Is Church of Christ A Cult?

[Webb]

From their Website -

http://www.churchofchrist-tl.org/basicBeliefs.html


We believe that in the Bible is contained the word of God, that the Book of Mormon is an added witness for Christ, and that these contain the "fullness of the gospel."


We believe that a New Jerusalem shall be built upon this land "unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph. . . " ". . . which city shall be built, beginning at the Temple Lot."
(3 Ne 9:57-59, 10:1-4; Eth 6:6-8; Revelation to Joseph Smith given Sept, 22 & 23, 1832)

Not Good!


JLB

You are referring to the Mormon church, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Such is as different from the church of Christ I know than the East is from the West.

 

[Webb]

Statement of the council of Apostles: April 21st 2013

We have stated every year that the mission statement of the church is the building up and extension of the Kingdom of God in all the world. An extension of this purpose of the Church of Christ is found in Article # 22. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the ten lost tribes. We are always aware this purpose of God in us is to restore Israel to their God and Savior Jesus Christ and to bring them into the fold of God.

1 Nephi 7:21 And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations. 22 Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel, unto them which are of the house of Israel.

The first action taken in this process is preaching the Restored Gospel wherever opportunity allows. We make this basic assumption: God's people will follow His voice and power. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

What is the Restored Gospel, and how does it differ from the Gospel of the Kingdom?

The above refers to the Mormon church, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, not the church of Christ. Big difference.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

The above refers to the Mormon church, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, not the church of Christ. Big difference.

they (mormons) have a storefront church that does everything it can to look like a church of Jesus Christ. I was there twice before they admitted they were not. it is very deceptive.(on purpose of course- to get more members).

likewise a 'church' in s.f. back in the 70's and 80's was telling new members "everything they wanted to hear/ expected to hear" to make them feel 'comfortable' and get their money. if they were asked is Jesus God, they said yes. and so on ......
they were hare chrisna's(or close/similar - it was a long time ago for me) !!!!! (a known and acknowledged CULT)

 

[Webb]

they (mormons) have a storefront church that does everything it can to look like a church of Jesus Christ. I was there twice before they admitted they were not. it is very deceptive.(on purpose of course- to get more members).

likewise a 'church' in s.f. back in the 70's and 80's was telling new members "everything they wanted to hear/ expected to hear" to make them feel 'comfortable' and get their money. if they were asked is Jesus God, they said yes. and so on ......
they were hare chrisna's(or close/similar - it was a long time ago for me) !!!!! (a known and acknowledged CULT)

Such is not the church of Christ.

 

[JLB]

The above refers to the Mormon church, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, not the church of Christ. Big difference.

Please look at the link that I provided.

It is a link to the Church of Christ. Not the Mormon Church!

http://www.churchofchrist-tl.org/freeDownloads.cfm

That is where I got this info that I copied and pasted from -


We believe that in the Bible is contained the word of God, that the Book of Mormon is an added witness for Christ, and that these contain the "fullness of the gospel."


We believe that a New Jerusalem shall be built upon this land "unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph. . . " ". . . which city shall be built, beginning at the Temple Lot."
(3 Ne 9:57-59, 10:1-4; Eth 6:6-8; Revelation to Joseph Smith given Sept, 22 & 23, 1832)

 

[Free]

I find that much of the "gotquestions" author's answers are scripturally unfounded. I find the article while interesting and truthful in some areas falls short of the admonition of II Tim.2:15.

But one of the main points, which is proved by the link JLB provided, is that each Church of Christ is autonomous which means that each can have differing and even conflicting views from the others in certain areas.

 

[Webb]

Please look at the link that I provided.

It is a link to the Church of Christ. Not the Mormon Church!

http://www.churchofchrist-tl.org/freeDownloads.cfm

That is where I got this info that I copied and pasted from -


We believe that in the Bible is contained the word of God, that the Book of Mormon is an added witness for Christ, and that these contain the "fullness of the gospel."


We believe that a New Jerusalem shall be built upon this land "unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph. . . " ". . . which city shall be built, beginning at the Temple Lot."
(3 Ne 9:57-59, 10:1-4; Eth 6:6-8; Revelation to Joseph Smith given Sept, 22 & 23, 1832)

I guarantee you that it is Mormon and not the church of Christ.

 

[Webb]

But one of the main points, which is proved by the link JLB provided, is that each Church of Christ is autonomous which means that each can have differing and even conflicting views from the others in certain areas.

It appears a mixed bag. JLB's post 48 is foreign to the church of Christ.

 

[Knotical]

I can see your meaning, Webb, but it is rather compelling to see this kind of a reference on a Church of Christ website.

Regardless, this organization has some questionable, at best, doctrines, and if they do, even just some of the churches within this group, hold to the book of mormon as part of the full gospel, it is definitely something to stay away from.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

the original denomination "Church of Christ" DOES NOT hold to any mormon doctrines or yuk.

Some or A LOT of the MORMONS have named themselves "church of christ" in order for people NOT TO REALIZE that it's a mormon church UNTIL LATER when it may be too late for them to back out of it. (some people don't have the gumption to get out of a bad church once they're in, or it's very hard anyway for some).

I can see your meaning, Webb, but it is rather compelling to see this kind of a reference on a Church of Christ website.

Regardless, this organization has some questionable, at best, doctrines, and if they do, even just some of the churches within this group, hold to the book of mormon as part of the full gospel, it is definitely something to stay away from.

 

[Knotical]

What has come out in this thread raises an interesting question. I wonder if the original Church of Christ has ever had any legal interactions with the mormon Church of Christ. In the business world this would start with a cease and desist order, and ultimately lead to a lawsuit for the offending party to change their name as it generates confusion, and a possible negative association between the two groups.

 

[JLB]

It appears a mixed bag. JLB's post 48 is foreign to the church of Christ.

That is The Church of Christ main website.

 

[Free]

It appears a mixed bag. JLB's post 48 is foreign to the church of Christ.

Foreign perhaps to the historical Church of Christ and the others that you know of. But this is precisely the problem that arises with non-denominationalism and a lack of accountability to some sort of hierarchy or church structure. You simply cannot make such a broad claim that the information in the link is foreign to the Church of Christ, since each church is autonomous.

Can you provide any evidence to the contrary?

 

[Webb]

That is The Church of Christ main website.

I've never heard anything about "The Church of Christ main website."

 

[Webb]

Foreign perhaps to the historical Church of Christ and the others that you know of. But this is precisely the problem that arises with non-denominationalism and a lack of accountability to some sort of hierarchy or church structure. You simply cannot make such a broad claim that the information in the link is foreign to the Church of Christ, since each church is autonomous.

Can you provide any evidence to the contrary?

If you know of any congregation of the church of Christ which holds to a cardinal doctrine of the Mormon church I would like to hear of it.

 

[Webb]

That is The Church of Christ main website.

The churches of Christ of which I am familiar have no "main website" that I am aware of.

 

[Webb]

What has come out in this thread raises an interesting question. I wonder if the original Church of Christ has ever had any legal interactions with the mormon Church of Christ. In the business world this would start with a cease and desist order, and ultimately lead to a lawsuit for the offending party to change their name as it generates confusion, and a possible negative association between the two groups.

I am not aware of any legal interactions. I do know, however, that one of the founders of the Mormon church had previously been in the church and I believe was disfellowshiped. I understand he also had been in the Baptist church.

 

[Webb]

I can see your meaning, Webb, but it is rather compelling to see this kind of a reference on a Church of Christ website.

Regardless, this organization has some questionable, at best, doctrines, and if they do, even just some of the churches within this group, hold to the book of mormon as part of the full gospel, it is definitely something to stay away from.

I would be greatly surprised to hear of any congregation of the church of Christ holding to the book of Mormon "as part of the full gospel".

 

[Free]

The churches of Christ of which I am familiar have no "main website" that I am aware of.

I would tend to agree. That makes the most sense given that they are all independent.

And having looked a little closer at the links in the site, it promotes Mormonism quite a bit. It could very well be a Church of Christ that has lost its way and given in to Mormon thought. Or it could be the Mormons trying to re-brand themselves in an attempt to appear more in line with Christianity. The latter seems more likely given that there are twelve Apostles listed.

Once one looks into their Basic Beliefs, number 9 and downward are very revealing.

 

[jeff77]

I looked at a few Church of Christ websites, including the one of a particular church in my city. Their beliefs statement was very simple and did not contain anything that I thought was cult like. I did read somewhere that there is an International Church of Christ ICOC. The ICOC may have a some different beliefs such as only their church has a true understanding of the Bible.