Mel Futrell

Recently, while going through some old files, I came across a number of photo copied pages from “Mademoiselle” magazine which ceased publication in 2001. This was not a publication that I personally subscribed to. However, the material did contain an interesting letter to the editor from a Christian woman in Houston, TX. The short letter is apparently taking exception to a statement made in a previous issue of the magazine labeling the church of Christ as a religious cult. Below, I reprinted the letter and the attached magazine editor’s note:

“I have belonged to the Church of Christ all my life and am furious that you referred to it as a cult. Half of my family grew up in the Church of Christ, the other half Baptist, and I’ve attended services for both. As I see it, there are just three differences: Instead of musical instruments, Church of Christ has a capella singing; instead of once a month, Church of Christ has communion every Sunday; and instead of a rigid doctrine, Church of Christ interprets the Bible as its members, ministers and elders feel God intended.” —Michelle, Houston, TX

Editor’s note: According to both the American Family Foundation and the Maynard Bernstein Resource Center on Cults, there is a legitimate religion called the Church of Christ as well as a widely recognized cult whose name is the International Churches of Christ.

There are so many things that could be said about our Houston sister’s letter to the editor. But because of time and space we will restrict ourselves to just a couple of general thoughts.

First, it is truly sad that the Lord’s people, the church of Christ, have been confused over and over again with what is nothing more than a religious denomination and cult. Of course I’m referring to the International Churches of Christ which, at least in part, sprang out of the Boston Church of Christ. But it is commendable that our sister in Houston was “furious” over the matter and sought to correct the mislabeling. It is certain the work of Christ’s one body, the church (Eph. 4:4; Col. 1:18), in numerous places around the globe has been adversely affected by this cultic group with its unscriptural organization, false teaching on a host of matters, and deceptive “evangelistic” methods. Over 25 years ago while preaching in Columbia, South Carolina one of the first questions I and others would be asked when door-knocking was, “Are you a part of that Church of Christ cult that’s been operating on the college campus?” So before I could get the proverbial foot in the door I had to explain in some detail the difference between the two groups. This we were happy to do but naturally would have preferred to have it otherwise. But it was what it was.

Second, is it really the case that “there are just three differences” between the church of Christ and the Baptist Church? As I see it, our dear sister from Houston has not only oversimplified things, she has perhaps expressed some naiveness about the many real differences between the one true church of the New Testament and a human church; and this is sadly way too common. We do indeed differ on the issue of music in worship. The congregational verbal vocal music utilized by the church of Christ is authorized by the New Testament (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Yet one will look in vain for New Testament authority for instrumental music as acceptable worship to God by the church. Also, and correctly so, the church of Christ eats the supper of our Lord every first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). Any other schedule for observing it that is more or less frequent or on another day is lacking Biblical authority. Now our sisters comments about “doctrine” are not as clearly articulated. Yet we know and recognize that the Lord’s church follows only the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42), which is the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9-10), and that we must speak only as the oracles of God (I Pet. 4:11). While the Baptist church and all other human churches to one degree or another follow human creeds and traditions (Matt. 15:7-9; 13).

And what about the fact that the Baptist Church believes in and teaches salvation at the point of faith [faith only salvation]? Whereas the New Testament teaches, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16). That seems like a pretty big difference to me! And more importantly, what about the fact that the Baptist Church has no right to exist—period! The church of Christ was established by Jesus Christ almost 2000 years ago. But the first Baptist Church was founded by John Smyth in Amsterdam, Holland in 1608/09. That’s over fifteen centuries too late to be the genuine article.

No, there are a lot more than three differences between the church of Christ and the humanly devised Baptist Church. And as kindly as possible I say, any Christian that doesn’t recognize these distinctive differences hasn’t been taught properly or grown adequately. Christianity is a taught religion (John 6:45) that demands growth (Heb. 5:12-14; 2 Pet. 1:5-12). But the crucial question for now is, “Have we raised a generation of Christians who believe the church of Christ is just another human denomination?” Let us pray this is not the case, but if it is let’s work to correct this problem.

—Shades Mountain Messenger.

May 5, 2024, Vol. 25, Issue 9.