For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Olukayode Gbeleyi
I thank you for this question: Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church?
Comments:
Only the Bible can answer this question very well, this is because you have limited your exposition to the extents of your personal understanding.
In Matt 16:13 Jesus asked His disciples: Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? They responded that some say you're John, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Christ was not satisfied with their reply and therefore,asked them in verse 15: But who do you say that I am? It was Peter who boldly answer in verse 16 that "You are the Christ the Son of the living God". Mark8:29; John6:69.
Jesus was very satisfied with reply and confirmation from Peter that He said, He will establish His church (Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah blood and flesh has not revealed this to you but My Father and upon this rock(revelation) I will build My church (verses 16-18).
This is in fulfillment of Isaiah2:2-3 the Mountain of the Lord's house shall be established.
The Bible told us that there is one body, one Spirit just as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Eph 4:4-6).
In Colosian 1:18 it was revealed that Christ is the head of the body the church.I went into all these bible passages to justify the body of Christ which the Church that he purchased with his own blood.
The churches of Christ (Rom 16:16) is not a cult . We do things according to the pattern of the early church (Acts 2:38,41&42).
Olukayode Gbeleyi
Baptism is necessary and is a requirement for one to be added to his body and be saved.In Matt 28 :19-20 Christ told his disciples:Go therefore and make disciples of all nation, baptizing the in the name of the father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things which I have commanded you.
Mark 16:16 said: He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Christ himself went to John to be baptized, even when John was resisting, Jesus insisted and he was baptized Matt 3:13-17)
On the day of Pentecost, about 3000 souls were baptized (Acts2:41-42). Another example is the Ethiopian eunuch in chapter 8 :36- See water what hinders me from being baptized the eunuch asked,and he was baptized after his confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (verses 37-39)
Baptism is a command, it is not a matter of if you like or optional.
Kelly Tomlinson
I was raised in the Methodist and Baptist churches, however, in my early 20,s I dated a young man who was a member of the church of Christ. After their (he and the pastor's) version of a Bible study I questioned my salvation and fearfully, at 1am allowed myself to be rebaptized into the church of Christ. Insight 20/20 I wish I had done my research before I let the pastor baptize me but I didn't. I began a 10 year journey/membership into the Church of christ. I received much criticism from my family as they had no knowledge or understanding of my sudden change in religion. The church of Christ members encouraged me to disown my family, luckily though I didn't do it but it made my relationship with them very strained and difficult. Long story short after a attending, for only 1 year, one of their Christian based colleges, going through a bad marriage (in their teaches/ brain washing I didn't need a college degree but only to marry and get my Mrs. Rather than a m.s or b.s. what a crock of crap) then loosing several jobs I found myself rather tired and frustrated with many of the church of Christ teaches. It seemed like they were only teaching what they don't believe in infant baptism or baby dedication, salvation before baptism, the word Trinity, the title sanctuary for room where worship services take place, dancing, male and females swimming together or mix bathing as they call it, use of musical instruments in worship (but somehow it's OK during a wedding) women learning in silence and a few other things I'm drawing a bank to. While many of these things they teach are very much biblical many others aren't and to teach they are the only ones that are true Christians and only ones going to heaven is so untrue. I left the church of Christ and joined the Christian church, though I don't agree with everything they teach either it came closer to my heart. I remarried a Catholic and began another struggle to accept many of their crazy beliefs. 19 years of that and 2 teen boys that reject any religion I'm finally back to attending services in the Methodist. In conclusion I've yet to find the perfect religious organization/church but I know my relationship with Jesus, my Lord is Savior is real and every growing more everyday.