I just read Mark Linley’s link on “What is the Church of Christ?” and I am curious to hear someone’s thought on this question I have…
I am not a member of a labeled Church of Christ, but a non-denominational church… (although I understand that COC is not to be considered denominational) so according to the write up, I am considered part of the true Church of Christ,even though my church does not use that technical affiliation, correct? Our church has a solely biblical foundation and we believe also in the repentance and remission of sins and public confession of Christ through baptism. So to better word my question…Do you consider me part of the true Church of Christ, someone who will inherit the Kingdom of God?
Thanks, my question is in no way argumentative, only curious!
The term “church of Christ” is just that – a term or description and not a “Name” – the Bible does not give the church a name, but it describes it as being “of God” and “of Christ” and other things.
While the “signboard over the door” is useful and convenient to us poor folks with limited attention spans and other ailments, the signboard doesn’t tell us who (or what) meets inside.
If an ekklesia (congregation) of baptized believers who are faithfully following the Word of God in their daily lives (as well as in their worship) and are conducting and organizing themselves in accordance with the New Testament, they are a church of God, a church of Christ. They may identify themselves as simply as the “church meeting in City X” or the “church meeting at the Corner of 5th and Main” or just “the church” – God does not command or forbid such. But if the church adopts and demands a name – it has denominated itself: whether that name is found in the Bible, just as Paul warned about in the letters to the Corinthians. Whether it is naming itself for a doctrine (the “Bible Church”) or a method of organization (the “Presbyterian Church”) or in honor of a man (the “Lutheran Church” or the “Wesleyan Church”) or something else: “Apostolic Church” or “Methodist Church” or “Friends Church” – it is declaring itself to be something other than just plain God’s church or Christ’s church, as found in the New Testament. Sadly, some who DO meet behind a signboard saying “Church of Christ” or “Assembly of Christ” or “Assembly of God” or “Church of God” or other biblical names demonstrate that they are NOT really Christ’s followers because either they demand “This name or else” or because what they do is NOT in accordance with the Scriptures.
It is not important whether I or any other human consider you to be “part of the true Church of Christ, someone who will inherit the Kingdom of God.” What is important is whether God considers you part of His Son’s Church, his Son’s Kingdom. You and I will each answer individually as to how we believe in Him, whether our faith is saving (active and obedient) faith, and whether our lives are lived faithful to Him in what we live, speak, sing, do, and believe.
Dr Daniel Featley was an adversary of the Lord’s Church in the 1600s, who wrote against them. He was an Anglican theologian of some renown and on the translation committee of the King James Bible.
From the Rev. Featley, a witness to existence of the church in the early seventeenth century, is someone from whom we learn about the church in
that period. He wrote about the church before and during the time some apostatised into Calvinism and later, became the forerunners of the Baptist denominations.
To learn more of the Anglican divine and his opposition to the people of God, Dr Featey, please visit:
Wow Matt, your article, “The need for balance” really struck a chord with me today. Especially this paragraph,
“At the same time, a refusal to address religious misconceptions is unacceptable, in spite of the ever-present potential for controversy. While at times unpleasant, we do no one any favors by ignoring issues which compromise the salvation of their soul. A true friend seeks the good of his neighbor, even if he must endure temporary pain to achieve it.”
I must say it is not popular to explain Hebrew idioms to western Christians. You know me from the BF forum and how my eastern Christianity is only acceptable to them when it agrees with them. I endure the pain they bring when explaining our Lord with their circular reasoning of literal words of scripture in the bloody manner they are accustom to. And tho not often I still am compelled, knowing I will suffer the consequences, to try to reach them and perhaps one may hear the truth.
As Christians our message is not one of blood or guilt, but love and obedience. If they ever learn one thing, it should be that the “blood of the lamb” Hebrew idiom only means “will to do the will of God”.
Ironically to your articles title, a book titled “The Mountain of Silence”, written by a sociologist, would go a long way in explaining things for them.
I’m the judge of no one. Yet to ignore plain facts becomes an art of deception. Just present the facts honestly and let God do the rest, as He maintains our balance.
We have recently encountered a woman who has never been married and in her 30′s.
She lives in her own house, pays her own bills, but she and her father are of the belief that she is under her domain until she marries.
They use the cultural examples of the Old Testament, that a woman stayed with her father until marriage. They turn the cultural aspect into a religious one.
Is their anything in scriptures about this? I have not found it if there is.
I have used the defense that we are all free moral agents that have to answer for our own selves after we become of age but, that is about all i know to tell her.
Excellent website! I came across the link in BN.com.
As a Preacher of the gospel I find these kinds of links a great way to keep a finger on the pulse of the brotherhood. I now have you bookmarked under favorites and will look forward to reading more in the days to come. Earl http://www.38thcoc.org
Last year you blogged about Quail Springs Church of Christ in Edmond, Oklahoma and the changes the church was going through by adding instrumental music to their service. While attending school nearby I had a few classmates who were members of the church and I recently bumped into them again and they told me that Quail is now in turmoil again as Mark Henderson, the pulpit minister, had suddenly decided to step down. I don’t know any details but I was curious what your thoughts were on the current situation and how making such a controversial decision can still have a negative influence on a church several years later. I just don’t see how a church’s leadership can allow something as insignificant as music to tear its membership apart.
Daniel Marsh
6539 Linville drive
Brighton, MI 48116-9531 USA
Dear Sir/Ms, I think your archaeology web site is cool. I am hoping there are some books on Archaeology as it relates to the Bible floating around anywhere that I may have, please. I am unemployed due to unpaid care giving responsibilities and due to serious health problems – cancer, degenerative bone disease.
Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ Here is a quaterly magazine avilable in English for Indian readers specially to preachers bible teachers and bible school studcents even though it is a Internatinal magazine it is printed and published in India for Indian reachers. for your sample copy send a reply by email with your full address (postal mail)
I would like to request the usa supporting congrications for India to give the address of your supporting prachers in India so we can send them a copy for thier bible sutdy purpose the name of the Magazine is THE VOICE OF THRUTH INTERNATIONAL (from usa) with thanks and love
the7ones.com Digital Media Group
I just read Mark Linley’s link on “What is the Church of Christ?” and I am curious to hear someone’s thought on this question I have…
I am not a member of a labeled Church of Christ, but a non-denominational church… (although I understand that COC is not to be considered denominational) so according to the write up, I am considered part of the true Church of Christ,even though my church does not use that technical affiliation, correct? Our church has a solely biblical foundation and we believe also in the repentance and remission of sins and public confession of Christ through baptism. So to better word my question…Do you consider me part of the true Church of Christ, someone who will inherit the Kingdom of God?
Thanks, my question is in no way argumentative, only curious!
Kristina
Dear Kristina:
The term “church of Christ” is just that – a term or description and not a “Name” – the Bible does not give the church a name, but it describes it as being “of God” and “of Christ” and other things.
While the “signboard over the door” is useful and convenient to us poor folks with limited attention spans and other ailments, the signboard doesn’t tell us who (or what) meets inside.
If an ekklesia (congregation) of baptized believers who are faithfully following the Word of God in their daily lives (as well as in their worship) and are conducting and organizing themselves in accordance with the New Testament, they are a church of God, a church of Christ. They may identify themselves as simply as the “church meeting in City X” or the “church meeting at the Corner of 5th and Main” or just “the church” – God does not command or forbid such. But if the church adopts and demands a name – it has denominated itself: whether that name is found in the Bible, just as Paul warned about in the letters to the Corinthians. Whether it is naming itself for a doctrine (the “Bible Church”) or a method of organization (the “Presbyterian Church”) or in honor of a man (the “Lutheran Church” or the “Wesleyan Church”) or something else: “Apostolic Church” or “Methodist Church” or “Friends Church” – it is declaring itself to be something other than just plain God’s church or Christ’s church, as found in the New Testament. Sadly, some who DO meet behind a signboard saying “Church of Christ” or “Assembly of Christ” or “Assembly of God” or “Church of God” or other biblical names demonstrate that they are NOT really Christ’s followers because either they demand “This name or else” or because what they do is NOT in accordance with the Scriptures.
It is not important whether I or any other human consider you to be “part of the true Church of Christ, someone who will inherit the Kingdom of God.” What is important is whether God considers you part of His Son’s Church, his Son’s Kingdom. You and I will each answer individually as to how we believe in Him, whether our faith is saving (active and obedient) faith, and whether our lives are lived faithful to Him in what we live, speak, sing, do, and believe.
I really like your website, and especially appreciate the wonderful study material.
May I suggest a slight improvement? Just a little more margin on the left side of the screen would improve readability, (at least for me).
Thanks again for your excellent work!
Dear brethren,
Dr Daniel Featley was an adversary of the Lord’s Church in the 1600s, who wrote against them. He was an Anglican theologian of some renown and on the translation committee of the King James Bible.
From the Rev. Featley, a witness to existence of the church in the early seventeenth century, is someone from whom we learn about the church in
that period. He wrote about the church before and during the time some apostatised into Calvinism and later, became the forerunners of the Baptist denominations.
To learn more of the Anglican divine and his opposition to the people of God, Dr Featey, please visit:
http://churches-of-christ.ws/featley.htm
Brotherly, Keith Sisman
http://Traces-of-the-Kingdom.org.uk
Wow Matt, your article, “The need for balance” really struck a chord with me today. Especially this paragraph,
“At the same time, a refusal to address religious misconceptions is unacceptable, in spite of the ever-present potential for controversy. While at times unpleasant, we do no one any favors by ignoring issues which compromise the salvation of their soul. A true friend seeks the good of his neighbor, even if he must endure temporary pain to achieve it.”
I must say it is not popular to explain Hebrew idioms to western Christians. You know me from the BF forum and how my eastern Christianity is only acceptable to them when it agrees with them. I endure the pain they bring when explaining our Lord with their circular reasoning of literal words of scripture in the bloody manner they are accustom to. And tho not often I still am compelled, knowing I will suffer the consequences, to try to reach them and perhaps one may hear the truth.
As Christians our message is not one of blood or guilt, but love and obedience. If they ever learn one thing, it should be that the “blood of the lamb” Hebrew idiom only means “will to do the will of God”.
Ironically to your articles title, a book titled “The Mountain of Silence”, written by a sociologist, would go a long way in explaining things for them.
I’m the judge of no one. Yet to ignore plain facts becomes an art of deception. Just present the facts honestly and let God do the rest, as He maintains our balance.
Nice article.
Peace be with you.
Matt,
Have you abandoned the conversation at Todd Deaver’s site?
We have recently encountered a woman who has never been married and in her 30′s.
She lives in her own house, pays her own bills, but she and her father are of the belief that she is under her domain until she marries.
They use the cultural examples of the Old Testament, that a woman stayed with her father until marriage. They turn the cultural aspect into a religious one.
Is their anything in scriptures about this? I have not found it if there is.
I have used the defense that we are all free moral agents that have to answer for our own selves after we become of age but, that is about all i know to tell her.
Matt,
I have been looking over the site and I am impressed with the amount of information here.
I have also enjoyed reading your responses to topics and debates on the BibleDataBase forum.
God Bless
Cliff
Member
Valley View Church of Christ
Jonesboro Ar.
Hey Matt,
You ask me to let you know when our next meeting was so I thought I would do just that.
http://www.valleyviewchurchofchrist.org/
If you have opportunity bring as many as you can.
God Bless
Cliff H.
p.s. I am starting to gain a little confidence but I still may need your input whent the regulars get to this thread. HA!
http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/showthread.php?t=159848
Excellent website! I came across the link in BN.com.
As a Preacher of the gospel I find these kinds of links a great way to keep a finger on the pulse of the brotherhood. I now have you bookmarked under favorites and will look forward to reading more in the days to come. Earl
http://www.38thcoc.org
Last year you blogged about Quail Springs Church of Christ in Edmond, Oklahoma and the changes the church was going through by adding instrumental music to their service. While attending school nearby I had a few classmates who were members of the church and I recently bumped into them again and they told me that Quail is now in turmoil again as Mark Henderson, the pulpit minister, had suddenly decided to step down. I don’t know any details but I was curious what your thoughts were on the current situation and how making such a controversial decision can still have a negative influence on a church several years later. I just don’t see how a church’s leadership can allow something as insignificant as music to tear its membership apart.
http://the7ones.com/2009/02/16/archaeology-and-the-date-of-the-exodus/
Daniel Marsh
6539 Linville drive
Brighton, MI 48116-9531 USA
Dear Sir/Ms, I think your archaeology web site is cool. I am hoping there are some books on Archaeology as it relates to the Bible floating around anywhere that I may have, please. I am unemployed due to unpaid care giving responsibilities and due to serious health problems – cancer, degenerative bone disease.
Thanks for Listening and Praying
Daniel Marsh
Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ Here is a quaterly magazine avilable in English for Indian readers specially to preachers bible teachers and bible school studcents even though it is a Internatinal magazine it is printed and published in India for Indian reachers. for your sample copy send a reply by email with your full address (postal mail)
I would like to request the usa supporting congrications for India to give the address of your supporting prachers in India so we can send them a copy for thier bible sutdy purpose the name of the Magazine is THE VOICE OF THRUTH INTERNATIONAL (from usa) with thanks and love