Expert: Ernie Laurence, Jr. - 8/30/2008

Question
Does Hoyt Roberson really represent the churches of Christ as identified by scripture or does he represent those congregations who have fallen into liberalism and become a denomination known as Church of Christ?  Is he a preacher of the Word of God or a dispenser of his own opinions packaged in such a way as to make people think his opinions are the teachings of the churches of Christ?

Answer
I asked myself this question because it is important for others to see the answer.

No, Hoyt Roberson does not really represent the churches of Christ as identified by scripture.

Yes, Hoyt Roberson represents those congregations who have fallen into liberalism, who I believe have had their lampstands removed (Rev. 1-3).

No, Hoyt Roberson is not a preacher of the Word of God.  This is evident in his answers where he provides almost no scriptural support for his answers.

Yes, Hoyt Roberson is a dispenser of his own opinions packaged in such a way as to make people think his opinions are the teachings of the churches of Christ.  He is a liar and a false teacher and unless he repents, he will find himself facing an eternity of punishment.

Below I have attached a response where I added to the answer he gave Cierra asked originally on 12/20/2007.  I do not know if Hoyt will leave the addition to his answer for others to view so I am reposting it here.

For those of you truly seeking to know about the church of Christ, whether you agree with the things we teach and practice or not, Hoyt is the worst person on this panel to ask.  He does not represent the church and does nothing but present the unscriptural, liberal opinions of a few rogue congregations that have fallen into apostasy.  He is marked (Rom. 16:17) as a false teacher (2 Pet. 2:1) and you should all beware (Matt. 7:15).

Some of you may think this mean spirited, or that I am wrong for saying such things about Mr. Roberson, but I have a duty to do so (1 Tim. 4; Titus 3:10) that I cannot shirk.

In Truth and Love,

Ernie

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Cierra and others who read this answer.  

Please note that none of Hoyt's answers are based on the Word of God.  He has not bothered to reference even one scripture.  Below I have responded to your questions and his replies with what God says, not with what Hoyt says.

Question 1:"Do yall really believe that everyone who is not 'church of christ' is going to hell"

Hoyt:  Salvation is more about who one is, and what one's relationship with God is, than what sign is on the building. One need not be saved in a church of Christ, nor attend a church of Christ to remain "saved."

God says (Eph. 5:23-27):  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

God says (Eph. 4:4-6): There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

God says (Eph. 1:22-23): And [God] hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Notice that God teaches in His Word that the church IS the body and it is the one bride of Christ.  If what church you are a member of is irrelevant, then what body you are a member of is irrelevant, and in essence you are saying Christ is a polygamist.

Who will you heed, God or Hoyt?


Question 2:  "Do yall believe that being baptised anywhere other than a church of christ by a church of chirst preacher doesnt count"

Hoyt says: Baptism is a response to God, offered by a grateul person. Neither the place or the baptizer makes any difference in that response.

Notice here that Hoyt side steps the entire issue being asked.  It is true that who does the immersing is irrelevant (1 Cor. 1:10-15) and the physical location where you are immersed is irrelevant so long as it is full burial (Acts 2: 38; Acts 8:36; Romans 6:3-5).

The real question being asked is this:  Must one be immersed into the church of Christ to be saved?

God says (1 Cor. 12:13):  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

God says (Acts 4:10-12): Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

This goes back to the point of what is the church and does it matter if you are part of any specific church.  If you are not a part of the one church that is Christ’s, then you are not a part of the one body that is Christ’s, and therefore not in Christ where all spiritual blessings are (Eph. 1:3).  So if you are not immersed into that one body/church then you cannot obtain salvation for there is no salvation outside of the body of Christ (Acts 4 above).

Who will you heed, God or Hoyt?

Question 3: "Are women realy expected to sit quiely behind their men and not voice an oppinion"

Hoyt says:  In some congregations, women are not expected to perform any leadership duties at all. In a very few congregations, women are not expected to speak in an "assembly of the church." However, there are many congregations in which women do lead prayer, read Scripture, serve communion, and lead worship. Most congregations do not have women preachers, but a few allow women to preach from time to time. And so, congregatioal practice spans the spectrum on this question but most congregations don't consider women doing these kinds of things to be "doctrine," but rather simply the way they happen to do "church."

God says (1 Cor. 14:34-35): Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

God says (1 Tim. 2:12): But I suffer [permit – Grk. epitrepo] not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Why? Because God says (1 Cor. 11:3): But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Notice Hoyt does not tell you which of these positions he takes, and by not doing so, gives credence to them all…the quintessential situation ethicist.

Who will you heed, God or Hoyt?

Question 4: "Is kissing your boyfriend really a 'sin'"

Hoyt says:  No, but premarital sex and heavy making out may well be. The point here is not sin so much as the idea that neither you nor your partner deserve to be violated without having another person's committment in a long-term intimate relationship. It is more about respecting one another more than satisfying one's urges.

If Hoyt would have stopped with just “No” he actually might have got this one right.  However, since Hoyt couldn’t refrain from adding to God’s word he indicates that “premarital sex and heavy making out” MIGHT be sinful…again, depending on your situation and what you feel in your heart.  Of course, if you intend to commit to a long term relationship and respect the other person, go ahead and have sex with someone who isn’t your spouse!  Is this what God says?  No.

God says (Matthew 15:19): For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Fornication is evil according to this passage.  But only POSSIBLY a sin if you don’t respect the person you are fornicating with and don’t intend to commit to a long term relationship according to Hoyt.

God says (Romans 1:26-32): For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Note here that fornicators are listed with wickedness, murder, and haters of God and are worthy of death!

God says (1 Cor. 6:9-10): Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Fornicators will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But Hoyt, the false teacher, says go ahead if you really respect that person and intend to comit to a long term relationship.

Who will you heed, God or Hoyt?

-- In Conclusion --

Hoyt says:  So, to answer your question more concisely, congregational practice spans the spectrum of possible answers. Because churches of Christ do not have a national headquarters or organization, congregational practice can vary widely. Without knowing which congregation you've visited, I can't adequately comment on that congregation.  While some congregations, and some members in others, may well hold some of the views you've indicated, many more do not.

God says (Matt. 28:18): And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power [authority – Grk. exousia] is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

God says (Col. 3:17): And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Who will you heed, God or Hoyt?

In Truth and Love,

Ernie