes that a person can revoke God after accepting Jesus as L&S. CoC does not discourage women from working.
2006-12-10 08:35:30 · answer #6 · answered by Red Winged Bandit 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have in-laws that belong to Church of Christ. My experience with them is that they are a lot like Jehovah's Witnesses. They believe they alone will be going to Heaven. They do not believe wine is allowed, even when I pointed out that Jesus turned water into wine. They believe you are saved by good works and not by God's Grace and Mercy. They really do interpret the Bible in their own unique way. Please do not convert. Look around for some other churches in your area. Good luck.
2006-12-10 08:41:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
No,Church of Christ is a denomination.As for their rules about women,I'm not sure.I know that the Church is more of a 'traditional' church,and therefore more likely to promote being a stay-at-home mum,but I know several female Church of Christ members that have kids and a job.
2006-12-10 08:37:05 · answer #8 · answered by Serena 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it would be proper to call them their own denomination. Why are they asking you to convert? It sounds like you have some "misconceptions" from their perspective in your Christian upbringing. You will only know for sure when you ask the next person who asks you that.
2006-12-10 08:32:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
women should be submissive once they're married just as men should be submissive to god, according to the bible. staying home and raising kids are just made up by our society.
2006-12-10 08:47:29 · answer #10 · answered by itsjeremy6 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋