Churches Of Christ/Saved?

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Expert: - 10/7/2011


Question
I recently had a campus pastor tell one of my recent graduates that he isn't saved.  He has been both confessed with his mouth, and by his lifestyle and also immersed in water by a baptist pastor.  Why would Cincinnati Church of Christ not recognize his baptism/confession and tell him he isn't saved?

Answer
Hey Mark,
While Churches of Christ do place a lot of emphasis on baptism, the specifics of that emphasis differ between congregations. There are some who teach that baptism, to be valid, must be done "for the right reasons." What this means is that the candidate must understand that baptism is that through which your sins are forgiven. It is assumed that Baptist baptism is "to join that church," or "because you have already been forgiven."

Because the belief is that you must know what the real reason for baptism is, if you are baptized for some other reason, the baptism isn't valid.

Most congregations with which I am familiar do not hold this view. Rather, while still emphasizing baptism, their view is essentially that any adult baptism, undergone as a response to God, is valid. These congregations realize that no one knows every detail about everything theological, and therefore don't require that candidates know the finer nuances of our faith response.

That's the answer in a nutshell without being familiar with that particular congregation.

Hope that helps a bit with some insight even if it might not reduce your frustration.  

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Hoyt Roberson

Expertise

I can answer just about any doctrinal, relational, or Scriptural question from a "traditional" church of Christ perspective, and from perspectives of somewhat more progressive congregations. If you want an answer from a particular perspective, let me know that up front, and I'll respond in that vein. If you want to peg me on the liberal-conservative spectrum, I would suggest a bit left of center. Depending on the question though, I might be far left, or perhaps rather toward the right.

Experience

I am currently a shepherd of a congregation (which means, for those of you who aren't Church of Christ folk, I'm one of a handful of people responsible for the spiritual direction and maturity of the congregation, and who hire and fire the ministers). I have served in many capacities including adult class teacher (also current), deacon, administrator, and lay leader at two military bases. I am a life-long member of churches of Christ, mostly mainline congregations, but am quite familiar with more conservative and more liberal congregations and views as well. I read and subscribe to various books and periodicals for churches of Christ, and have discussed a variety of topics with representatives of our various groups both in person, and via mail.

Organizations
Christian Association for Psychological Studies, American Association of Christian Counselors, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Publications
www.robersonblog.blogspot.com

Education/Credentials
I hold a Masters of Ministry degree from Pepperdine University, as well as a Masters of Counseling degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Phoenix.

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