Expert: Joe Norman - 8/6/2008

Question
I like the church of christ and used to attend,was baptised at one time.I quit going after i got with folks who said i was in a cult.I disagree,i love the church and the teachings,but why are there folks like this url who give the church a bad name.I'm afraid i can not go back to the church.

http://ex-churchofchrist.com/

Answer
Hi Lynn,

I deeply appreciate you for asking me your question. Here is the thing that concerns me. What your friends or family or anyone for that matter say about the churches of Christ should not cause you to stop being involved with the local church in your area. The Lord's church has ALWAYS been attacked for what they believe and teach and how they live their lives. In the first century, the church was considered to be a "sect" whose roots were in Judaism by both Jews and Romans. Here is part of Paul's defense before Felix. In it, he says "the Way" is what the pharisees call a "sect".

Acts 24:14
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

I am also familiar with the site that you referred to and they are made up of former members that really have never understood what the Bible teaches let alone what we believe and teach - which is God's Word undefiled.

Many like to call us a cult, but that just shows their ignorance. Each local church is independent and autonomous which could not and would not be the case if we truly were a "cult". Also as I understand the term "cult" it refers to a religion that was started by a mere man and usually that founder is revered as either a great prophet of God or divine himself. That is not the case with the churches of Christ either. We are striving to be as much like the church that was established in the first century as we possibly can. Christ is the head of our church and no mere man is considered to be divine or divinely inspired.

Some will say we are "campbellites", but that is again a misconception built upon ignorance. Thomas and Alexander Campbell were respected for their desire to restore the New Testament church but have never been considered to be our founders or beyond error. They did not have everything correct. Also there were a great many men who had the same idea and goal regarding the restoration of the Lord's church.

There is only ONE church not many.

Eph.4:4-6
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you[a] all.

I pray that you will return to the church and be restored to Christ's body. I also pray that you will be a good student of God's Word. If you have any follow-up questions or need anything at all from me, just let me know. I am here to help in any way that I can.

           In Christ, Joe Norman