Expert: Hoyt Roberson - 8/7/2008

Question
Do you believe that a person is not saved if they do not belong to thr Church of Christ, even if they have followed all the outlines in the bible as far as salvation is concerned. I know that it is more than lip service it has to be true repentance from the heart. Where does it say scripturally you have to belong to a certain denomination for salvation?I know that you say you are not a donomination but all that I read says otherwise.Where do you stand on divorce? Can a person serve in the church if they have been married and divorced?Are they saved? Does anyone have the right to question someone's salvation just because thwey aren't apart of your church. The church is the body of Christ, not a denomination or a building. So I am at a loss as to where you can call yourselves the "true Church of Christ."It is not by name association that brings salvation, it is through the shed blood of Crist and a true heart of repentance.

Answer
Salvation:
One does not need to meet in a building with "Church of Christ" on it to be saved. Period. Where one goes to church, in and of itself, is irrelevant.
Some congregations and some members have taught and believe that their congregation represents The Church and therefore, to be in The [Biblical] Church, one would have to be a member of a Church of Christ. However, they're wrong.

Divorce:
Being divorced does not negate one's salvation, even if the divorce was "your fault." Divorced folks can in fact serve in congregations in various capacities, even deacons and elders in congregations that can make the distinction between legal codes and God's intent.

Again, some congregations do not hold this view, and many that do have only within the last twenty years or so eased up on their restrictions against divorced people (even if it wasn't their "fault"). Many members, but not most I suspect, would limit the participation of divorced people for "appearances sake" or because they believe certain arguments surrounding divorce [and remarriage].

However, they too, "...err, not knowing the Scriptures." Again, they have a hard time distinguishing between legal codes and God's intent.

Questioning Someone's Salvation:
There is little to no reason to question someone's salvation based solely on where they may attend church.

There are though, some members and congregations that teach that someone who attends another denomination are sinning as they do so. I have heard elders say and affirm by silence that the Christian Church cannot be associated with because they have an unscriptural name.

And again, they are wrong in so teaching, having confused what they understand as hermeneutics for the intent of God.

Summary:
Salvation is not dependent on what denomination to which you belong or with which you meet. Divorce does not establish a ban against serving in a congregation.

But, there are those who differ, having misunderstood Scripture. More fear I suspect than anything else, but it still isn't pleasant when confronted with it.

Does that help?