Why is the 'Church of Christ' sometimes called a cult?

[JB Horn]

So you'll go along with any group as long as they meet your definition of salvation....................?

We are discussing cults here not if I would join a certain church or group. There are many churches that teach the correct gospel of salvation that does not mean that I would choose them for my church.

JB

[Scarletprayers]

So you'll go along with any group as long as they meet your definition of salvation....................?

We are discussing cults here not if I would join a certain church or group. There are many churches that teach the correct gospel of salvation that does not mean that I would choose them for my church.

JB

Well if the CoC is a cult, so is the Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Church of God,...................infinity and beyond. All teach certain tenants that those groups where ever they are, usually believe pretty much the same.

[graymousey]

Thank you for every one of you for the replies. I really appreciate every input. If you know anything more, please tell me.

"We believe that the bible and our salvation is based upon more than just grace and faith since there are verses where we are commanded to follow after the commandments of Christ."

Would you mind to elaborate on this? Are you saying that salvation is not by God's grace alone through faith, but there are other things one must do in order to get saved?

Yes, I agree that all Scripture was given to us as 2 Timothy says, but what does it have to do with salvation? One is following the Scripture after one was saved, isn't that true?

"As I am aware, there are two organizations that go by the name "Church of Christ." One is a perfectly legit and doctrinally correct group of believers. The other is filled with doctrinal error and even heresy."

How can one know which is which? Is there any way to make the distinction? Are these two organizations in unity with each other?

"salvation can be lost, not just by virtue of having committed a sin, but also by leaving the Church of Christ organization:"

I didn't know this. If somebody is leaving them, do they say that 'now you are not saved any longer'? Or its just understood among themselves?

[JB Horn]

So you'll go along with any group as long as they meet your definition of salvation....................?

We are discussing cults here not if I would join a certain church or group. There are many churches that teach the correct gospel of salvation that does not mean that I would choose them for my church.

JB

Well if the CoC is a cult, so is the Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Church of God,...................infinity and beyond. All teach certain tenants that those groups where ever they are, usually believe pretty much the same.

For one the Baptist do not say that you have to be a Baptist to be saved from damnation. The Baptist do not say that salvation comes from the church or belonging to the Baptist Church. NOT SO WITH COC OR LDS.

I am talking as slow as I can. Do you understand?

IHS

JB

[Ovedya]

"As I am aware, there are two organizations that go by the name "Church of Christ." One is a perfectly legit and doctrinally correct group of believers. The other is filled with doctrinal error and even heresy."

How can one know which is which? Is there any way to make the distinction? Are these two organizations in unity with each other?

You will immediately know which one is which based upon what they believe. Established CoC members are very well indoctrinated and can be really abrasive when challenged on their doctrine.

"salvation can be lost, not just by virtue of having committed a sin, but also by leaving the Church of Christ organization:"

I didn't know this. If somebody is leaving them, do they say that 'now you are not saved any longer'? Or its just understood among themselves?

Yep. When someone leaves their organization they are viewed as being "Outside the Body of Christ," and therefore no longer saved.

Here's an article I found on the group: http://www.watchman.org/profile/bostnpro.htm

[Scarletprayers]

Well I no longer attend the CoC partially because of the doctrine of baptism, the other reasons don't matter. But I must say, I now know how the Catholics feel, when people start talking about what their faith is and isn't by people who have only "talked" to somebody that knew somebody, or read and article.

There isn't a group out there that doesn't have some incorrect doctrine, I know I've been so many churches I'm dizzy, and allot of the non-denoms are in fact just another denom with no name attached to a certain doctrine yet.

This isn't worth arguing about to me, I just wish I could find a group of believers who tried really hard to do what Christ wants them to do, and I think thats pretty much what all of us want.

[Ovedya]

Well I no longer attend the CoC partially because of the doctrine of baptism, the other reasons don't matter. But I must say, I now know how the Catholics feel, when people start talking about what their faith is and isn't by people who have only "talked" to somebody that knew somebody, or read and article.

There isn't a group out there that doesn't have some incorrect doctrine, I know I've been so many churches I'm dizzy, and allot of the non-denoms are in fact just another denom with no name attached to a certain doctrine yet.

This isn't worth arguing about to me, I just wish I could find a group of believers who tried really hard to do what Christ wants them to do, and I think thats pretty much what all of us want.

I agree with you to a point, sis. I do believe that when a group - any groups - asserts extraordinary control over its members should be warned against. I believe that by telling its members that salvation is gained by baptism in their group and then lost when one leaves it, the CoC is controlling its membership by fear.

[Scarletprayers]

I wouldn't argue with you on that Ovedya, all though I never heard it or had it said to me by anybody who actually knew what they were talking about in the CoC, of course that may be cause I didn't give them the chance. My family on the other hand has done everything but had and exorcism (good thing CoC don't believe in those) for me. I am the black sheep of the family now and until I find a church where I actually feel Christ alive and working, ya'll are stuck with me!

I guess what got my back up is..........well let me put it this way, if the name of this thread was Is the (insert your group here) a cult, every one of you would have felt the same way I did. I also don't think I deserved one of the insulting remarks made to me in this thread, but fruit of the Spirit right.

[Ovedya]

I wouldn't argue with you on that Ovedya, all though I never heard it or had it said to me by anybody who actually knew what they were talking about in the CoC, of course that may be cause I didn't give them the chance. My family on the other hand has done everything but had and exorcism (good thing CoC don't believe in those) for me. I am the black sheep of the family now and until I find a church where I actually feel Christ alive and working, ya'll are stuck with me!

I guess what got my back up is..........well let me put it this way, if the name of this thread was Is the (insert your group here) a cult, every one of you would have felt the same way I did. I also don't think I deserved one of the insulting remarks made to me in this thread, but fruit of the Spirit right.

I totally agree with you, Silentprayer.

[Vickilynn]

I wouldn't argue with you on that Ovedya, all though I never heard it or had it said to me by anybody who actually knew what they were talking about in the CoC, of course that may be cause I didn't give them the chance. My family on the other hand has done everything but had and exorcism (good thing CoC don't believe in those) for me. I am the black sheep of the family now and until I find a church where I actually feel Christ alive and working, ya'll are stuck with me!

I guess what got my back up is..........well let me put it this way, if the name of this thread was Is the (insert your group here) a cult, every one of you would have felt the same way I did. I also don't think I deserved one of the insulting remarks made to me in this thread, but fruit of the Spirit right.

Shalom SP,

I hear ya! And I agree with you.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, the OP was not calling CoC a cult, but asking why she had heard others refer to them as such.

If fact, she says that she has not found any validity to that title:

I have often heard other Christian groups refer to the 'Church of Christ' as a cult. I am wondering why, for I haven't found any valid reason so far. (I am not talking about the 'United Church of Christ' which is a completely different denomination).