Church of Christ

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maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
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I have a whole file on the CoC and believe me, they were established during the Restoration period of the 1800 and broke away from the Mormon Church completely. They still maintain that Smith rewrote parts Revelation and are Preterist thru and thru. Their headquarters are in Independence Mo. and all their leaflets are distributed from there. They do not like it when you call them a denomination. There are several thousand Church of Christ in the USA and 90% are within this umbrella...The others have broken away from the local Churches of Christ and have formed their own churches, most all with different names.

I did not mean to start a fire storm but denial is not one of my faults and I have many. I was simply handing out what I had found. It is out there, all one has to do is search or they can believe their Church of Christ pastor who will more than likely tell them what they want to here. It has been done before!



I think there are some mormon groups called "Church of Christ" which are very different than the "Churches of Christ" which stem from Alexander Campbell.

I think we have different groups of people, with different beliefs, using similar names.

And I don't believe the "American Restoration Movement" that occurred among American evangelicals has anything to do with any "restoration movements" that occurred within the Mormon Church or it's offshoots.



I think we have completely different groups of people using many similar terms... so there is much confusion.
 

Elizabeth619

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2011
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One of the earliest advocates of the return to New Testament Christianity, as a means of achieving unity of all believers in Christ, was James O'Kelly of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1793 he withdrew from the Baltimore conference of his church and called upon others to join him in taking the Bible as the only creed. His influence was largely felt in Virginia and North Carolina where history records that some seven thousand communicants followed his leadership toward a return to primitive New Testament Christianity.

In 1802 a similar movement among the Baptists in New England was led by Abner Jones and Elias Smith. They were concerned about "denominational names and creeds" and decided to wear only the name Christian, taking Bible as their only guide. In 1804, in the western frontier state of Kentucky, Barton W. Stone and several other Presbyterian preachers took similar action declaring that they would take the Bible as the "only sure guide to heaven." Thomas Campbell, and his illustrious son, Alexander Campbell, took similar steps in the year 1809 in what is now the state of West Virginia. They contended that nothing should be bound upon Christians as a matter of doctrine which is not as old as the New Testament. Although these four movements were completely independent in their beginnings eventually they became one strong restoration movement because of their common purpose and plea. These men did not advocate the starting of a new church, but rather a return to Christ's church as described in the Bible.
Members of the church of Christ do not conceive of themselves as a new church started near the beginning of the 19th century. Rather, the whole movement is designed to reproduce in contemporary times the church originally established on Pentecost, A.D. 30. The strength of the appeal lies in the restoration of Christ's original church
Dear Bladerunner,
The quote above is the history of the church of Christ I am referring to. Not the Church of Christ aka Temple Lot that is part of the Latter Day Saint movement that is headquartered in independence Missouri as you have correctly stated. These are two extremely different churches. The CoC I am a member of does not have a headquarters anywhere. We never use the term “pastor” and we are of absolutely no affiliation with Mormonism. I’ve been a member of the church of Christ for 22 years. Pretty sure I know my doctrine.

Love,
Beth
 

Elizabeth619

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2011
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Fun fact: the Robertson family of Duck Dynasty are CoC(the non Mormon ones)
 

Bladerunner

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2016
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I think there are some mormon groups called "Church of Christ" which are very different than the "Churches of Christ" which stem from Alexander Campbell.

I think we have different groups of people, with different beliefs, using similar names.

And I don't believe the "American Restoration Movement" that occurred among American evangelicals has anything to do with any "restoration movements" that occurred within the Mormon Church or it's offshoots.



I think we have completely different groups of people using many similar terms... so there is much confusion.
Well it all happened in the early 1800's.... It is as it was in the 1500's where Luther separated himself from the Catholic Church to become a Protestant. Now as I recall, he did keep a lot of the attributes of the Catholic Church and it show in the European churches, Lutherns, etc,. Do we Protestants (Baptist, Presbyterians, etc.) try to declare we are or were not part of the Catholic Church........ Rem... Jesus' Letter #3 to Pergamos or the Married Church.. in the 400s AD. They were married to the Roman State by Constantine. Yes the same Church as Jesus Started............to become the Catholic Church in the 700sAD.
Of course there were those that did not think that way but it was illegal to have a Bible and if caught.. Death.

I don't think that the Mormon Church are Preterist, They are a Cult pure and simple......In the middle 1900s, I know for a fact the Church of Christ congregations in this area where I am, would not accept the Baptism of another sister church. They then changed that to allow a water Baptism, that would seal ones salvation, to happen in other CoC congregations.

Years ago, I would not have been able to step foot in one of those churches should I have wanted to because I was saved in another denomination or church. Today, It is apparently ok. It seems they are targeting the Kids more. Once they have brain washed them, they are not going to be changed.

My hope is that a lot of them are saved despite themselves. I am speaking about kids that is.

Now, there may be CoC churches out there that believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ where Faith is the KEY word not WORKS!

I hope so for the People of the Congregations sake!


 

Bladerunner

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2016
3,076
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Bladerunner, do you see these people riding bikes and handing out pamphlets?

It appears you are the one who is spreading that rumor....Shame on you..... I mentioned the Leaflets that are always found within the church building answering questions the congregation might have. I did not say they were handing them out to the public. YOU DID>>>>>>So SAD

The Duck family in my opinion along with many others are in a situation where their souls very well could be at stake if their Eschatology is the same as the CoCs I have researched and found to be preterist.



 

Elizabeth619

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2011
6,397
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It appears you are the one who is spreading that rumor....Shame on you..... I mentioned the Leaflets that are always found within the church building answering questions the congregation might have. I did not say they were handing them out to the public. YOU DID>>>>>>So SAD

The Duck family in my opinion along with many others are in a situation where their souls very well could be at stake if their Eschatology is the same as the CoCs I have researched and found to be preterist.



ahhhh so you have issues with those who believe in preterism. Fair enough. Unfortunately, you’re behavior in this thread where you’ve refused to be corrected shows your inability to maturely discuss such topics. You’re set in your ways. That’s fine. I’ll refrian from discussing any topics with you. I’ve noticed you in other threads where you’re quick to point out who’s wrong. You’re condescending. Not too understanding and not very encouraging. Hopefully humility will come to you soon. It did me. Made me a lot happier in all walks of life.
 

Laish

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2016
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It appears you are the one who is spreading that rumor....Shame on you..... I mentioned the Leaflets that are always found within the church building answering questions the congregation might have. I did not say they were handing them out to the public. YOU DID>>>>>>So SAD

The Duck family in my opinion along with many others are in a situation where their souls very well could be at stake if their Eschatology is the same as the CoCs I have researched and found to be preterist.



they are not preterists most CoC is amillennial two different forms of eschatology brother.
Blessings
Bill
 

DJ2

Senior Member
Apr 15, 2017
1,660
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It appears you are the one who is spreading that rumor....Shame on you..... I mentioned the Leaflets that are always found within the church building answering questions the congregation might have. I did not say they were handing them out to the public. YOU DID>>>>>>So SAD

The Duck family in my opinion along with many others are in a situation where their souls very well could be at stake if their Eschatology is the same as the CoCs I have researched and found to be preterist.



The point is they are not Mormons!!!
 

Elizabeth619

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2011
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forgive me if I a wrong but the 5 CoC congregations that I visited years back and their website info says they are mostly amillennial .
Does even that very from congregation to congregation?
Blessings
Bill
Many may consider themselves partial preterists as they believe prophecy has been fulfilled except the return of Christ. Revelation was fullfilled in 70AD and there’s no literal 1000 year reign. Amillennialism and partial preterism are quite similar
 

Laish

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2016
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Ok got ya !
Thanks
Blessings
Bill
 

Elizabeth619

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2011
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The point is they are not Mormons!!!
Just give it up and think of me and a Tennessee accent reading Bladerunners
posts and me so sweetly in my Tennessee twang saying to him “Bless your heart.”
Thats all I’ve literally been doing.
 

Laish

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2016
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Tennessee. Cool I got family there near Cookeville .
Blessings
Bill
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,367
2,444
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Trying to clarify a bit more confusion:



Background for the Confusion:

In the early 1800s (and a bit prior) there was an "American Restoration Movement" in which many Christians were concerned with getting back to early apostolic teachings and beliefs... getting back to basics. Various Christian groups developed out of this movement. One of these groups was called the "Churches of Christ", which developed from the teachings of Alexander Campbell.

The "Churches of Christ" denomination which developed from the preaching of Campbell, is often referred to as "Campbellites". This is the group most often referred to as "Church of Christ", and these people are not Mormons.

I don't personally agree with all of the CoC beliefs, but I would not confuse Campbellites with Mormons.



The Confusion:

1. Term "Restoration Movement" is CONFUSING:
The Mormon Church CONSIDERS ITSELF part of this "American Restoration Movement"...
but no orthodox Christians consider the Mormons part of the American Restoration Movement.

The orthodox view is that the Mormons DID spring up at the same time, but their claims of extra-biblical scripture clearly separate them from any genuine Christian movement.

Whether you agree with the American Restoration Movement or not, many Christians consider the Mormons a "false" or "counterfeit" restoration movement... because their false canon and false gospel disqualify them from being actual Christians.
(You cannot receive Christ's atonement for your sin if you're praying to the wrong Christ: the Mormon Christ is a non-eternal created being, he is the brother of Lucifer, and he was once just a regular man, and he became exalted to God-status by his good works.)


2. Term "Restoration Movement" gets MORE CONFUSING:
To make matters more confusing, the Mormons have experienced various "restoration movements" WITHIN their own church, making the term even more confusing.

There have been many Mormon factions and splinter groups, often talking about "restoration" this and that, referring to restorations WITHIN the Mormon church, and OF the Mormon church. This serves to make the term "restoration movement", within the context of Mormonism, just more and more hard to understand and untangle.


3. Term "Church of Christ" used by completely different Churches - WAY MORE CONFUSING:

To make matters still more confusing, there are completely different churches, with completely different beliefs, calling themselves "Church of Christ."
Some of the Churches using this title are Mormon churches.
 
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Laish

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2016
1,666
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Just give it up and think of me and a Tennessee accent reading Bladerunners
posts and me so sweetly in my Tennessee twang saying to him “Bless your heart.”
Thats all I’ve literally been doing.
Lol I have been to Tennessee enough to know what bless your heart means .lol
Blessings
Bill
 

DJ2

Senior Member
Apr 15, 2017
1,660
57
48
Just give it up and think of me and a Tennessee accent reading Bladerunners
posts and me so sweetly in my Tennessee twang saying to him “Bless your heart.”
Thats all I’ve literally been doing.
I will take your advice. By the way, the Robertson's are from Louisiana, my home state.
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
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Many may consider themselves partial preterists as they believe prophecy has been fulfilled except the return of Christ. Revelation was fullfilled in 70AD and there’s no literal 1000 year reign. Amillennialism and partial preterism are quite similar

This is correct, they just need a swift kick in the doctrine and they will get it right and go full preterist...:p
 

Bladerunner

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2016
3,076
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ahhhh so you have issues with those who believe in preterism. Fair enough. Unfortunately, you’re behavior in this thread where you’ve refused to be corrected shows your inability to maturely discuss such topics. You’re set in your ways. That’s fine. I’ll refrian from discussing any topics with you. I’ve noticed you in other threads where you’re quick to point out who’s wrong. You’re condescending. Not too understanding and not very encouraging. Hopefully humility will come to you soon. It did me. Made me a lot happier in all walks of life.
Elizabeth619,,,I guess , a thank you is in order for your kind words. Yes, I am against Preterism because I believe it to be Blaspehmy. Yes, Blasphemy......Calling GOD a LIAR!.....Many times in the Bible, God tells us that he is not through with His Jewish people. It is why the Churches of Christ remove all but the last 4 or 5 chapters for Revelation. They believe God is through with Israel.

Rev 22:18 .."For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:"

Rev 22:19..."And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Yes, I am dogmatic about that above part of the Bible.... To rightly divide the Bible (2 Tim 2:15) is another one of my dogmatic approaches. I believe as John 1:1 states.."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.".

Therefore the Bible is the WORD of GOD......Interpretation of it is easy......Literal, Historical and Grammatical over the complete Bible (both OT and NT).

I was hoping that by your very first question, You might be one who would be listen to what I believe to devastating facts about the Church you was attending.

It appears you too are dogmatic in your beliefs and your selection of Churches. Good Luck!



 

Bladerunner

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2016
3,076
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they are not preterists most CoC is amillennial two different forms of eschatology brother.
Blessings
Bill
Hey Laish....how have you been doing...It has been a while since we last spoke....

I believe you will find that Foy E. Wallace Jr., (the Father of Modern Preterism) was a Church of Christ Preacher.

Hope you have a blessed evening...
Blade