Church of Christ help

[awfulthings9]

I’m in conversation with a member of a non-instrumental Church of Christ. While I’ve made myself pretty familiar with their doctrines and methodology, I have a couple questions I’m hoping someone can help with.

First off, does anyone know if the Church of Christ generally uses some form of a laying on of hands in “ordaining” ministers. I know there would be no apostolic succession, but I’m wondering if the laying on of hands is part of the process.

Secondly, none of our local Church of Christ churches require women to wear head coverings. While we don’t either, we also don’t claim the same “speak where Scripture speaks and be silent where Scripture is silent” method. I want to use this as an example of a “discipline” found in Scripture - something that wasn’t meant to be bound on the faithful throughout the future of the church.

Anyone know of other examples of such inconsistencies (besides obviously Catholic doctrines like the true presense, etc.?

Does anyone know if Church of Christ preachers ever use an annointing of oils for the sick as explained in James?

Thanks in advance.

 

[NotWorthy]

They don’t believe in the efficacy of Sacraments, so I seriously doubt that they annoint with oil.

I’ll check my source and see if they have the laying on of hands.

Oh yeah, and ask him where in the bible it says, “Thou shalt use Power Points during your Church Service”! That always kills me.

Notworthy

 

[montanaman]

NotWorthy:

They don’t believe in the efficacy of Sacraments, so I seriously doubt that they annoint with oil.

I’ll check my source and see if they have the laying on of hands.

Oh yeah, and ask him where in the bible it says, “Thou shalt use Power Points during your Church Service”! That always kills me.

Notworthy

Never underestimate the efficacy of 10 massive plasma displays with Power Point presentations. On the Nintendo generation, they have a 95% success rate.

 

[awfulthings9]

NotWorthy:

They don’t believe in the efficacy of Sacraments, so I seriously doubt that they annoint with oil.

I’ll check my source and see if they have the laying on of hands.

Oh yeah, and ask him where in the bible it says, “Thou shalt use Power Points during your Church Service”! That always kills me.

Notworthy

They may not believe in the efficacy of the Sacraments exactly as we do, but they do believe in the necessity of baptism - that God works through the act, itself. I imagine, because they take Scripture so literally, that they take the same vew on the annointing since James states it so clearly. But I’m not sure, hence my asking here.

Regarding the Power Point, I realize you were being facetious, but it is a little hypocritical that they look down on the instrumental folks for using an “aid” for their music, but don’t mind such an “aid” for their sermons.

 

[Fredricks]

The Church of Christ does lay hands.
I do not know if they anoint with oils.
When asked about head coverings, they believe that was because of a cultural situation particular to Corinth itself. I do not think you will make much headway with that.
The oil though…possibly.
Fredricks

PS You know, one rabid we are right and everyone else is wrong group does more to damage Protestant unity(which is not an oxymoron, I know what you are thinking) than all of the odd, almost cult like groups. Its not that I disagree with their theology about most things, its just how they do it.

 

[awfulthings9]

Fredricks:

The Church of Christ does lay hands.
I do not know if they anoint with oils.
When asked about head coverings, they believe that was because of a cultural situation particular to Corinth itself. I do not think you will make much headway with that.
The oil though…possibly.
Fredricks

PS You know, one rabid we are right and everyone else is wrong group does more to damage Protestant unity(which is not an oxymoron, I know what you are thinking) than all of the odd, almost cult like groups. Its not that I disagree with their theology about most things, its just how they do it.

Thanks Fredericks,

Good to hear from you again.
I’ve actually had some good success with the head coverings approach in the past. They will bring up some Catholic discipline that has changed and say, “See, the Catholics change their teachings.” I will point out that disciplines are created to address particular cultural or society situations and are subject to change. They will say that this is ridiculous because the true Word of God is unchanging. Through the covering of heads example, I can then show that, even in Scripture, there is an example of a “discipline” that was not binding for all times.

Thanks for the information on laying of hands. I suspected they did, but wasn’t sure.

Take care.

 

[NotWorthy]

If you want to really get them going, ask them what are they planning to do for their 100 year anniversary next year!!!

I’d love to hear what they say to that!

Notworthy