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

[Guest]

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Baptism for the remission of sins is the one that is required for salvation.

Amen Brother Amen!

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

[Sherman]

I believe that the CoC is considered by some to be a "cult" (I do not agree) because many in the CoC believe and express that they are the only true Christians and others who do not believe almost exactly as they do are not Christians. They thus separate themselves from the greater body of Christ, not recognizing others as brothers and sisters in Christ. Of course, this attitude is not unique to the CoC, but some in almost every other denomination or non-denomination have the same attitude. They pick a couple of pet doctrines that differ with almost all other denominations and hold to those doctrines so tightly that they separate themselves from the greater body of Christ and thus border on becoming a "cult."

The primary Unusual (not shared by the greater body of Christ) Pet Doctrines for the CoC would be:

1. Believer water baptism by immersion FOR the forgiveness of sins.

2. Musical instruments not acceptable for corporate worship.

3. Church structure -- independent local congregations with a plurality of elders who are married and have a plurality of children, etc.

Concerning water baptism, many denominations practice some sort of baptism, but few emphasize it in exactly the same way.

Concerning musical insturments, most use some type of musical instruments in their corporate and individual worship. And even many CoC members use instruments in their personal worship and even in corporate non-official worship. And many even use a pitch-pipe (a musical instrument) in corporate worship; they just don't sing at the same time they use the pitch-pipe.

Concerning church structure, because of the lack of specific guidelines in the NT the CoC relies on Examples in the early church, but such examples are not specific or well explained. Not only that, but they also do not recognize or facilitate the ministries of apostles or prophets, and few, if any, evangelists. The only ones they use are pastors and teachers, and pastors are equated with "elders".

[AnotherTraveler]

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.

Please point out the group that does not get abrasive when you challange them on their doctrines.

Every church group that is different from another group has faced the "cult" term.

Paul freely admitted that after the way that they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things that are written in the law and prophets....

[Scarletprayers]

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.

Please point out the group that does not get abrasive when you challange them on their doctrines.

Every church group that is different from another group has faced the "cult" term.

Paul freely admitted that after the way that they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things that are written in the law and prophets....

Agreed, everybody one is so open minded until somebody brings up the group they belong too...............oh but thats different!

[eric]

Okay, I don't believe that speaking in tongues is a sign of being baptised in the holy spirit and to me, being slain in the spirit is no way biblical. So does that make the charismatic pentecostals a cult,.......I shouldn't think so.

I don't believe in eternal security or OSAS either, So does that make the baptists a cult......Can't see it.

The CoC believe that Jesus Christ is the living Son of the living God, without whom there is no salvation and anything else they believe is on their heads not mine. I don't believe some of the practices of the RCC line 100% with the bible, but I wouldn't fall out with our catholic brethren over it. The same goes for any denomination.

Before anyone pulls the heresy card, best be able to back it up.

[Scarletprayers]

Okay, I don't believe that speaking in tongues is a sign of being baptised in the holy spirit and to me, being slain in the spirit is no way biblical. So does that make the charismatic pentecostals a cult,.......I shouldn't think so.

I don't believe in eternal security or OSAS either, So does that make the baptists a cult......Can't see it.

The CoC believe that Jesus Christ is the living Son of the living God, without whom there is no salvation and anything else they believe is on their heads not mine. I don't believe some of the practices of the RCC line 100% with the bible, but I wouldn't fall out with our catholic brethren over it. The same goes for any denomination.

Before anyone pulls the heresy card, best be able to back it up.

Amen eric....... ........and since I'm one of those nasty CoC's...........what does that say about all of the comments of "closed minded and a cult" I find it interesting that those that ARE CoC aren't listened too, but those that "know" someone, who knows someone are.............so basically some people are only listening to the ones that feed into their already preconceived ideas.

[eric]

You are so right Sis. I think it's called gossip,

[ArtistforChrist]

hello All,

While we cannot lump all Chuches of Christ togather, there are some that stray from mainline teachings.

Baptism is NOT necessary for Salvation because it is a WORK, Salvation is a free Gift to all who recieve it, apart from works, it is Only an Evidence of Salvation. Read in Acts were Peter went to the Gentiles and they recieved the Holy Spirit BEFORE being Baptised. Every Beleiver Should be baptised, but it is not a requirment for salvation.

Using Intruments is no where in the NT forbidden, and in the OT clearly said to be used in worship, read The Pslams, Pslam 150 talks a lot about using intruments.

Some CoCs say YOU MUST be part of thier Church, that they are the only TRUE church in any given town or city, and you must be disicipled and baptised in their Church, and if you leave you are an aposate. Those are the ones that are cults.

Thanks all and God Bless,

ArtistforChrist

[Sherman]

We already know this and has been pointed out many times. Please refer back to the post where I addressed some of these issues.

Ooops, must have missed it. Of course, it doesn't hurt to restate things in a different way; I think.

[ArtistforChrist]

Sherman,

Ok, sorry, just read parts of the thread, some things just jumped out, thought I respond.

ArtistforChrist <><