Tag Archives: denomination

Christian

Pickers

Nothing inspires me to write more than hearing bad doctrine. I’ve heard it before and you may have as well, but following are some corrections to errant COC doctrines and beliefs.

The Church of Christ is a denomination, though they claim direct heritage from Christ’s day.  What makes them a denomination? They were created out of the Protestant Revolution, just like any non- Catholic church around today. They have unique doctrine, man picked from the word of God. Additionally, they have schools of preaching where new preachers are indoctrinated with their bad theology.

Singing a capella. They (the Church of Christ denomination) congratulate themselves on a regular basis for not using musical instruments. They site that there are no examples of musical instruments in the New Testament. To me it just shows lack of discernment. Play on Bertha.

There are only 9 Commandments. What? Many denominations including the Church of Christ proclaim we do not need to keep the Sabbath. I would like to respond with; ask the world over, how many Commandments are there? I think most would answer 10, not 9.

Confess your sins, just not to me. They don’t want to hear your specific sin. Just confess you’re a sinner and we’ll pray for you. The Church of Christ denomination even makes a distinction between public and private sin. There is no such distinction in the Holy Bible.

Trust in 1 John 1:9, and don’t let any preacher dissuade you from actually confessing. If you’ve sinned against someone, confess it to them, confess it to your spouse, confess it to the police, confess it on the internet.

Jesus is faithful to forgive, but only if we confess.

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Christian, Inspirational

Believing the Lie

The Church I’m attending (mainly because of my mom) hired a new preacher. He started off his first day stating that he wasn’t here to preach denominational doctrine nor doctrine he learned at the Memphis School of Preaching, but only the Bible.

Would that this were true. You can lie to me because I know the Holy Bible, but perhaps the most dangerous lie is the one you tell yourself.

This is the second young Church of Christ preacher I’ve dealt with and older preachers, though perhaps less obvious, are no different. They honestly believe they dont belong to a denomination.

How can you point out doctrinal error to the person who doesn’t think they belong to a denomination? Or tell them that their opinion is clearly reflected in the denominational doctrine they put forward as the only truth?

I’ve heard the Church of Christ referred to as a cult and have vehemently disagreed with that characterization. Nonetheless, you could describe those that cling to and promote a lie as cultish. Believing their own lie that they are not a denomination only leads to further error. They don’t believe in the power of God – to do miracles – and that is grievous denominational error based on misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:10 KJV.

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Christian, Inspirational

Denominational Deafness

I am of the opinion that most people, like myself, attend church based on parental influence. It’s hard to leave a group you’ve known since childhood. The Church of Christ I attend is given over to denominational deafness. They are no different than thousands of other churches. At the base level I think people pay for what they like to hear, comfortable words.

When people would not hear Jesus, he bluntly told them they could not hear because their father was the Devil. He said, if your father were God, you would hear me. John 8:43-47. I am not Jesus to say this of someone, but I wonder greatly. If a person is partially deaf to the truth, does that show they have given room to the Devil? What level of deafness can cause loss of salvation?

The following ways to fight deafness are crucial.

Question the actions that occur at your denomination. Are they biblical? Is their scriptural interpretation accurate?

There are only two ways that I know of to answer these questions. Study and prayer. Read the Holy Bible on your own and pray for wisdom that you may understand it.

Acts 17:11 KJV … they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

James 1:5 KJV If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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Christian, Inspirational

Hurdles

I have had a few conversations recently that disturbed me. One was that all Catholics are going to Hell. The other was that unless you’re Church of Christ you’re unrighteous.

My viewpoint is that God’s chosen, Christ’s Bride will be taken from among various denominations. These chosen are people that learn the Word and follow it. Nonetheless there are people attending certain denominations which have greater hurdles to overcome to be among those going to Heaven.

Catholics – The greatest challenge is proper baptism. Sprinkling water on babies or baptizing children with no understanding does nothing. Children must be able to understand who Jesus is. Repenting of their sins requires knowledge of sin. Proper baptism is confession of Jesus as Christ, repentance of sin, and being completely immersed in water, or baptized, by another in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Another concern is praying to Saints and Angels instead of Jesus only. Confession is appropriate, but penance in the form of repeating prayers is not scriptural.

Church of Christ – Believing in the power of God and discerning the law of Jesus. They misinterpret 1 Corinthians 13:10 to mean an end of miracles. They cannot read New Testament commands such as those found in Corinthians. Additionally, they do not understand the Lord’s Prayer, nor can they see that all the Ten Commandments are still to be followed.

Baptist – Again baptism is an issue. From my understanding they consider it a public profession of Christ. It is more than that. It is being baptized into the family of Christ and being forgiven of previous sins by his blood. They also do not offer the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.

Mormon – I am convinced there are decent Mormons, but they face a large hurdle. They follow a false prophet and a false book. I think to obtain salvation their best course would be to leave the Mormon Church.

I realize there are many more denominations, but one of the hurdles listed above probably applies.  It bothers me greatly that one denomination or preacher should say to all others – we are going to Heaven and everyone else is going to Hell. Take a good long look in the mirror. To those that have shall be given more. To those that have not, even what they think they have shall be taken away.

I do not know if people with partial deafness can make it to Heaven. Remember 1 John 1:9. It is the only opportunity for forgiveness after receiving water baptism. When you find the strength correct others with the Word. Hearing comes by the Word of God. If they do not listen, you did your part and yet remains James 5:20!

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Christian, Inspirational

The Closemindedness of Denominationalism

Today I heard a strange invitation to Bible Study, Come to our Wednesday morning Bible Study, I’m sure it will benefit you more than us.

Two things I notice right away. Your comment reveals a sense of division rather than unity and you are assuming that you know more than me.

I have noticed similar statements on TBN, Trinity Broadcasting Network, one of which was Cafe Theology. They said something like, We don’t welcome disputation of the word or argument is not welcome at our church.

That would be fine if everyone taught the truth, but the Word was given for reproof and instruction. The manner reproof is delivered can make a difference and certainly church services should be orderly.

BUT, what these statements reveal is your closemindedness. Like the scribes and Pharisees of old, you have passed learning, and everything you profess is true and correct. Jesus said that out of the treasures of our heart we speak. If you are right don’t be afraid to speak the truth. If your church group puts you out, remember likewise did the synagogues of old to those that confessed Jesus is Christ.

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