Question: How does church teaching manage to integrate an understanding of both the graced and the flawed nature of the human person?
I’m simply assuming by “Church” you are referring to orthodox Christianity and not a specific denomination.
Grace and man’s fallen nature or as you call it “flawed” nature has been a somewhat controversy throughout church History. I will give my understanding of the most common view and in my opinion the Biblical one!
Galatians 2 v 20-21
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
When Adam and Eve were created, they were created not simply innocent, but their human natures were “perfect”, without flaw or blemish, THEY WERE SINLESS...
As Jesus Christ’s humanity is sinless!!!
When our first parents chose to doubt God’s word and deny God’s sovereign authority over them, they fell from communion with God. As God compassionately warned, they spiritual died in that moment of their disobedience!
Genesis 2 v 17
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Since man’s first sin, through procreation (child birth), the entire human race has been born, inherits through genetics spiritual death; from conception we are totally depravity, without any ‘good’ of our own! ***WE ARE LOST SINNERS!!!
Left completely to our own devices WE WOULD DO ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD THING!!!
Genesis 6 v 5
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Isaiah 53 v 6A
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;...”
Romans 3 v 23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
That is the flawed or fallen nature of the human race...
Now grace is the gift of God, it is God’s response to man’s fallen or flawed nature...
Grace is the Holy Spirit’s influence on fallen humanity...
I think John Wesley’s understanding of this grace of God, is most instructive. Grace like sanctification, is a specific event as well as a life long or eternal process...
Prevenient Grace, the grace that exists in ALL HUMAN BEINGS. Since mankind is born spiritually dead, and is ABSOLUTELY INCAPABLE OF DOING ANY GOOD THING, God gives each of us prevenient grace. Sometimes known as the grace that goes before. ***It is this grace that allows a totally depraved human race to do many ‘good’ things. This explains why non-saved people can do some very noble and wonderful works of self-sacrifice and goodness.
It is also why the old statement is usually found to be true: “no one is all bad”. No matter how slight it is, how insignificant it is seen, if it is good, it comes from God’s prevenient grace...
A Ted Bundy, a Charlie Manson, Me, you, are cable of some good, because of God’s prevenient grave upon our lives...
This grace also gives us the ability and desire to search for a higher truth, a more moral truth, a more holy life style and existence. Preventient grace gives us everything we need to reject our fallen, flawed nature, and look to Jesus as our potential Savior.
If we respond to this grace in our lives correctly, then the process of grace turns to convicting grace...
Convicting Grace, is the gift of God that allows a person to realize his or her own depravity, and to understand WE NEED A SAVIOR, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THAT “WE” THE INDIVIDUAL NEED A SAVIOR FOR OUR VERY REAL AND EVIL CHARACTER!!!
This grace gives us the ability and responsibility to accept or reject JESUS CHRIST as our Lord, God, and Savior...
If we do the righteous thing, we ACCEPT AND LOVE JESUS CHRIST AND TAKE HIS BLOOD AS A COVERING FOR OUR SINS, we respond to saving grace...
Saving Grace, also called accepting grace, is also a gift of God and allows the sinner (you and me) to be “Born Again”. To be reconciled to God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. To have our communion with Him, like Adam and Eve had before the fall...
This leaves sustaining grace, or some Theologians might call it sanctifying grace...
Sustaining or Sanctifying grace, is the gift of God, that keeps us His child, the grace that helps us grow more mature, more holy like Him, our Heavenly Father...
It is the grace that will help us be more like Jesus Christ throughout eternity. We will forever grow in the grace and likeness of our Savior, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER obtaining divinity, yet continually growing in Perfection and Holiness as human created beings of the ONE TRUE GOD.......
Paul explains the Bible’s teaching on the integration of grace and our flawed fallen nature this way:
Romans 7 v 5-22
“For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. 7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:”
Paul is saying basically that while we continue to live in these scared bodies of corruption and sin, our saved spiritual nature of grace will struggle with doing good or evil. As Christians God’s grace will usually win out, but on occasion we may give in to the temptations and seductions of sin...
Of which Paul says it is not our saved spiritual nature that does this but the scares of our old fallen ways.......
As Christians by grace through faith in Jesus Christ we can live a sinless life, but if we do sin, God has already paid the price to forgive those sins, and we have an advocate with the Father who assures our being forgiven...
1 John 2 v 1B-2
“...And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
That is grace.......And grace in practice is:
Galatians 2 v 20-21
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc
October 5, 2007
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Question: Why is Africa consider the birthplace of mankind, civilization and spirituality
From Egypt, with borders on the Mediterranean and Red Seas to South Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, and from Ethiopia and Somalia in the East to Senegal and The Gambia in the West, Africa is a land of great beauty, glory, wealth and diversity. Its twelve million square miles host fifty-three countries to include the island of Madagascar and smaller islands in the Indian Ocean and in the North and South Atlantic Oceans.
That is Africa!
The fossil-rich caves of South Africa have played a central role in establishing Africa as the cradle of our human ancestors. In 1924 when Dr Raymond Dart identified the Taung hominid ("human-like") child from the Buxton Limeworks in North West Province, which he named a new genus, Australopithecus africanus ("southern ape of Africa"). The discovery attracted world-wide attention and considerable controversy. Many australopithicene specimens have also been identified from the bone breccias at Makapansgat in Northern Province.
The Sterkfontein area near Krugersdorp stands supreme as one the most prolific and accessible locations. Newly discovered hominid ("ape-man") fossils are now dated back to 3.5 million years. Also known as the "Valley of the Ancestors" the area was declared a World Heritage Site because of the outstanding richness of the fossil hominid sites. It comprises 12 scientifically important fossil locations such as Swartkrans, Drimolen, Kromdraai, Gladysvale and Plover's Lake, all producing a wealth of material crucial to current palaeo-anthropological research.
The Sterkfontein cave was the discovery site of "Mrs Ples", an almost complete cranium of Australopithicus africanus, 1947 by Dr Robert Broom and Mr John T Robinson.
In December 1999 the United Nations declared an area of some 480 km2, centred on the prolific fossil-bearing caves of the Sterkfontein Valley, a World Heritage Site. The area is considered to be of outstanding universal value as it provides crucial palaeo-anthropological information about the very early development of the human family in Africa, and the environment in which our remote hominid ancestors lived.
As such the scientific community has dubbed Africa as the “Mother of Human Civilization...
Biblically speaking the account in Genesis where it describes where the Garden of Eden was at the creation of Man by God in Adam and Eve, realistically would be in the area called Africa...
Genesis 2 v 8-14
“And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 10. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. 11. The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 12. And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. 13. And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. 14. And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.”
So even biblical Theologians believing not in evolution, but in creationism or “intelligent design” as I do, would agree Man began in the area of or quite near Africa. Certainly the early civilizations of man were in or near Africa.
Of course with Man, came the concept of religion; so both would essentially go hand in hand...
All of the religions today had their beginnings, had their roots in some form of religion that was first practiced in or near Africa. Though they may not like to admit it, THERE IS “NO” NEW RELIGION UNDER THE SUN, perhaps new terminology, a new description, different alleged founders, but really the same principles that have existed in antiquity!
The only true religion being found in Jesus Christ!
“In the beginning!!!”
John 14 v 6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The father being YHWH, Jehovah God...
And Jesus being the only Savior for mankind...
Acts 4 v 12
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
And God the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity of God!
Genesis 1 v 26
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc
September 10, 2007
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Question: End times & The understanding of Tree of Life and significance of Adem / Eve being blocked from being able to rentering. The tree of life Cross refinanced through the Bible, as it ends up in Rev. please explain it. We know the tree that was not to be touched -The first sin Mans Fall. What dose scripture mean by living for ever if they were able to get back into the garden? We do live on (Spiritually or Physically) in Heaven or Hell depending on our acceptance or not of Jesus Christ, Right?
I may be wrong, but from the tone and wording of your questions you sound very excited to know and understand the Bible; that is WONDERFUL!!!
“We know the tree that was not to be touched -The first sin Mans Fall.”
Some teachers of the Bible would agree with your statement, but it is biblically incorrect!
Let’s look at what God actually told Adam.
Genesis 2 v 16-17
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Eve miss-quoted God when she told the serpent, “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it...” God had not said mankind could not touch the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, only that we could not eat of it!!!
Eve spoke from ignorance; she really did not know what God had said. Clearly, God had told Adam that we as humanity was not to eat of the fruit of that tree, but either He or Eve added the phrase not to touch the tree!
If a person reads chapter two of Genesis carefully, we can see, God had spoken only to Adam, Eve was not even created until:
Genesis 2 v 21-22
“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.”
So either Adam discussed the rule to Eve and added the phrase, or Eve did, thinking, “well, lets not even touch it and that will stop us from even being tempted to eat the fruit.
***My point being whatever the reason Eve did not know what God had said, SHE DID NOT KNOW GOD’S WORD!
That is the first step in anyone’s sinning!!! To avoid sinning, to avoid miss-quoting what God ‘really’ says, EACH OF US MUST STUDY GOD’S WORD, THE BIBLE FOR OURSELVES!!!
2 Timothy 2 v 15
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Though ministers and teachers especially NEED TO SERIOUSLY STUDY THE BIBLE, ALL US CHRISTIAN NEED TO, SO WE WILL NOT BE EASILY DECEIVED BY FALSE TEACHERS, FALSE PASTORS, FALSE RELIGIONS, FALSE DOCTRINES OR FALSE CHURCHES, ETC!
Since Eve did not know God’s word, it lead to the “first sin”. And here again most people would say, the first sin was the sin of disobedience. ***I disagree!
Satan as the serpent possessed a question to Eve,
Genesis 3 v 5
“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
Satan essentially said to Eve, did God really say that?
Eve not knowing had room for doubt, and thus was the first sin...
Eve doubted the word of God. ***And when we doubt the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Holy Bible, WE DO THE SAME!!!
Man was not allowed to reenter the Garden of Eden, because we had doubted His words, and then chose to disobey God. Doubting and disobeying usually go hand in hand!
Genesis 3 v 24
“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
This essentially is God’s way of saying, man and our evil nature are BLOCKED, barred from eternal communion and fellowship with God. The garden, real as it was, is also a symbol of man’s original eternal fellowship with Him; once we fell, we spiritually died!
Thus our need for reconciliation with God, and a NEED FOR THE ‘ATONING’ BLOOD SACRIFICE IN JESUS CHRIST!!
Yes you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, salvation and eternally life are through a LOVE RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ and Him alone!!!
Acts 4 v 12
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
John 1 v 12
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Even Jesus clearly stated:
John 14 v 6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is any person, anywhere, any time, any place, able to be saved!!!
Ephesians 2 v 8
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc
September 14, 2007
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Question: IN RE: 1Peter 4:6 Was the gospel actually preached to the dead by Christ so they may be judged by Him ? I don`t understand who the dead were and when they heard the gospel. Please clarify. Many, many thanks for your help!!! God bless. Betty
Good question!!
1 Peter 4 v 6
“For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in all Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Theologians take the meaning of 1 Peter 4 verse 6 differently.
One belief is that since everyone since Adam and Eve are born spiritually dead, then of course the gospel by Jesus and His ordained ministers are initially preached to a dead world until the hearers are “born again”. We are all spiritually dead until saved by God’s grace!
A second opinion is that the reference simply refers to those who lived before Christ came in the flesh. Those who lived before Him, also dead spiritually were preached the gospel by the prophets and followers of God.
A third view is, the text refers to all who are dead.
The varying views perhaps can be endless...
***My view is ABSOLUTELY Jesus Christ spoke to the dead, to give them opportunity for salvation.
There are several words translated Hell, First Peter chapter four refers to Sheol, the waiting place of the dead waiting for final judgment. ***Before Jesus came in the flesh and was resurrected, all those who had died went to this waiting place for judgment. This includes the men and women of Faith both of the Old Testament times and the New Testament times before Christ’s death and resurrection. As well as all those who died denying and hating God from the same time frame.
Sheol is not the final Hell (Greek: gehenna), where all those who have eternally denied Jesus Christ as their Lord, God, and Savior, WILL SPEND ETERNITY after the final judgment!!!
Though many may disagree with me, I believe this view is the correct view.
Why???
The Bible clearly tells us, that NO ONE CAN BE SAVED ACCEPT BY COMING THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!!!
Jesus Himself declares this ABSOLUTE FACT:
John 14 v 6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Again God says through the Bible,
John 1 v 12
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
It is only those who have faith in Jesus Christ, that God has given the power to be the ‘sons of God’; those who have accepted Jesus Christ the person, His name, as their Lord, God, and Savior!!!
We are not saved by the name of Jehovah, nor are we saved by the name YHWH, nor by the name of God the Holy Spirit, or simply by Deity (God); if a person, any person is genuinely saved, THEY, WE ARE SAVED ONLY BY A LOVE RELATIOSHIP WITH JESUS THE CHRIST, THE MESSIAH, THE MOSHIACH, GOD IN THE FLESH!!!!!!!
It is God given grace and through faith in Jesus Christ that saves anyone. ANYONE!!!!!!!
God be true, and every man a liar!!!
Acts 4 v 12
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
This is true of all who ever lived or ever will live. Abraham the friend of God, Isaac, Jacob, all the patriarchs of the Jews, all the true prophets of God, David the King, and declared by God as a “man after His own Heart”, EVERY ONE MUST BOW DOWN AND ACKNOLEDGE JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR LORD, GOD, and SAVIOR!!!
***EVERYONE!!!!!!!
Romans 14 v 11
“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
The Lord is Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father!!!
Philippians 2 v 10-11
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
So my view, and clearly the biblical view is, Jesus preached His gospel to those in Sheol (Hell, the waiting place of the dead), so that those like Abraham, Moses, David, all who had not a opportunity to know Jesus Christ by His saving name, might be given the grace, mercy and fairness to reject or accept Jesus as we have that opportunity!!!
It was not until after His resurrection that He spoke to them as their potential Savior, and it was not until He died that genuine lovers of Jesus Christ could be with Him in Heaven or Paradise.
Once Jesus had finished His atoning work upon the blood soaked cross, all the dead who had accepted Him, and all future people who died saved, IMMEDIATELY GO TO BE WITH GOD in HEAVEN...
John 11 v 26
“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Jesus was saying, no Christian will ever be separated from Him again! Those who love Him will never be estranged from Him by waiting in Sheol, but upon their physical death WILL IMMEDIATELY BE WITH HIM!!!
And be with Him for EVER!!!!!!!
Those who are now in Sheol and who will be there in the future, will be there till the final judgment; when then they most grievously WILL SPEND ETERNITY in HELL! Damned for EVER.......
So while we as Christians have opportunity we must for LOVE sake, share the gospel of Jesus Christ to those around us, WHILE HE MIGHT BE FOUND!!!
For this world is the only ‘hell’ if it is one, that we as Christians will ever know, so let us speak the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Lost that they may never go to Sheol...
Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc
September 12, 2007
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Question: What are some of the Primitive Baptists beliefs?
Primitive Baptists
According to the “Handbook of Denominations in the United States”, the Primitive Baptists have the reputation of being the most orthodox and exclusive of all Baptists.
It is not an officially organized denomination, each church is administered by it’s own understanding and interpretation of the Bible. **Each Church is autonomous, ruling itself and accountable only to it’s members.
***Ultimately accountable to GOD!!! As we ALL are!!!!!!!
The genesis of the Primitive Baptist was a nineteenth-century protestant protest against the newly introduced ‘money based’ missions and benevolent societies and assessing of churches to support missions, missionaries, and Sunday schools.
Their stance was based on their view that no such societies or programs existed in the early Church, thus there was no biblical authority to organize or financially support such institutions...
They believe in the religious training of children, but notin or through Sunday school. Instead they emphasize parental and family training of children, and regular church service attendance.
They believe in individual evangelism and missionary work. Both individually financially supported.
Their understanding of the Bible is strongly Calvinism.
In general:
*In Adam’s sin, all humanity becomes guilty of sin.
*All humanity is totally depraved, and cannot turn to God by any of our own efforts. (no free will, no ability to choose)
*Predestination, God in His sovereign will chooses who will be saved and who will be damned...(our decision does not matter)
*Eternal Security, since God decides who is saved, the elect are saved forever!
*They practice two biblical ordinances:
1) The Lord’s supper
2) Baptism by Immersion
*All other Churches and societies are human inventions and are denied fellowship and are not of God...
*Christ’s Second Coming, the dead will be raised, the saints rewarded, the lost damned.
*The Bible, both Old and New Testaments are verbally and infallibly inspired by God.
*Pastors are called by God, not just a chosen profession.
*Ordination, by laying on of hands by their Church members.
No, formal training is required. It is allowed...
*Foot washing is practiced in some churches
*Preachers are self-supported, or by voluntary offerings.
*Membership by congregational examination and vote.
Some will claim their roots began with John the Baptist, and that they are the true Church, and the only authorized Church of Jesus Christ.
Two major problems I see, no “genuine” “accountability” outside the congregation, very dangerous!!!!!!! ***Really open for false teaching, deliberate or by accident... BUT DEADLY EITHER WAY!!!!!!!
And secondly, when “any”, church, person, or denomination says:
“Jesus is here only!”
I see CULT!!!!!!!
Mark 13 v 21-22
“And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”
Jesus is in the heart of any genuine Christian, and Jesus is in the midst of any gathering of two or more genuine Christians.......
Matthew 18 v 20
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
***But again, each one of these churches are independent, autonomous, so each must be judged for their own doctrine, their own practices!!!
Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc
September 3, 2007
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Question: What is the Church of God in Christ (COGIC)? Is this church a cult?
***This is not a simple answer question. To declare a certain Church or denomination a “CULT” or to declare it a “good” Church or denomination is a very serious and solemn undertaking...
With this in mind my answer will be lengthy and somewhat detailed...
Signs of a Church Cult
1) A cult claims they are the “only” true church or only true denomination…
2) No accountability of the leadership, the leader or leaders cannot be challenged to be in error…
3) Dogma, doctrine not in keeping with the Holy Bible…
Manipulation of Scripture. The Bible is twisted to fit the leader or group’s interpretation. Private interpretations are forbidden because the leader of the cult is the only one, of course, who is able to understand God’s voice properly. Their teachings distort the historic, orthodox claims of Christianity.
4) An “us”, “them” mentality. Members are primarily to associate with other members only. Those outside the church are considered evil, not trustworthy, including relatives and friends not part of the group. They do this mainly because they know the loved ones of their converts would reveal their hidden evil agenda to them, and thereby cause them to leave the cult…
Many times cults manipulate people’s minds. There is little concern for individual thought and development. Education is usually discouraged while the convert is bombarded with the cult’s doctrine and literature. Members are called to leave or neglect their old family and life-style for a brand new one.
5) Cults often use pressure tactics to coerce its members into submission. Most cults today will use high pressure tactics to get people to not only join them, but they also resort to extreme measures to make them stay...
Manipulation of time. Since salvation comes exclusively from the teachings of the group, in many cults members spend much of their time working for their organization. Family, school, leisure, sleep, and even food are most often neglected.
Of course there are more signs of a cult, but I believe these are the most serious and most obvious.......
Now to your specific question, the following is the doctrine that the Church of God in Christ say they adhere to:
Their Doctrine: Church of God in Christ
(My comments will be in blue, as well as my conclusion at the end)
“THE BIBLE”
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and contains one harmonious and sufficiently complete system of doctrine. We believe in the full inspiration of the Word of God. We hold the Word of God to be the only authority in all matters and assert that no doctrine can be true or essential, if it does not find a place in this Word.
Their stated belief in the Bible is correct...
“THE FATHER”
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Author and Creator of all things. The Old Testament reveals God in diverse manners, by manifesting his nature, character, and dominions. The Gospels in the New Testament give us knowledge of God the "Father" or "My Father", showing the relationship of God to Jesus as Father, or representing Him as the Father in the Godhead, and Jesus himself that Son
John 15 v 8
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
John 14 v 20
“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”
Jesus also gives God the distinction of "Fatherhood" to all believers when he explains God in the light of "Your Father in Heaven"
Matthew 6 v 8
“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
YHWH, is certainly God the Father, Jesus is His only begotten Son...
“THE SON”
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Second person in the Godhead of the Trinity or Triune Godhead. We believe that Jesus was and is eternal in his person and nature as the Son of God who was with God in the beginning of creation:
My concern here is that they emphasis Jesus is the Son of God, but never clearly declare “Jesus is God”. Secondly, they do not state Jesus was the Creator of all things that were created...
John 1 v 1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin called Mary according to the scripture:
Matthew 1 v 18
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
Thus giving rise to our fundamental belief in the Virgin Birth and to all of the miraculous events surrounding the phenomenon:
Matthew 1 v 19-25
“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24.Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25. And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
We believe that Jesus Christ became the "suffering servant" to man; this suffering servant came seeking to redeem man from sin and to reconcile him back to God, his Father:
Romans 5 v 10
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
We believe that Jesus Christ is standing now as mediator between God and man:
1 Timothy 2 v 5
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
“THE HOLY GHOST”
We believe the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, proceeds from the Father and the Son, is of the same substance, equal to power and glory, and is together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, obeyed, and worshipped. The Holy Ghost is a gift bestowed upon the believer for the purpose of equipping and empowering the believer, making him a more effective witness for service in the world. He teaches and guides one into all truth:
Again they do not clearly state the Holy Spirit is God. It is implied by saying He is part of the Trinity, but how do they define Trinity?
John 16 v 13
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Acts 1 v 8
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 8 v 39
“And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”
“THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST”
We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is an experience subsequent to conversion and sanctification and that tongue-speaking is the consequence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost with the manifestations of the fruit of the spirit:
Many true Christian denominations believe this. Baptists believe we are filled with the Holy Spirit at salvation, and continue to grow in His grace and sanctification for eternity. **Many Pentecostal churches believe that speaking in tongues is absolute proof a person is saved, others believe though tongues is important, not all Christians must experience them. Most Baptists believe “tongues” were actually known languages, and it gave the Church the ability to share the Gospel to all people...
Galatians 5 v 22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Acts 10 v 46
“For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,”
Acts 19 v 1-6
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
We believe that we are not baptized with the Holy Ghost in order to be saved:
John 3 v 5
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
When one receives a baptismal Holy Ghost experience, we believe one will speak with a tongue unknown to oneself according to the sovereign will of Christ. To be filled with the Spirit means to be Spirit controlled as expressed by Paul in:
Ephesians 5 v 18-19
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Since the charismatic demonstrations were necessary to help the early church to be successful in implementing the command of Christ, we therefore, believe that a Holy Ghost experience is mandatory for all men today.
“MAN”
We believe that man was created holy by God, composed of body and soul. We believe that man, by nature, is sinful and unholy. Being born in sin, he needs to be born again, sanctified and cleansed from all sins by the blood of Jesus. We believe that man is saved by confessing and forsaking his sins, and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and that having become a child of God, by being born again and adopted into the family of God, he may, and should, claim the inheritance of the sons of God, namely the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Man is procreated sinful by our fallen nature, sin is not part of humanity apart from the fall; Jesus was fully human, but without sin...
“SIN”
Sin, the Bible teaches, began in the angelic world:
Ezekiel 28 v 11-19
“Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 12. Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the Beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. 18. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. 19. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.”
Isaiah 14 v 12-20
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 16. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 17. That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? 18. All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. 19. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. 20. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.”
And is transmitted into the blood of the human race through disobedience and deception motivated by unbelief:
Since the fall of Man we are procreated sinful by genetics...
1 Timothy 2 v 14
“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”
Adam's sin, committed by eating of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, carried with it permanent pollution or depraved human nature to all his descendants. This is called "original sin." Sin can now be defined as a volitional transgression against God and a lack of conformity to the will of God. We, therefore, conclude that man by nature, is sinful and that he has fallen from a glorious and righteous state from which he was created, and has become unrighteous and unholy. Man, therefore, must be restored to his state of holiness from which he has fallen by being born again:
John 3 v 7
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
“SALVATION”
Salvation deals with the application of the work of redemption to the sinner with his restoration to divine favor and communion with God. This redemptive operation of the Holy Ghost upon sinners is brought about by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ which brings conversion, faith, justification regeneration, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Repentance is the work of God, which results in a change of mind in respect to man's relationship to God.
Matthew 3 v 1-2
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2. And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4 v 17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Acts 20 v 21
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Faith is a certain conviction wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, as to the truth of the Gospel and a heart trust in the promises of God in Christ:
Romans 1 v 17
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.”
Romans 3 v 28
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
Matthew 9 v 22
“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
Acts 26 v 18
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
Conversion is that act of God whereby He causes the regenerated sinner, in his conscious life, to turn to Him in repentance and faith:
2 Kings 5 v 15
“And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.”
2 Chronicles 33 v 12-13
“And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13. And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.”
Luke 19 v 8-9
“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.”
Acts 8 v 30
“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?”
Regeneration is that act of God by which the principle of the new life is implanted in man, and the governing disposition of soul is made holy and the first holy exercise of this new disposition is secured.
Sanctification is that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Ghost, by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God and enables him to perform good works:
Romans 6 v 4
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 5 v 6
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
Colossians 2 v 12
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
Colossians 3 v 1
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
My concern here is, they do not mention the GRACE of God...
“ANGELS”
The Bible uses the term "angel" (a heavenly body) clearly and primarily to denote messengers or ambassadors of God with such scripture references as:
Revelation 4 v 5
“And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”
Which indicates their duty in heaven to praise God:
Psalms 103 v 20
“Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
To do God's will:
Matthew 18 v 10
“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
And to behold his face. But since heaven must come down to earth, they also have a mission to earth. The Bible indicates that they accompanied God in the Creation, and also that they will accompany Christ in His return in Glory.
Angels are created beings just like mankind, mankind are angels only in the sense that we are also His messengers if we are saved.
“DEMONS”
Demons denote unclean or evil spirits; they are sometimes called devils or demonic beings. They are evil spirits, belonging to the unseen or spiritual realm, embodied in human beings. The Old Testament refers to the prince of demons, sometimes called Satan (Adversary) or Devil, as having power and wisdom, taking the habitation of other forms such as the serpent:
Genesis 3 v 1
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
The New Testament speaks of the Devil as Tempter:
Matthew 4 v 3
“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”
And it goes on to tell the works of Satan, The Devil, and Demons as combating righteousness and good in any form, proving to be an adversary to the saints. Their chief power is exercised to destroy the mission of Jesus Christ. It can well be said that the Christian Church believes in Demons, Satan, and Devils. We believe in their power and purpose. We believe they can be subdued and conquered as in the commandment to the believer by Jesus.
Mark 16 v 17
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”
"In my name they shall cast out Satan and the work of the Devil and to resist him and then he will flee (WITHDRAW) from you." (Their translation)
***Satan is only an Angel, any power or ability he has is nothing compared to God AlMighty...
“THE CHURCH”
The Church forms a spiritual unity of which Christ is the divine head. It is animated by one Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. It professes one faith, shares one hope, and serves one King,. It is the citadel of the truth and God's agency for communicating to believers all spiritual blessings. The Church then is the object of our faith rather than of knowledge. The name of our Church, " CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST " is supported by:
I am very concerned by their statement: “The Church then is the object of our faith...” ***God and God alone is the object of a Christians’ faith!!!!!!!
1 Thessalonians 2 v 14
“For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:”
And other passages in the Pauline Epistles. The word " CHURCH " or " EKKLESIA " was first applied to the Christian society by Jesus Christ in:
Matthew 16 v 18
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The occasion being that of his benediction of Peter at Caesarea Phillippi.
“THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST”
We believe in the second coming of Christ; that He shall come from heaven to earth, personally, bodily, visibly:
Acts 1 v 11
“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Titus 2 v 11-13
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
Matthew 16 v 27
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Matthew 24 v 30
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Matthew 25 v 30
“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Luke 21 v 27
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.”
John 1 v 14; 17
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth... 17. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
And that the Church, the bride, will be caught up to meet Him in the air:
1 Thessalonians 4 v 16-17
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
The previous verse has to do with the Rapture of the Church, not Christ’s “Second Coming”. However many true Christian denominations do consider this passage as related to the “Second Coming”...
We admonish all who have this hope to purify themselves as He is pure.
Some of their additional doctrine summarized are:
“DIVINE HEALING”
The Church of God in Christ believes in and practices Divine Healing. It is a commandment of Jesus to the Apostles (St. Mark 16:18). Jesus affirms his teachings on healing by explaining to His disciples, who were to be Apostles, that healing the afflicted is by faith (St. Luke 9:40-41). Therefore, we believe that healing by faith in God has scriptural support and ordained authority. St. James' writings in his epistle encourage Elders to pray for the sick, lay hands upon them and to anoint them with oil, and that prayers with faith shall heal the sick and the Lord shall raise them up. Healing is still practiced widely and frequently in the Church of God in Christ, and testimonies of healing in our Church testify to this fact.
“MIRACLES”
The Church of God in Christ believes that miracles occur to convince men that the Bible is God's Word. A miracle can be defined as an extraordinary visible act of Divine power, wrought by the efficient agency of the will of God, which has as its final cause the vindication of the righteousness of God's word. We believe that the works of God, which were performed during the beginnings of Christianity, do and will occur even today where God is preached, Faith in Christ is exercised, The Holy Ghost is active, and the Gospel is promulgated in the truth (Acts 5:15; 6:8; 9:40; Luke 4:36, 7:14-15; 5:5-6; St. Mark 14:15).
“THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH”
It is generally admitted that for an ordinance to be valid, it must have been instituted by Christ. When we speak of ordinances of the church, we are speaking of those instituted by Christ, in which by sensible signs the grace of God in Christ, and the benefits of the covenant of grace are represented, sealed, and applied to believers, and these in turn give expression to their faith and allegiance to God. The Church Of God In Christ recognizes three ordinances as having been instituted by Christ himself and therefore, binding upon the church practice.
A. THE LORD'S SUPPER (HOLY COMMUNION)
The Lord's Supper symbolizes the Lord's death and suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believer's participation in the crucified Christ. It represents not only the death of Christ as the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as the giving of life, strength, and joy to the soul. The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his soul with the glorified Christ.
B. FEET WASHING
Feet Washing is practiced and recognized as an ordinance in our Church because Christ, by His example, showed that humility characterized greatness in the Kingdom of God, and that service, rendered to others gave evidence that humility, motivated by love, exists. These services are held subsequent to the Lord's Supper; however, its regularity is left to the discretion of the Pastor in charge.
C. WATER BAPTISM
We believe that Water Baptism is necessary as instructed by Christ in St. John 3:5, "UNLESS MAN BE BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT…"
However, we do not believe that water baptism alone is a means of salvation, but is an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his personal Savior. As Pentecostals, we practice immersion in preference to "SPRINKLING" , because immersion corresponds more closely to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord (Colossians 2:12). It also symbolizes regeneration and purification more than any other mode. Therefore, we practice immersion as our mode of Baptism. We believe that we should use the Baptismal Formula given us by Christ for all "…IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER , AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST…" (St. Matthew 28:19)
Ephesians 2 v 8-9
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Titus 3 v 5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
Baptism saves “NO ONE”, and only GRACE through FAITH in JESUS CHRIST saves anyone!!!!!!!
Baptism is an act of obedience symbolizing the inner work God has already accomplished in a person’s heart and mind. Baptism can be a visual response to our LOVE RELATIOSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST; but in NO way does it finalize our salvation. ***You can be saved without being baptized!!! And you can be baptized without being saved...
My Conclusion
The Church of God in Christ by it’s stated doctrine appears to be very much a Christian denomination! Most of my concerns may be simply a matter of semantics, in other words, word usage. How they “say” things, verses how I say things. ***We both may be saying the same thing, but using different wording...
However their statement: : “The Church then is the object of our faith...”, concerns me very much...
Another thing to consider in determining if a Church is a cult is in realizing: They may use the same words or same terminology, yet deliberately defining it differently. In so doing they sound orthodox, main-line Christian; but in reality their doctrine opposes true Christianity...
*My opinion is that it is not a cult, but ultimately it depends on how closely they truly follow their “official” doctrine (which is Christian in wording) or “Statement of Faith”. This of course is true of all professing Christian denominations...
James 1 v 22
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
We can say we accept the BIBLE as inerrant and infallible, and that we believe all it’s teachings about JESUS CHRIST, and make our doctrine quite biblical, but unless we really seek to follow it, truly want to live it; then its just talk...
My opinion is based solely on their stated doctrine as found on their official website: www.cogic.org, and the book: Handbook of Denominations in the United States, and some Historical research on their background. Not from any personal experience, so consider carefully what they may actually teach and believe verses their stated doctrine. Certainly it may be as stated, and then I would find it genuinely Christian...
Always consider the: Signs of a Cult, know your Bible, read it for yourself; and when ever deciding upon a church home, be diligent in getting to know what the pastor and denomination actually teach and believe, before you decide to become a member.......
Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc
August 17, 2007
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Question: In 1 Cor. 5:4-5 it talks about handing over a sinful man to Satan so that his sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. what was Paul saying here and why would handing a sinful man over to Satan destroy his sinful nature? Wouldn't Satan just feed the sinful man?
