“Misconceptions About the church of Christ”

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Categories: Christian Living, Encouragement, Joshuah Ellis, Preacher Life, Theology

It has happened too many times to count. I am in a conversation with someone, and then it comes out that I attend a local congregation of the church of Christ. The once pleasant exchange soon devolves into a big, soupy mess of awkwardness, and people have actually responded to this news with an apology as if they anticipate being scolded or reprimanded by me. This makes me wonder if people have a bad taste in their mouths about members of the church of Christ. If so, that makes me sad.

My intention in this blog is to try and clarify some of the misconceptions people may have when they hear the words “church of Christ.” However, this is a tricky one. It’s tricky because I can’t speak for everyone who claims to be a member of the church of Christ. However, I can speak for myself, and I feel confident that I can speak, at least from a general perspective, for those members who are closest to me. So here goes. Here are a few of the things I wish the average person knew about the church of Christ.

1. We are more than just the folks who don’t use instruments in worship. Come on. Let’s face it. This is one thing that most people seem to know about the church of Christ. We’re the ones who don’t have a piano, organ, guitar or ANYTHING, for that matter, playing when we sing during worship. However, that is not all there is to us. We are Christians striving to be more like Jesus with each passing day. We are men and women who struggle daily with sin and temptation. We are families trying to raise our children in the training and the admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). We are people who want to honor God and encourage those around us to do the same.

2.  We do not think we are better than anyone else. Few things have stung more than hearing this being insinuated in a conversation. I don’t know any member of the church of Christ who thinks he/she is better than anyone. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We all need the same Jesus if we are to be together in heaven one day (John 14:6), and to think that I somehow have an edge over another person simply because of the name on the building in which I worship is the farthest thing from the truth.

3. We are not “ultra-conservative.” I’m not a fan of terms like “conservative” and “liberal.” The reason for this is because both of the terms are completely based on comparison. What is conservative to one, might be liberal to another. I would like to think that as a Christian, I am neither. I would like to think the same of any other member of the church of Christ. We are not liberal or conservative. We are biblical. At least, that is what we strive to be. Every Christian I know tries his or her best to serve and worship God based upon the pattern that is laid out for us in the New Testament. That is the reason for the lack of instrumental music. The New Testament (which contains the instruction for worship under the law of Christ) tells us to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). So, that is what we do.

4. We do not think we’re the only ones going to heaven. I’m about to get myself in trouble here, but it is important that everyone knows that it is NOT what is written on the building that determines salvation. Jesus made it clear that the one who does the will of God will inherit salvation (Matthew 7:21). That is the standard. Nothing else! While I, and others around me, are striving to seek out the will of God in everything we do, it is not done for us just because we are members of the church of Christ. The Bible tells us what a person needs to do in order to get to heaven; and nowhere in the Bible will we find evidence to support that simply being a member of a church of Christ is what God expects from us. “Whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).

Again, let me point out that I am only speaking from my perspective here and to be frank, if these misconceptions are as common as I suspect they are, then they had to come from somewhere. I encourage you all to ask questions, start conversations, study your Bibles, and do everything we can to know God better. Lastly, let us strive less to be disciples of the name on the door and strive more to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

If you have any thoughts or questions about this blog, please feel free to comment below.

Share

Comments

1. cialis drogasil how to buy cialis in canada cheap prices for cialis

   by CrHon on May 03, 2021 at 6:56pm.

2. ondansetron cheapest - ondansetron daily buy ondansetron australia

   by Uopfpk on May 03, 2021 at 5:49pm.

3. buy cialis very cheap prices fast delivery: https://cialisst.com/# ">ed drugs - how to buy cialis online from canada

   by Walterovemi on May 03, 2021 at 3:52pm.

4. digoxin online
   proair albuterol inhaler
   american express accepted canadian sites selling generic viagra no prescription don juinc

   by ventolin uk pharmacy on May 03, 2021 at 1:24pm.

5. ranbaxy generic cialis buy cialis online fast delivery order cialis online overnight

   by CrHon on May 03, 2021 at 8:29am.

6. buy cialis pharmacy uk buy cialis reliable cialis price pharmacy

   by CrHon on May 03, 2021 at 5:55am.

7. cialis without presciption in usa https://cialisst.com/# ">erectile dysfunction medications - can i buy cialis in uk
   buy cialis united kingdom

   by Peterchini on May 03, 2021 at 1:09am.

8. who in tennesse offers pep hiv
   ivermectine sans ordonnance

   by getFreek on May 03, 2021 at 12:06am.

9. purchase hydroxychloroquine 200mg online

   by purchase hydroxychloroquine 200mg online on May 02, 2021 at 7:25pm.

10. generic cialis good buy cialis usa pharmacy costo viagra cialis levitra

    by CrHon on May 02, 2021 at 6:49pm.

11. ivermectin 3mg tab - cost of ivermectin 1% cream ivermectin 500mg

    by Vfsyuj on May 02, 2021 at 1:44pm.

12. advair 500 diskus

    by Garqueuers on May 02, 2021 at 10:56am.

13. It's appropriate time to make some plans for the future and
    it's time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I want to suggest
    you some interesting things or suggestions.

    Perhaps you can write next articles referring to
    this article. I desire to read even more things
    about it!

    by hydroxychloroquine dosing guidelines on May 02, 2021 at 6:12am.

14. Excellent weblog here! Additionally your web site lots up fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate
    link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as
    yours lol

    by hydroxychloroquine 500 mg on May 02, 2021 at 4:19am.

15. why does heart rate drop with high blood pressure
    over counter viagra

    by cotheta on May 02, 2021 at 3:00am.

16. Unquestionably believe that that you said. Your favourite reason appeared to be at the net the simplest thing to be mindful of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while folks think about
    concerns that they plainly do not recognize about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the entire thing with no need side-effects , people could take a signal.
    Will likely be again to get more. Thanks

    by finasteride drug interaction with aurogra on May 01, 2021 at 10:14pm.

17. can you buy stromectol over the counter - stromectol without prescription stromectol 0.5 mg

    by Fgfypd on May 01, 2021 at 7:39am.

18. cialis 5mg hersteller best cialis prices uk does cialis cause dizziness

    by Kevinsmazy on April 30, 2021 at 8:32pm.

19. l citrulline vs cialis do doctors prescribe cialis cialis envio rapido

    by Kevinsmazy on April 30, 2021 at 5:41pm.

20. levitra mg - https://levitrahims.com/ cheap levitra canada

    by levitra online usa on April 30, 2021 at 4:30pm.

21. order nexium - cost of 40mg nexium nexium 20 mg price australia

    by Eclrph on April 30, 2021 at 9:40am.

22. generic cytotec buy online
    buy azithromycin online fast shipping
    augmentin duo to buy don juinc

    by azithromycin 500 mg daily on April 30, 2021 at 3:38am.

23. cheapest cialis online canada generic tadalafil cialis clinix

    by Rasen on April 30, 2021 at 1:32am.

24. pharmacy online 365 discount code - https://pharmfst.com/# ">ed drugs canadian pharmacy meds or reputable online pharmacy

    by Michaelbeali on April 29, 2021 at 11:47pm.

25. bph drugs cialis how much is tadalafil 5mg cialis et pacemaker

    by Rasen on April 29, 2021 at 10:29pm.

26. fluconazole prices fluconazole 100 mg no prescriptionfluconazole medication fluconazole medication

    by order cialis on April 29, 2021 at 4:05pm.

27. canadian pharmacy coupon code https://pharmfst.com/# ">legit mexican pharmacy - sky pharmacy
    reputable canadian pharmacy

    by Victorkag on April 29, 2021 at 3:40pm.

28. local amoxicillin store

    by local amoxicillin store on April 29, 2021 at 3:29pm.

29. where can i get viagra http://prescriptionhim.com/ - buying viagra without a prescription

    by viagra vs levitra vs cialis on April 29, 2021 at 2:35pm.

30. can i buy prednisolone over the counter in uk

    by can i buy prednisolone over the counter in uk on April 29, 2021 at 12:47pm.

31. intravenous sildenafil pharmacokinetics
    azithromycin over the counter australia
    cialis buy in australia online don juinc

    by buy azithromycin nz on April 29, 2021 at 12:15pm.

32. lyrica 10 mg - lyrica capsule lyrica generic medication

    by Jbfstz on April 29, 2021 at 1:31am.

33. cheap kamagra soft tabs
    clomiphene citrate clomid buy
    viagra generic filde don juinc

    by generic clomid on April 28, 2021 at 8:56pm.

34. viagra vs cialis cialis price in mexico tadalafil online without a script

    by cialis price in mexico on April 28, 2021 at 1:08pm.

35. fluconazole tablet fluconazole 150 mg pricebuy fluconazole fluconazole for sale

    by combivent 50/20 mcg otc on April 28, 2021 at 7:51am.

36. where to buy generic viagra online forum
    cheap clomid without prescription
    otc viagra united states don juinc

    by buy clomid online pct on April 28, 2021 at 5:53am.

37. cialis myopathy monthly cost of cialis without insurance cialis pills effect

    by AeLiz on April 28, 2021 at 2:04am.

38. where can i buy female viagra - comprar viagra online contrareembolso cheap viagra pills india

    by Gutzyb on April 27, 2021 at 11:19pm.

39. feedback from cialis users cost of tadalafil without insurance cialis effect on eyesight

    by AeLiz on April 27, 2021 at 11:12pm.

40. viagra non prescription http://prescriptionhim.com/ - abeen generic viagra no prescription
    online viagra no prescription that takes discover card
    viagra no prescription http://prescriptionhim.com/>viagra without a doctor prescription discount viagra

    by duerve on April 27, 2021 at 6:21am.

41. https://levitrahims.com/#>cost of vardenafil

    by assulse on April 27, 2021 at 6:12am.

42. buy cialis in vancouver bc buy cialis pills grosir cialis

    by vfnup on April 27, 2021 at 2:48am.

43. cialis ear pain buy real cialis online canada cialis conceiving

    by vfnup on April 27, 2021 at 12:19am.

44. what are ed drugs: http://edpillst.com/# ">erectile dysfunction pills - ed treatments
    cure ed

    by Donaldwal on April 26, 2021 at 11:57pm.

45. Hello, of course this post is actually nice and I have learned lot of things
    from it concerning blogging. thanks.

    by what company makes hydroxychloroquine on April 26, 2021 at 7:28pm.

46. problemas causados pelo cialis brand cialis in canada normaldos cialis

    by vfnup on April 26, 2021 at 12:39pm.

47. viagra otc uk - generic viagra and viagra professional sildenafil 50 mg online us

    by Eifdka on April 26, 2021 at 12:23pm.

48. tablets [url=http://cialis20walmart.com]cialis20walmart.com[/url] influencer cialis20walmart.com funiform

    by cialis20walmart.com on April 26, 2021 at 6:53am.

49. cialis moins cher pharmacie marseille canada generic tadalafil cialis rebate coupon

    by vfnup on April 25, 2021 at 9:01pm.

50. generic cialis for less cialis on line other pills like cialis

    by vfnup on April 25, 2021 at 6:35pm.