Church of Christ

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Shaolen

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Is anyone on here part of or at least knows a lot about the group “Church of Christ” (the American one not Iglesia ni Cristo)? If so would you be so kind as to explain there beliefs particularly what separates them from Catholicism and from other protestants?
 
I was never part of a Church of Christ but investigated one at one point.

My key finding is that they have a sacramental understanding of baptism, like Catholics and unlike most Protestants. This and their particular sense of community actually causes many of those Protestants to view the Church of Christ (at least that branch) as a cult.

I don’t think they have such a sacramental understanding for the other sacraments, however.

It was a CoC preacher who actually explained to me Petrine primacy, causing my eventual return home.
 
Which “Church of Christ”? There are several denominations calling themselves by that name. See, for example, this list (scroll down a bit for non-generic uses).
 
My husband is a member of CoC. There is a lot of differences between different congregations. Their main claim is to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. 🤷 They don’t believe in having musical instruments during worship because there is no mention of this in the NT. However when Jesus says, “take and eat this is my body” they believe this to be figurative. They do have communion every week. Both congregations we have been involved with the people are very sincere Christians and “practice what they preach”. The fellowship they have within their congregation is wonderful.

If you have any specific questions I would try to answer them for you.
 
Ad_Orientem said:
Which “Church of Christ”? There are several denominations calling themselves by that name. See, for example, this list (scroll down a bit for non-generic uses).
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Good point. The one I had investigated was one of the Restoration Movement CoC denominations.
 
I was raised in the Church of Christ that is affiliated with Abilene Christian College and Harding College. They do view baptism as a sacrament and is a requirement for salvation. The Church of Christ baptizes in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The CoC does not believe in original sin, and you must reach the age of accountability before you can be baptized.

The other sacrament they observe is the “Lord’s Supper” or what we call the Eucharist. The Church of Christ does view partaking of the bread and wine as figurative. The wine is actually grape juice and the bread is unsalted crackers. Partaking of the Lords Supper is viewed as a requirement, and you are to be in grace to accept it.

The CoC believes that salvation is a grace and gift from God, however, unlike some protestants denominations, salvation can be lost if sin separates you from God and/or your life doesn’t bear fruit for the Lord.

The CoC is based very much on sola Scripture, and a literal interpretation of the bible. As someone mentioned already, if it is not stated in the NT, it is not done. The CoC abhors church organization; each congregation pretty much stands on its own with a group of elders and deacons making decisions.

The CoC comes close to viewing marriage as a sacrament. Unless they divorce due to adultery, members are considered to be living in sin if they divorce and remarry. it is a just reason for the congregation to dis-fellowship with a member. There is no such thing as annulment.
 
SolarFlare said:
I was raised in the Church of Christ that is affiliated with Abilene Christian College and Harding College. They do view baptism as a sacrament and is a requirement for salvation. The Church of Christ baptizes in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The CoC does not believe in original sin, and you must reach the age of accountability before you can be baptized.

The other sacrament they observe is the “Lord’s Supper” or what we call the Eucharist. The Church of Christ does view partaking of the bread and wine as figurative. The wine is actually grape juice and the bread is unsalted crackers. Partaking of the Lords Supper is viewed as a requirement, and you are to be in grace to accept it.

The CoC believes that salvation is a grace and gift from God, however, unlike some protestants denominations, salvation can be lost if sin separates you from God and/or your life doesn’t bear fruit for the Lord.

The CoC is based very much on sola Scripture, and a literal interpretation of the bible. As someone mentioned already, if it is not stated in the NT, it is not done. The CoC abhors church organization; each congregation pretty much stands on its own with a group of elders and deacons making decisions.

The CoC comes close to viewing marriage as a sacrament. Unless they divorce due to adultery, members are considered to be living in sin if they divorce and remarry. it is a just reason for the congregation to dis-fellowship with a member. There is no such thing as annulment.
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I was raised in the same “church of Christ”. ACC is now Abilene Christian University. They take the word Christian very seriously, and church of Christ also seriously. They sincerely believe they are the ONLY Christians in the ONLY church Christ has. This despite the fact that they were only founded in 1906. Members of other churches are called “in the denominations”.

I was dunked baptized by submersion in a west Texas cofC at age 16. They don’t use the word sacrament at all, and even though they say baptism forgives sin they are very particular about it. Must be believer only, must be submersion only. All other baptisms are considered invalid.

The “Lord’s Supper” as they call the Eucharist is symbolic only, in memory only and can be done or “observed” on Sunday only. They use matzoh crackers and grape juice only. They don’t use the word Sacrament at all.

They practically worship the bible as God, and everything not specifically demanded in the bible is automatically condemned as being "not commanded by God’. That is why they sing without instruments, lack candles and flowers and statues since they were not “commanded by God”.

They are the most literalistic and fundamental denomination to exist but they hate being called a denomination.

They split away from the Disciples of Christ, and are one of many “restoration” churches founded in the early 1800s. Others related are Mormons, SDAs, Jehovah’s Witnesses. IMHO out off all those Restoration churches, they are the only one that can be considered Christian at all.

My cofC dunking was acknowelged as valid when in became Catholic.
 
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