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NASB | Mark 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 16:16 "He who has believed [in Me] and has been baptized will be saved [from the penalty of God's wrath and judgment]; but he who has not believed will be condemned. |
Subject: Is the Church of Christ Christian? |
Bible Note: "...but he who has not been baptized shall be condemned." Mark 16:16 Church of Christ Version [New Creature: I feel a word of explanation is in order. I am posting this CRI Perspective not to duplicate your posting nor to be a copycat :-), but in order to put it into the archives under my user name for future reference. This, in turn, will make it easier for me to find later on when I need it. All credit for originally finding this perspective goes to New Creature. Thank you. -- kalos] 'IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST A CHRISTIAN CHURCH? (CRI PERSPECTIVE CP0604) 'Some Christians believe that the Church of Christ promotes non-biblical teachings and practices. Is the Church of Christ a Christian church? 'The Church of Christ movement originally arose in the hopes of promoting unity among all Christians, but it eventually ended up separating itself from other Christian groups. Although the Church of Christ movement is basically Christian, it's difficult not to categorize certain factions as aberrant because of some of their more extreme doctrines and practices. 'Of all its beliefs, the Church of Christ movement is perhaps best known for its view that water baptism is absolutely essential for salvation. This is no doubt a "sub-biblical" view of baptism. Acts 10:44-48, for example, records that Gentiles were filled with the Holy Spirit (and therefore saved) before they were baptized. Water baptism is certainly a normal part of becoming a Christian and a member of the church; nevertheless, it's still possible to be saved without having been baptized -- especially when circumstances make baptism very difficult if not impossible (cf. Luke 23:39-43). Now, some of the more extreme factions within the Church of Christ movement go even further, and argue that anyone who views baptism differently from them is not a Christian and is, therefore, lost -- even if that person has been baptized!' (www.equip.org/free/CP0604.htm). |