Interesting set of rules: a fine example why every church should re-examine themselves in the faith in according to the Word of God.
The Rules & Pattern of the Church of Christ
2 By Scriptural definition (and for the purpose of applying these rules), a Christian is one who has done the following five acts of salvation (and in this order): hear, believe, repent, confess (a “Yes” response to the question “Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?” shall be construed as a valid confession), and be baptized. Of the several purposes and benefits of baptism, one must know that baptism is “for the remission of sins” in order for God to consider it a valid baptism.
The emphasis on the believer to save himself by those steps is ignoring how Jesus saved those Gentiles in Acts 10; they believed just after Peter spoke those words and before water baptism or any confession of faith was given, the Holy Spirit was given unto them...simply because they believed. So when God gives a promise that is based on simply by believing in the Son, there is no extra required for God to act on that promise for salvation.
3 A person who has completed the above five acts of salvation, but who comes to doubt the validity of their baptism (perhaps later thinking that he/she did not fully understand the primary purpose), shall be baptized again. One of the following scenarios must be adopted: 1) that the entire previous life of the person in question shall be considered as one outside of Christ and separated from God, thus only now becoming a new child of God; or, 2) that the person in question is being rebaptized “just in case”. In this instance, it shall be assumed that the person is doing so with the knowledge that baptism is generally “for the remission of sins”, even though he/she has may not be sure if such cleansing is really needed. Regardless, any rebaptism shall be preceded with the standard ritual of confession (one’s previous life as an apparent believing Christian shall not suffice as meeting this requirement).
Goes to show why the emphasis on the believer in doing the fives steps will cause doubts. The hope is on Christ Jesus and simply by believing in Him is to have eternal life.
Hebrews 6:1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permit. 4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Many wayward would take this verse to imply one can lose their salvation, but that is not what is being written here. It simply means that the Son of God will not crucify himself again to save that believer that fell away because to do so would be a shame to the Son of God as if the first time was not enough. The Lord will not humilate Himself in that fashion as if He was not able to save the first time.
Hebrews 10: 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for he is faithful that promised
6 All those congregations who use the same generic name (excluding the location part of the name) and uniformly subscribe to these rules shall be considered as “the brotherhood”; no other Christian (one who has believed and been baptized but does not subscribe to one or more of these rules) shall be considered as being a part of “the brotherhood”.
What a thief. Exclusion of a church or a believer by a given name. I can see how that can be abused in some ways, but in regards to the faith, He bought and sealed every believer.. wayward or not. We are to withdraw from the disorderly, but by not treating them as the enemy, but by admonishing them as a brother.
2 Peter 2:1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 Thessalonians 3: 1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;....14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Galatians 3: 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Matthew 12:49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
By believing, we have been bought with a price, but whethor or not, we are holding to the faith is the question for all those that profess His name. That is the distinction between being a vessel unto honour in God's House and a vessel unto dishonour in God's House. That is why we are to run the race, looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith: Jesus Christ the Lord; not to ourselves to run that race as if we can finish by the flesh of what He had started by the Spirit. That is why the just shall live by faith: not religiously.
Can anyone enjoy their reconciled relationship with God through Jesus Christ by being religious? I think not. We get to know Him when we trust Him at His Word to help us live as His. The power in living the christian life is of God and not of us. The same goes towards our service in ministry.
2 Corinthians 4: 5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
For the Church of Christ to not speak of themselves, they need to start pruning the rules away to be just witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Just citing a few corrections by the scriptures towards the list provided by DHK of the set of rules from this one Church of Christ. There are more corrections to be given towards that list, but those ones stood out more.
