One thing that was brought up in the original post is the idea that people must belong to "the Church of Christ" or else will be lost. In a culture saturated with denominationalism, it's easy to characterize according to name.

In the New Testament, the church that Jesus purchased is described in a variety of ways. "churchesof Christ" happens to be one (Romans 16:16)... as does other terms such as "the body of Christ", "the kingdom of God, "the church of God", etc. Too many people, IMO, get caught up focusing on the name on a sign - rather than investigate what's believed/taught/practiced by a particular group. As long as a church utilizes a biblical name, God/Christ either accepts/rejects it based on its adherence to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Because it's so infused into this thread, however, a study into denominationalism would probably be helpful. So far as we can tell from the NT, there were no such things as "denominations" in the first century. Yet, we live in a religious culture that rampantly accepts the idea.

Are we talking about Campbellites? I used to attend a private school that was founded by the COCs. West Birmingham Christian School in Forestdale, Alabama. According to the doctrine, the COCs were founded 33 AD and all other denominations i.e. Methodists, Baptists, etc. were bound for hell. Only the Churches of Christ would make it to heaven. That is what I was tought.

All music is acapella. If you used piano or organ you were bound for hell.

The COCs have a unique code amongst themselves. They never refer to a particular church or denomination. If you ask them what church they go to the answer is usually the name of city or community.

All us non COCs used to have fun with them 33 AD sumbitches in high school that thought they were the shat that didn't stink.

I also had one tell me that they only hunt over Apple corn. Think they are to high and mighty to use just plain corn like the rest of us sinners do . Is this true?

Them damn COCs!!!

acapella only

Grizz.....are you drinking?

I never said they did not need studying with but as far as me telling them they are going to hell. I'll never do that to anyone. It's not my job. That's God and God only.

I am amazed at how easy it is for mankind to be misled and manipulated. Vanity, pride and the flesh are very powerful and hence easy to be manipulated.

The fact is very simple: Christianity is the *opposite* of every other man made and demon made false religion. All those false religions are based on the premise that salvation is based on what Man does for God - in terms of good works/deeds/morality/jumping thru various hoops and programs, etc.

Biblical Christianity is the exact opposite: Salvation is what God does for Man through Jesus Christ.

Anyone who would add to or take away from Christ's work and sacrifice is insulting Christ. It is His work and His blood that covers sins and nothing that man does can cover his own sins or cause himself to be spiritually born again.

The only thing that can cause a man to lose his salvation is to renounce Christ, make a pact with the Devil or receive the mark of the Beast/AntiChrist during the Tribulation.

Grace alone.
Faith alone.
Word alone.

Wow! I'm thankful for this thread. It's all coming back to me now. Sometimes I almost forget why I left the COC and all organized religion many years ago! Thanks guys. Let's make this an annual event. In the last 30 years I have saved myself approx $250K in tithes, vast amounts of stress and time, plus I get to hunt and fish on Sunday guiltfree. And I get to be entertained by your silliness.

BEING RAISED IN A COC AND HAVE JUST RECENTLY STARTED GOING LESS AND LESS DUE TO MANY THINGS HAPPENING IN MY LIFE I WAS ALSO RAISED WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES MENTIONED IN THIS THREAD BUT, THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE AS LONG AS WE FOLLOW THE BIBLE AS CLOSE AS WE CAN AND LIVE BY IT GOD WILL BE THE FINAL JUDGE.THIS THREAD HAS ALSO MADE ME THINK AND REFLECT ON ALOT OF THINGS THAT I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN THINKING ABOUT AND DEALING WITH IN MY LIFE. SOME VERY VALID POINTS IN THIS THREAD. I STILL ATTEND FROM TIME TO TIME BECAUSE I THINK THAT FELLOWSHIP IS A VERY IMPORTANT AND THAT CHURCH IS VERY UPLIFTING THAT BEING SAID I DO NOT THINK YOU HAVE TO BE THERE EVERY TIME THE DOORS ARE OPEN NOR DO I AGREE IN EVERYTHING THAT IS TAUGHT AND HOW THE COC IS OFTEN MIS REPRESENTED BY ITS MEMBERS.

Doors do not have to be open. You can fellow ship with you and the buddy you lease the land with prior to hunting on Sunday. Church is not a building or doors. It's where the heart is whether it be in the woods or a football game. You can worship where ever people are gathered. The "church building" is a manmade worldly item with no more significance than my house is.

I too was raised in coc and there was just too much I saw wrong. They say you play a piano and you go to hell cause the bible never mentions instrument IN WORSHIP SERVICES. Yea they mention harps and stuff but not in service. Well my beef is when they start putting projectors up. I asked. Does the bible say we can use that to aide in our singing. They say. Awe well that's diff. If they practiced what they preach they should be using air conditioning padded pews.

This is an example of why we do not have a Religion forum.

TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU HOLLYWUD

So... having song books to sing from is ok, but when they're put up via projector that somehow becomes wrong? The meeting house and the ways it's furnished somehow has a relation to instrumental music being used in worship? Trying to understand where you're coming from...