Inquiring about Alexander Campbell and the Church of Christ

During my discussions on message boards, trying to help spread the gospel, I came across a link to your site. I was very interested to see an organization refuting the various cults. So I went to the list you have there of various cults, and was dismayed to find that you list the church of Christ, not only as a cult, but under the term “Campbellite!” I was amazed!

I could not find an individual page on the church of Christ like you have for many of the other listings, so I couldn’t find on your site exactly why you think the church of Christ is a cult. Having come from a denominational background, I have never come across a group that adheres to the Bible as closely as the church of Christ. Why do you think it is a cult? It is certainly not in fellowship with the International Churches of Christ, which is definitely teaching falsely.

Also, Alexander Campbell was not the founder of the church of Christ. True, he was a member of the “Restoration Movement” where many men made a plea to return to the Bible only, but Jesus Christ is the founder of the church of Christ.

Cults generally follow a human personality, where the church of Christ tries wholeheartedly to follow Christ. Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the deity of Christ. Mormons believe Joseph Smith was a prophet. Seventh Day Adventists believe Ellen White’s “prophecies” are equal to scripture. Doesn’t seem to me that the church of Christ’s plea of “Bible only” fits with the majority of your other entries.

I am saddened and offended to find the church of Christ listed in such a manner on your site. Could we please discuss why you feel the church of Christ is a cult? I pray that you might consider removing it from your listing.

Thank you for your time in reading, and perhaps responding, to this query.

In Christ’s love,

From: “Paul” <r—–@aeneas.net>[not his real name]

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Reply

Dear “Paul”,

Thank you for visiting The Bereans: Apologetics Research Ministry official website. The Churches of Christ movement grew from the groups led by Barton Warren Stone and father and son, Thomas and Alexander Campbell. Their motives were sincere, that is, to tear down denominational walls that divide the church. However, inspite of their effort to unify the church, there still arose some contentions and disagreement among their ranks. We also believe that we can trace the origin of some of the unusual and unorthodox beliefs and practices of the churches of Christ from the Restoration movement of whom Alexander Campbell is the most prominent figure.

Movements holding on to the Restorationist belief are better known also as baptismal regenerationist since they believe water baptism is also essential to salvation in addition to faith. A test for an individual baptismal regenerationist could be done in this way:

Christian: Do you believe that salvation is only by faith in Christ which does not include water baptism?Baptismal Regenerationist: Yes!

Christian: Do you believe that water baptism cannot save a person from sin?

Baptismal Regenerationist: Yes!

Christian: Do you believe that a person who is not water baptized but has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can be saved?

Baptismal Regenerationist: A person who has a genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will always follow His command to be water baptized.

Christian: What if a person places his faith in the Lord Jesus and before his scheduled water baptism suddenly succumbs to death, is that person saved or not?

Baptismal Regenerationist: Well, we cannot judge if the person is saved. Only the Lord knows that.

This is how far a baptismal regenerationist like the churches of Christ would answer to play safe with his argument about the necessity of water baptism in addition to faith in Jesus Christ.

I would like to make it clear that not all people in the churches of Christ are baptismal regenerationist just like saying not all members of the Seventh-day Adventist are legalist. Many of them can also be embraced as evangelical brothers and sisters in the Lord. But then, we need to expose these unorthodox teachings that the mainline churches of Christ espouse.

The churches of Christ position in stating that water baptism is essential immediately after having faith in Christ remains to be at variance with evangelical churches and Christian discernment ministries like us. And since the Bible states unequivocally that salvation is by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ even without water baptism, then all movements who do not completely adhere to this will fall under the category of the cults of Christianity. After all, Mark 16:16 says, “whoever does not believe will be condemned” and not “whoever does not believe and is baptized will be condemned.”

Justyn M.
The Bereans Coordinator
Philippines