Expert: John Fields - 5/23/2010

Question
What is the difference between Churches of Christ and Church Of God in Christ?

Answer
Prior to your email I knew nothing about the Church of God in Christ. I did some reading from Wikipedia to find out more about them. You can do the same for us as I did for them. We are not related to the group you speak of and have no shared back-ground. The Church of God in Christ is primarily an African American fellowship whereas we are not, generally being much more diverse.

In a very short nutshell I would say that two areas that are the most diverse and in which we would be most apt to part ways are in the Supernatural gifts of the Spirit and baptism.

Concerning supernatural gifts:
The Church of God in Christ teaches that the Holy Spirit proves Himself today through different manifested gifts and works of power (tongues, healing, prophecy, etc) whereas those in Churches of Christ believe that the Holy Spirit completed his supernatural work in the days following the apostles.

We within Churches of Christ believe, as a whole, that the Holy Spirit's object was to verify and establish Jesus' death, burial and resurrection as an accomplished bona-fide act and to see that God's Word be confirmed to establish this fact. The Gospel being established as the only way to God was the Spirit's crowning jewel. Of course the Spirit continues His redemptive work through this present day.

Concerning baptism and salvation:
The Church of God in Christ teaches that salvation comes through a profession of faith. At some point later they are baptized to mark that their salvation has already occurred at the point when they had their profession of faith.

Most within the Church of Christ believe that salvation comes after having believed in Jesus and repented in their heart toward Him. We believe the person follows God's expressed will by coming through faith and repentance to the action of coming to be baptized. It is upon being baptized that a person's sins are washed away and that they are saved.

If you need more clarification you can line up doctrines of both side by side in a few short Internet searches to help further. I hope this helps.