The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Church of Christ

What is the best resource in describing the Church of Christ beliefs and strategies in debating them.

I have a friend who is a long-timed member of the Church of Christ. Sometimes when we get together theology comes up, and I finally got him to say that he doesn't think I'm a Christian due to my infant baptism. He says he believes that baptism saves. What I get from him is that you have to be baptized to be saved, but not all people who are baptized are saved. Also there is an element of faith + works (not the Catholic works, but work of obedience to the Word) in his theology. He points out that what the Bible says is his only authority. It's mine too, but I see the church fathers as being helpful in understanding the Bible. He disdains all church history.

So, I'm getting to the point of not having these discussions with him.

IF I remember correctly, the Church of Christ is classically semi-Pelagian and in some cases, Pelagian. But again IF I remember correctly, they reject and all Creeds/Confessions which is often jokingly stated as: "No creed but Christ... No doctrine but life!" But, the rejection of all Creeds/Confessions is grossly hypocritical for if you ask one of the 'disciples' what he/she believes, they are more than willing to tell you their doctrine which is the very definition of a CREED; "I Believe xxxx=A CREED". Someone that adamant which you have described isn't worth one's time.

IMO, like other Pelagians, their "god" is not God, but Satan.

God Is.

He is Sovereign in all things including salvation.

He is Holy.

He expects His people to sit under sound teaching and to reject heresy and heretics.

He saves by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, according to Scripture Alone and for His Glory alone.

We are Totally Depraved. His Grace is Unconditional and Irresistable. His Atonement was Limited, not in its power, but in its scope, having been intended only for the elect. And the Saints will Persevere.

This is not some reformed, partisan rant; it is the CLEAR teaching of Scripture.

By teaching salvation by works (notably baptism) they put themselves outside of the boundaries of historical, biblical Christianity, arguably more so than even Rome.

By denying all the historical creeds, they acknowledge they do not believe what, almost by definition, all or nearly all Christians have historically believed.

By claiming that all those outside their sect are still in their sins, they both blaspheme the God who saved every person who was ever saved, and also faithfully perform the work of Satan, by falsely accusing the Saints.

They also sow doubt and fear among new and/or poorly taught Christians (which, to be clear, is most of them.)

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. But obviously do pray for them, be open to sharing Scripture with them, and know that while they are almost certainly still in their sins, that doesn't mean God can't or won't save them in the future.