After I had referred to Thomas Campbell as "a founder of my own modern-day Churches of Christ," a gracEmail subscriber responded: "Thomas Campbell never was, will be or claimed to be a founder of any church of Christ. It is Jesus' [church], bought with His own blood, and you do Him a terrible injustice by claiming this. I hope you will be man enough to print a retraction." * * * I do confess to technical imprecision. Thomas Campbell and his son Alexander Campbell did not actually found the Churches of Christ as a distinct Christian group. The Campbells themselves were first Presbyterian … [Read more...]
HE FEELS BETRAYED
A gracEmail subscriber writes: "Over thirty years ago I left the Baptist church to enter into a new relationship with our Lord through the Church of Christ and a new baptism. With all the changes going on in the Church of Christ today, I feel like the leaders have betrayed me and others of like belief. To suggest that one is saved before baptism and to accept as brothers in Christ those who have not been immersed is to leave the old paths that we have held as truth for many years." * * * Your feelings are common and natural to those believers who were once persuaded that their standing with … [Read more...]
ORIGIN OF A BAPTISMAL TRADITION (2)
"Why," various readers have inquired, "do Churches of Christ emphasize baptism 'for the remission of sins,' as if that were its only biblical meaning?" * * * Alexander Campbell wisely saw the need for an objective touch-point, a spiritual milestone, at which the believer could grasp God's promises and claim assurance of heavenly pardon. This he found in the first gospel sermon reported in the Book of Acts. When the hearers on Pentecost were convicted in conscience and panic-stricken for their sins, Peter told them to "repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for … [Read more...]
CHURCHES OF CHRIST AND BAPTISM
A New Zealander writes, "I was wondering what statements of faith are held to by Churches of Christ. Down here they strike me as pretty odd. They believe in baptismal regeneration and consequently not in the baptism in the Spirit (which is what I call regeneration)." * * * As a nondenominational fellowship of autonomous congregations (among whom I live and serve), Churches of Christ and Independent Christian Churches have no written creed or statement of faith, which results in wide diversity on a number of subjects. In the past, their preaching often focused more on water baptism and the … [Read more...]
WHAT IS THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST?
A sister from the Disciples of Christ asks, "I've heard about the United Church of Christ, but I'm not very familiar with it. Is it from the Stone-Campbell movement, as are the Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and the independent Christian Churches? Or does it have earthly roots elsewhere? And why did the Stone-Campbell movement split three ways? Can you recommend a good book on the subject?" * * * The UCC is a merger denomination from the joining of the Congregational Church (descendant of the Puritans), the Congregational Christian Church (itself a merger), and the Evangelical … [Read more...]
WHAT IS ‘REFORMED’ THEOLOGY?
Someone asks: "You sometimes mention "Reformed" teaching or "Reformational" theology. What does that refer to?" * * * "Reformational" theology is the God-centered and Christ-honoring teaching which produced the Protestant Reformation -- much of which had been taught also by Augustine and certain other Catholic fathers. On major points, Luther and Calvin agreed, as later did Thomas Cranmer of the English church. These Reformers challenged the authority of the institutional Church to formulate doctrines not taught in Scripture, the saving power of sacraments apart from faith, and monetary … [Read more...]
WHAT IS A PROTESTANT?
A gracEmail subscriber asks, "What exactly does 'Protestant' mean? I've always been taught that I am neither Protestant nor Catholic but only a 'Christian.' Can you help clear this up?" * * * Originally the word "Protestant" referred to followers of the 16th century reformers Luther, Calvin and Zwingli, whose work many celebrate the last Sunday each October. The noun is formed from the Latin verb protestari meaning "to make a declaration." The Reformers "declared" that God justifies sinners by grace through faith, that all believers are God's holy priesthood and that Scripture takes … [Read more...]
PROMISE KEEPERS
A gracEmail subscriber asks, "What are your thoughts about the Promise Keepers movement? Is it an organization with a political agenda, a Spirit-driven phenomenon or perhaps a great awakening?" * * * Promise Keepers appears to me to be a mighty work of the Holy Spirit with historic repercussions. Through PK and other such movements, God is lighting fires of revival and reformation among many of his people from a wide assortment of Christian backgrounds. The result, by God's grace, just might be the spiritual transformation of our country, now filled with family and societal violence, … [Read more...]
INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES OF CHRIST
Several gracEmail readers have inquired about the group known as International Churches of Christ (ICOC or ICC) and its connection, if any, to the Churches of Christ. In response to those questions, this gracEmail is longer than usual. * * * (This was written in February 2007, and many ICOCs have experienced major reform since that time. Kip McKean is no longer ICOC leader but has begun a different movement. Following is an earlier history of this group.) One of the more rapidly-growing religious movements around the world today, the International Churches of Christ promotes itself as … [Read more...]
HOME-BASED COMMUNITY
A gracEmail subscriber writes to say that he is part of a group of believers from various denominations and nondenominations who wish to form a home-based community for Bible study, prayer, worship and outreach of various types. "Our intention is not to provide a substitute for existing congregations," he explains, "but we will let the needs of the group shape the direction of development. Any suggestions or warnings?" * * * In 1975, Sara Faye and I found ourselves in a similar situation in Athens, Alabama, when we began an open-invitation Tuesday evening mutual edification meeting at our … [Read more...]