Is the Church of Christ a Christian Church?
Some Christians believe that the Church of Christ promotes
non-biblical teachings and practices. Is the Church of Christ a Christian
church?
The Church of Christ movement originally
arose in the hopes of promoting unity among all Christians, but it eventually
ended up separating itself from other Christian groups. Although the
Church of Christ movement is basically Christian, it's difficult not
to categorize certain factions as aberrant because of some of their
more extreme doctrines and practices.
Of all its beliefs, the Church of Christ movement
is perhaps best known for its view that water baptism is absolutely
essential for salvation. This is no doubt a "sub-biblical" view of baptism.
Acts 10:44-48, for example, records that Gentiles were filled with the
Holy Spirit (and therefore saved) before they were baptized. Water baptism
is certainly a normal part of becoming a Christian and a member of the
church; nevertheless, it's still possible to be saved without having
been baptized -- especially when circumstances make baptism very difficult
if not impossible (cf. Luke 23:39-43). Now, some of the more extreme
factions within the Church of Christ movement go even further, and argue
that anyone who views baptism differently from them is not a Christian
and is, therefore, lost -- even if that person has been baptized!
There are also reports that heavy-handed tactics
are employed by a number of more extremist groups within the Church
of Christ. The Boston Movement, for example, which evolved from a similar
movement at the Crossroads Church of Christ, is probably the most well-known
of these authoritarian groups. Both movements were rejected by the mainline
Churches of Christ. This particular group goes so far as to say that
other segments of the Church of Christ movement are non-Christian and
will face eternal damnation. And so, while the Church of Christ movement
is orthodox in many of the essentials of the faith, it is plagued with
a very loud segment whose views are so extreme that developing any type
of Christian fellowship with them becomes almost an impossible task.
But remember, don't throw the baby out with the bath water; there are
many within the Church of Christ movement who are committed Christians.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Available through CRI is a
Fact Sheet on the various groups and beliefs within the Church of Christ
(DO600/$0.25). We also have articles entitled, "The Boston Church of
Christ" (DC610/$0.25) and "At What Price Success? The Boston (Church
of Christ) Movement" (DC615/$1). On the Authoritarian abuses within
the Crossroads movement, we recommend "Dispelling the Myths! Psychological
Consequences of Cultic Involvement" (DC950/$0.25). On water baptism,
we recommend "Bringing Baptism into Biblical Balance" by Hank Hanegraaff
(DB040/$0.25) and our statement "Baptism and Salvation" (DB045/$0.25).
These resources are available through CRI. For shipping and handling
information, please call CRI or refer to our Resource Listing. To place
a credit card order, call toll-free (888) 7000-CRI. To receive a free
copy of our Resource Listing, fax us at (949) 858-6111 or write us with
your request at PO Box 7000, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-7000.
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