What is the difference between the church of Christ and denominations? They all believe in God and Jesus, right? Todd Clippard Topic(s): Bible Study, Church, Denominationalism The differences between the church of Christ and the rest of the religious world are real and substantial. I would say our primary difference, from which all other differences arise, is in respect for the absolute authority of the Scriptures. By Scriptures, I mean the 66 books found in most of our Bibles (some Bibles contain the apocrypha and other non-authoritative works). By absolute, I mean that there is no other source of authority in religion. We believe the Bible is sufficient for all matters pertaining to life (how to live with our families and fellow man) and godliness (how to live acceptably in the eyes of God). Therefore, we reject any man-made doctrine, creed, confession, or articles of faith. Our respect for the Bible has caused us to be derided as “Bible-thumpers” and “Bibliolators” (worshipers of the Bible, though we do NOT worship the Bible). If this is the price to be paid for respecting God’s Holy Word, then so be it. Benjamin Franklin (a 19th century preacher, not the revolution-era statesman/inventor) said it this way: ‘Any creed containing more than the Bible is objectionable, because it does contain more than the Bible. Any creed containing less than the Bible is objectionable, because it does contain less than the Bible. Any creed differing from the Bible is objectionable, but it does differ from the Bible. Any creed precisely like the Bible is useless, because we have the Bible. This covers the whole ground.’ As a people, we have long strived to “speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent.” Anything else is cowardly or presumptuous. Additionally, we have considered the Bible as an unchanging document, perfectly suited for all men at all times. But some will say, “This is exactly what we believe! We only go by the Bible.” However, it is one thing to make a claim, but another altogether to prove it. Consider for a moment, how many religious bodies have a church manual, book of discipline, article of faith, or catechism? Most all of them. What purpose do these books serve? They serve only as additions to scripture and as a means to divide men religiously. In truth, men often revere their creed books more than the Bible, for when it comes time to enumerate or defend some doctrine or practice, they turn to their creed books. These creed books are subject to review and change as men see fit. Therefore, they are not comprised of objective truth. And even if they were not subject to review or change, the Bible reserves for itself the designation of objective truth in matters of spirituality (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17). Consider for a moment - could a church go solely by the Bible and call itself the Baptist Church? The Methodist Church? The Lutheran Church? etc? Such is an impossibility, for those names never appear in the pages of holy writ in reference to the church Jesus came to establish. The name church of Christ is not a denominational designation. It means the church belonging to Christ. The church belongs to Jesus (Matt 16:16-18); He died for it (Acts 20:28; Eph 5:25). Therefore, our name simply reflects our ownership (1 Cor 6:19-20). Additionally, the New Testament was given in part so people would know how to organize and conduct the affairs of the church (Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:14-15); 1 Cor 4:17; 14:33). Of the other religious bodies that do not have a creed book, most do not view the Bible as the sole authority in matters of faith and practice. Instead, they rely on their feelings, “leadings,” or claims of direct revelation. Phrases such as “the Lord appeared to me” or “the Lord spoke to me” speak volumes about one’s attitude toward the Bible. I am not suggesting for a moment that everyone who says such is dishonest (though many are), but consider the ramifications of such. Jesus promised His apostles that they would be guided “into all truth” (John 16:13). Any claim to receive a new or different teaching from that which appears in Scripture is an indictment against Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Either the Holy Spirit guided the apostles into all truth or He didn’t. If He didn’t, then Jesus lied to them. If He did, then modern-day revelations are to be rejected out of hand. Also, first-century revelation was proven Divine with miracles and accompanying signs (Mark 16:20; Heb 2:3-4). Modern-day revelators lack the power to prove their claims. Finally, some “Bible believers” are heard to say, “I wouldn’t trade this feeling in my heart for all the Bibles in the world. 1 John 5:13 teaches we can know we are saved because of the things that are written, not anything we “feel.” “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov 14:12; 16:25). Jeremiah wrote, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (17:9). Proverbs 28:26 says that he who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoso walks wisely will be delivered. The only way to walk wisely is to walk in the word of the Lord. This is a starting point for several differences between the church of Christ and other religious bodies. What is the difference between the churches of Christ and other religious bodies – part 2. Todd Clippard Topic(s): Church, Bible Study, Denominationalism It just occurred to me that I did not address the last question in your inquiry. It was, (Im paraphrasing here), Dont Baptists, Methodists, etc, believe in God, Jesus, and the Lord? You may recall in my last correspondence a statement I made concerning religious bodies who claim to accept only the Bible as their religious standard and rule of faith, It is one thing to claim it, but altogether something different to prove it. The same may be said for those who claim faith in God, Jesus Christ, etc. Allow me to cite some examples/illustrations: 1. Most professors of religion in seminaries around the country would claim to believe in Jesus, but many deny the virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-25; cf Isaiah 7:14). Others deny the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1 Cor 15:1-4, 12-20). Others deny the Bible record of the miracles performed by Jesus (and all other miracles - John 20:30-31; 21:24-25). Can one really believe in Jesus and deny these essential aspects of His life? I say No. There is, therefore, a big difference in believing Jesus existed as a genuine historical character and believing in Him as being the Son of God. 2. Some people believe in a false concept of who Jesus was. That is, the Jesus in whom they believe is not the Jesus revealed in the New Testament. It is often said that Jesus loves everyone, and thus accepts all people just as they are. While it is true that Jesus loves everyone, it does not follow that He unconditionally excepted everyone regardless of their actions. In several passages of the NT, Jesus gives a call to repentance (Matt 4:17; Luke 5:32; 13:3,5). Repentance is a change of mind leading to a change of life. Repentance requires a cessation of sinful activities with a determination to live for God. Therefore, Jesus calls upon people to change their lives before they can be accepted of Him. In other places in the NT, Jesus gives the command to Go and sin no more (John 5:14; 8:11). Anyone who believes he can live as he pleases and still be accepted as a believer in Jesus is seriously mistaken. 3. In reference to your statement concerning believing in Jesus as Lord, consider what Jesus said in Luke 6:46 - Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do the things that I say? The word Lord means Master. When Jesus is ones master, then he will do what Jesus says. Consider also Matthew 7:21-23: Not everyone who says to Me,Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! The word lawlessness means doing things that are not a part of the law of God. Obviously, the people here under consideration are religious people. However, what they are doing is not a part of the law of God, therefore it is done in vain. Jesus addressed this issue in Matthew 15:9 when He said, In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. The apostle Paul put it like this, Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Col 3:17). To do something in Jesus name is to do it by His authority. It is like in the old movies when a policeman would say Stop in the name of law, meaning, As a duly authorized official of the law, I command you to stop. This goes back to my first reply regarding adding creed books, etc., to the Bible for authority in matters of religion. I might do many good things in the name of religion, but if I dont do what God says, the way God says to do it, then it is a worthless act so far as my soul is concerned. A final example here: I have a 13 year old daughter. If I tell her to mow the grass and sweep out the carport before I get home, but instead she vacuums the house, does the dishes and washes a load of laundry, has she obeyed me? No. No matter how dirty the carpet is, no matter how high the dishes and dirty laundry are piled up, she has failed to be obedient. The same applies in matters of religion. God did not give us the Bible so we could add to it, take from it, or disregard what it says (Deut 4:2; Prov 30:6; 1 John 3:4; Rev 22:18-19). As I mentioned earlier, God gave us the Bible for a purpose. The concept of reproducing the church revealed in the NT is completely foreign to most religious people today. In Hebrews 8-9, the example of the Old Law is cited to show there is a pattern for us to follow today. The NT provides the pattern (or blueprint, if you will) for how God wants His church to be organized and conduct her affairs (cf 1 Tim 3:14-15). Failure to adhere to the God-given pattern is a failure to be the church God designed and the church for which Jesus died. In conclusion, all the groups you listed claim faith in God and Jesus Christ. However, their failure to obey and willingness to add the commands of men to their religious life reveal their lack of belief. True faith (belief) requires obedience (see Hebrews 11). This is what Jesus says. Part 1
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 09:33:57 +0000
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