Hi Jan,
You ask, "Bill, What are your thoughts on the Church Of Christ? I was raised strict COC and a lot of what you say sounds like the things I was taught. What denomination do you associate with?"
In 1987, I was saved in a Baptist church which is affiliated with the BGC (Baptist General Conference). Over the years I have been mostly in BGC churches; but, for a couple of years I was in a new church that was affiliated with the Southern Baptist. And, the new church plant I am with now is affiliated with the Southern Baptist -- only because the pastor we asked to help us plant the church comes from the SBC.
However, if anyone asks me what I am -- I will always reply that I am a Christian -- period. If they push and insist upon knowing anything further; I will tell them I am a Baptist-flavored Christian. Why do I say it this way? Because my Christian faith is based upon the Bible, not a denomination. Yet, I say I am a Baptist-flavored Christian because my personal Biblical Doctrinal Beliefs align very well with the Baptist Doctrinal Beliefs.
You ask about the Church of Christ:
While I realize that the are different flavors of churches within the Church of Christ family; they do share a number of beliefs. To get a flavor of the ones in the Shoals area, I searched the Church of Christ directory. The only one in the Shoals are which had their own web site is Petersville Church of Christ - Florence http://www.charityadvantage.co..._ChriOMGQMH/Home.asp
They have many beliefs which I share. Basically, I agree with them on the Essential Biblical Doctrines or Beliefs. I also like the fact that most CofC follows the Biblical teaching of elders and deacons. I have never been comfortable with the Southern Baptist practice of having only deacons.
And, I agree completely with the CofC statement: Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it.
Where I disagree with the CofC is on their teaching of (1) Baptism a requirement of salvation, and (2) No musical instruments in their music worship. However, these are minor differences and would certainly not be divisive.
The one area where I really disagree with them will be on eschatology. I hold a strong PreTribulation (the rapture will occur before the Tribulation), Premillennial (Tribulation occurs and Christ returns, and then establishi His Millennial Kingdom on earth) belief based upon the Bible. I believe the Bible teaches this -- and, I can show this through Scripture.
According to this article in Wikipedia, most CofC churches hold to the Amillennial belief, i.e., that we are living in the Millennium now -- and the world will continue to get more and more righteous; then Christ will return and take believers into eternity. There are several problems with this teaching. First, if the church age represents the Millennium -- then, we are in the Second Millennium. This is the year 2009 -- two Millenniums plus 9 years. Second, the world very obviously is not getting more righteous; instead apostasy is growing around the world. Third, Scripture does not support this belief.
Churches of Christ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C...es_of_Christ#Beliefs
Regarding eschatology (a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of humankind), Churches of Christ are generally amillennial, their originally prevalent postmillennialism (evident in Alexander Campbell's Millennial Harbinger) having dissipated around the era of the First World War. Before then, many leaders were "moderate historical premillennialists" who did not, however, advocate specific historical interpretations. Churches of Christ have moved away from premillennialism as dispensational millennialism has come more to fore in Protestant evangelical circles.[14]:219[58] Amillennialism and postmillennialism are the prevailing views today.
However, although my beliefs do not align perfectly with the CofC teachings; they are still my brothers and sisters in Christ; they are not cult churches.
Max, you tell us, "Jank, Max here.. I know that this question isn't for me, but as I understand it, the church of Christ, believes that God's Kingdom was established on the Day of Pentecost, 33 A.D. I believe that Bill is what they call a 'pre-millenialist', one who is waiting on the Rapture, the Tribulation, and then everybody going up into the sky to be with God and Christ in a Kingdom with a thousand year reign. After that, time ceases, and as they say in television-land, everything is taken to black. Isn't that right? Maybe I am not remembering it right."
Yes, even though the CofC churches are autonomous; there is a large faction within the Churches of Christ who do believe that we should go back to the practice of worship found in the early first century Christian church. I agree with that. Do away with denominationalism and let us all be just one Christian church. I realize that will never happen; but, it would be nice.
Do they teach that God's Kingdom was established on the Day of Pentecost? No, I believe they teach that the church, the Christian church, begun with the apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ -- began on the day. That was the beginning of the Church Era which will end when Jesus Christ comes to rapture His church and take us into heaven -- where we will experience the Bema Seat Judgment and then, we will be the Bride at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. You can read about that in Revelation 19.
But, Max, either you are being facetious -- or you have your eschatology confused.
What I believe and what the Bible teaches is that: The return of Jesus Christ in the clouds to rapture, snatch away, His church is imminent; meaning that it could happen at any moment -- or it might not happen for years. This is what Jesus was talking about in Mark 9:1 and in the passage in Matthew.
After the rapture occurs, Israel will sign a seven year peace accord with the Antichrist (you will find this in Daniel 9). This may happen very shortly, i.e, hours or days, after the rapture -- or it may be some months. But, it will occur relatively soon after the rapture. The signing of this peace accord will start the Tribulation clock ticking.
While we do not know when the rapture will occur; we know exactly when the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur. That will be exactly seven years after the beginning of the Tribulation.
When Christ returns, a series of events will occur: the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16 and 19), Judgment of Israelites (Ezekiel 20:32-38), Sheep and Goat Judgment of the Gentile Nations (Matthew 25:31-46), the Antichrist and his False Prophet will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20), and Satan will be locked in the abyss for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-3).
Then Jesus Christ will establish His Millennial Kingdom which He will rule, the perfect theocracy, from the throne of David in Jerusalem.
At the end of the Millennial Kingdom; the New Heaven and the New Earth will be created and the New Jerusalem will come down from heaven and reside above the New Earth. You can read about this in Revelation 21.
And, then Christ will escort all of His believers into eternity.
Max, you say, "After that, time ceases, and as they say in television-land, everything is taken to black."
No, at that time is when we Christian believers will truly begin to live. No taken to blackness -- instead, basking in the eternal Sonshine.
Last year the wife of a pastor friend died unexpectedly. After the memorial service, we all went to restaurant to celebrate her homegoing. After the meal, we all gathered in one section of the restaurant to share memories and testimonies of her life. During the sharing, one lady commented, "When Anita was alive. . ."
I told her, "Anita is more alive today than she ever was on this earth. Today, she is with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ -- and they are sharing fellowship. How could she be more alive than that?"
And, her husband, Pastor Mariano agreed.
Max, I encourage you to get into a good Bible study conducted by a Christ-centered church. If you do, you will find that the Pretribulation Premillennial views of eschatology are fully supported in Scripture.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
