Baptists and Churches of Christ (three gracEmails)
I beg the indulgence of readers who are not associated with Baptist churches or Churches of Christ, as we look in three gracEmails at those two groups of Christians, both particularly populous and highly competitive throughout the southern United States.
Churches of Christ and baptism
A New Zealander writes, "I was wondering what statements of faith are held to by Churches of Christ. Down here they strike me as pretty odd. They believe in baptismal regeneration and consequently not in the baptism in the Spirit (which is what I call regeneration)."
origin of a baptismal tradition (two gracEmails)
"Why," various readers have inquired, "do Churches of Christ emphasize baptism 'for the remission of sins,' as if that were its only biblical meaning?"
A gracEmail subscriber writes: "Over thirty years ago I left the Baptist church to enter into a new relationship with our Lord through the Church of Christ and a new baptism. Today I feel like the leaders have betrayed me and others of like belief. To suggest that one is saved before baptism . . . is to leave the old paths. . . ."
Thomas Campbell -- founding father
After I had referred to Thomas Campbell as "a founder of my own modern-day Churches of Christ," a gracEmail subscriber responded: "Thomas Campbell never was, will be or claimed to be a founder of any church of Christ. It is Jesus' [church] . . . and I hope you will be man enough to print a retraction."
the crux of the matter: book review
The Churches of Christ (CoC) once . . . were a uniform body with a clear sense of identity. That time has now passed. Today this fellowship . . . stands at an historical crossroads, with competing voices echoing from many would-be guides.
A gracEmaiI subscriber writes: "I am considering worshipping with a nearby Baptist congregation. However, I keep thinking about the Scriptures that refer to churches as Churches of Christ, Churches of God, Assemblies of God, etc. Where does that leave people ... with other names such as Calvary Baptist Church?"
is 'Church of Christ' a denomination?
A correspondent asks, "What is a denomination?" and "Is the church of Christ one?"
those church of Christ liberals
Bob writes from New York . . . He wants to know where I stand "in terms of the Gospel plan of Salvation, who are the saved, is denominational baptism valid, and denominational fellowshipping among the Lord's church." He closes with the explanation, "I must test the spirits out, if you know what I mean."
A Baptist sister writes, "I was married to a member of the Church of Christ and these gracEmails don't sound like the same denomination -- or has the Church of Christ changed?
why serve among Churches of Christ?
Various gracEmail subscribers ask why I am connected with the Churches of Christ instead of some other Christian tribe or movement. They ask for different reasons, depending on their own experience and perspective.
are Churches of Christ evangelical?
A subscriber asks whether Churches of Christ are classified among "evangelical" Christians. He quotes a Churches of Christ seminary professor who says they are not . . .
Someone recently lamented that many in the Churches of Christ were turning to "fuzzy-headed evangelicalism," suggesting by this label that such a transformation might be less than desirable. In response, please allow this personal confession.
In this increasingly post-denominational age, historic Christian groups often struggle to maintain their distinctive identities within the broader Christian church ... This ... is particularly ironic in my context, however, since the Churches of Christ ... ostensibly reject denominationalism, oppose human creeds and champion . . . individual conscience and the autonomy of local congregations.
A composite of ... gracEmail subscribers says: "I think you are a bit far-out to be a representative of the Churches of Christ. You seem always to be kicking the walls of what is generally accepted within the brotherhood. . . . Do you really think some other group has the truth? If so, why don't you join it and leave us alone?"
A couple with roots in the Churches of Christ write that, while they love that fellowship, they no longer fit and feel compelled to go elsewhere. This thought makes them both sad and fearful, and they ask if I can offer any advice.
A brother in Singapore hears some persons urge that we should "follow the old paths" and resist changes in the church. He asks what Scripture says that and in what context. "Is there an 'old path' for us Christians today?"
the restoration movement vision
A gracEmail subscriber notes the divisions among Churches of Christ .... This subscriber asks whether the vision of this particular Restoration Movement is even viable, or if it is inherently self-destructive and doomed to failure.
A gracEmaiI subscriber writes: “Only a few years ago did I learn of so many branches in our Restoration Movement heritage. That grieves me severely because it is contradicts Jesus' prayer for unity. Can you tell me how these divisions started?"
sects, denominations and Christ's church
A brother suggests that the mainstream of congregations calling themselves Churches of Christ are either a "sect" or "denomination," but that his associates (whose sign says "church of Christ") escape both those categories.
something against churches of Christ?
A dear gracEmail subscriber writes, "I have been receiving your mail for almost a month now. I get the picture that you have something against the churches of Christ. Is that so? If it is, why?"