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TEN
CHURCH OF CHRIST
DOCTRINES
COMPARED WITH
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
Introduction
The truth has nothing to fear from the light.
It is my sincere desire to write the truth in love,
(Eph. 4:15), but sometimes the truth hurts, even when it is
spoken in love. Though the Church of Christ people are
strongly convinced that what they believe is based on the
Bible, it is my strong conviction that many of these good
people hold doctrines that are contrary to the teaching of
the Word of God.
A leading Church of Christ writer has written to
me, "I think you will rarely score a point with any indoctrinated
person in the Church of Christ. "
I think he is mistaken. The Church of Christ is in
a state of flux. Unbelievable changes are taking place in
many Churches of Christ. Many Church of Christ people
are open to change.
At least three remarkable changes are taking place
in progressive Churches of Christ.
The first and most basic change that has taken place
is their changed view concerning the Holy Spirit. Twenty
years ago they were debating whether or not there was
such a thing as "the direct operation of the Holy Spirit."
Now most Churches of Christ recognize the person and
work of the Holy Spirit.
Thirty or forty years ago almost all Church of
Christ people believed that good works were essential to
salvation. Now their leaders tell me that they believe in
salvation by grace, and do not believe in salvation by
works.
The whistle is being blown on the legalistic practices
in the Churches of Christ, and some are breaking away
from these legalistic tendencies. Since these changes are
taking place, I am encouraged to believe that other changes
are in the near and foreseeable future.
I remind you we are not playing games. We are
dealing with eternal, life changing verities.
One day each of us will stand at the judgment bar
of Almighty God to give an account for what we believe,
and for what we have done.
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