Expert: Marvin Howard - 6/15/2006

Question
Is the Church of Christ the same as the Church of GOd?

Answer
Hi!

Johann, thank you for the opportunity to answer this. According to both the world and denominationalism, even though each denomination teaches differently, it does not matter, and should not be important. While this is true, in order to justify their existence, denominations must classify the church as just another denomination, among many. Such is not the case. While both names, church of Christ and church of God, are Scriptural, the practices of either or both would have to match up with all of the Scripture in order for either or both to be the one and only church of Ephesians 4:4. If there are any differences between the two of a doctrinal nature, then at least one of them must not be a church at all, but an imposter. Space is limited in this format, so we need to look at differences, and avoid similarities between the two groups, supporting one, and refuting the other, with Scripture. Also, to save space, I must point to other resources online where portions of this have already been answered. Remember, Satan transforms Himself into an "angel of light" (2nd Corinthians 11:14) in order to deceive people. Anything that is of Satan is going to look so much like things that come from God that it will fool many.

Denominationalism:

The church of God proudly claims its position as a denomination. The church of Christ is not a denomination. Jesus prayed for unity, rather than diversity (John 10:16 & John 17:11-23). Denominationalism slaps Jesus in the face by its very existence, and every member of one repeats this when he or she joins and every time he or she assembles. As such, denominationalism is sinful. For more information showing how that not one denominationalist is a Christian at all, please see:

http://www.geocities.com/braswellcoc1/archive25.html

I am afraid that this forum still does not allow linking, so you must copy and paste any addresses I supply in a new window.

This factor alone proves there is a major difference between the two. The church of Christ is the only body that is saved. All others are lost, even if they are sincere in their beliefs. However, the falsehood taught by the church of God goes much farther away from God's Word than just this.

There are groups, which claim to be one of the churches of Christ, but they are not. They are just using one of many scriptural names. They are denominations, and most proudly proclaim such. Therefore, not everyone claiming to be in the churches of Christ really is. In addition, there are many people who assemble, even with the church, who are not Christians. God said few would make it (Matthew 7:14).

Music in Worship:

The church of God, contrary to everything taught in the New Testament, allows mechanical instruments into their worship. In respecting the authority of God, the churches of Christ disallow it. History proves it was included by many groups too late to be Christian. In fact, the very name for vocal music demonstrates that vocal music is church music, while instrumental music is not performed in the church. For more information, showing how any group that uses instruments has vain or useless worship, and is not the church built by Jesus, please see:

http://www.geocities.com/braswellcoc1/archive2.html

Prophecy Number 1:

This is not true of all groups falsely claiming to be churches belonging to God, but many (I dare say the majority) deny the fulfillment of the prophecy in the whole book of Hosea. The church, even along with the vast majority of denominationalism, recognizes this fulfillment. By denying this fulfillment, these false churches place themselves squarely in the camp of the adventists, and other such cults, by worshipping on the wrong day (Saturday), one which is no longer valid and was discontinued by God. After the conversion of Cornelius in Acts chapter 10, there is not one recorded instance of Christians worshipping on Saturday (the sabbath). This matches Hosea's prophecy that the sabbaths would be lost when Gentiles were accepted as God's people. After Acts chapter 10, you can only find Christians worshipping on Sunday (the first day of the week instead of the seventh). Examine the passages in Acts 20 and 1st Corinthians 16. For more information on this digression, please see:

http://www.geocities.com/braswellcoc1/archive7.html

Prophecy Number 2:

A long passage, 1st Corinthians chapters 12 - 14, demonstrates that speaking in tongues would cease once the Bible was completed. The true church again acknowledges God's authority in this matter. The Church of God denomination, or any other group that claims to speak in tongues today (and yet are unable to raise the dead) declares this prophecy to be falsehood. In addition, speaking in tongues is demonstrated to be speaking in a valid, viable, and existing language with which the speaker is unlearned. Speaking in tongues was done for two, simple reasons. First, it was to assist in the spread of the Word across international lines (c.f., Acts chapter 2). Second, it was a miracle not to edify the Christians, but to prove to non-Christians that the words spoken came from God. The false prophets in the church of God cannot even understand this simple concept as demonstrated in Scripture. For a demonstration of the fulfillment of this prophecy, please see"

http://www.geocities.com/braswellcoc1/archive3.html

Baptism:

In spite of the declaration by Peter (1st Peter 3:21) that not only does baptism save us, but that it is in water (just as was Noah saved by water), the false churches all deny that water baptism saves anyone. Instead, they claim that the water that saved Noah was insignificant, and that a different baptism is implied. Which one did they choose? They claim that baptism by the Holy Spirit is valid. That there were only 2 times where such occurred in Scripture (out of 89 verses with 93 references) is unimportant to them.

Latter Day Revelations:

Hebrews 1:1-2, "God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"

The churches of Christ believe this. The false churches, claiming to be of God when they are truly far from Him, believe that God speaks to man today by other means. They teach many different and confusing doctrines. Since God did not author any confusion (1st Corinthians 14:33), the new teachings are proven to not be from Him, but from Satan.

Even though there are many more doctrinal errors spouted from the foul depths of this and all other denominations, from all of this we see, that even though the churches of Christ and the Church of God should be the same (both claiming to follow God), that one is true, and the other a liar. It matters not what lies people have been told, the Church of God is not a church. Members of the Church of God are not Christians. The denominational claim that one denomination is as good as another is actually true. What they fail to teach is that there is no spiritual good in any denomination: all are equally lost. This is how one is as good as another: they aren't any good at all.

I know this seems to be a harsh answer. It is presented out of love, and I hope you can see this. If I had no love for your soul (or that of any other man), I would sit back and idly watch as everyone outside of the churches of Christ went swiftly to Hell. I would not care enough to stop it. However, because I care, I must speak, and what I say must be the truth to try shocking people out of the lies they have been fed and to get all denominationalists to leave their groups so they can become Christians for the first time.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962
http://360.yahoo.com/preacherman_1962