Featured Error, Cult. Cultic

I understand that Christians can hold a diverse understanding, opinion, and interpretation regarding some topics. Also, that there are some fundamental essentials that unite those who hold various views in Christ.

Some churches teach doctrine which is contrary to my belief and I hold that they teach in error. These are differences that have nothing to do with salvation as described in Scripture. Others hold views that I believe are erroneous while advocating a certain amount of separation from other Christian churches – but do not actually teach doctrine that would be contrary to one being saved or assume salvation as exclusive to their own denomination. Lastly, some teach heresy and another gospel altogether while assuming the stance of “Christian.”

My question is, at what point does a church become something other than a church? When is it no longer Christian and what doctrines are essential for salvation? (My assumption is that a local church is an assembly of believers gathered for the worship of God).

 

I agree. But here’s my concern. When is it appropriate to actively address false doctrines outside of the local church.

I’ll give an example. The churches of Christ hold that they are the only ones saved. This is evident also with their denial that they are a denomination (instead they are the true Church of Christ). This belief would mean that they can be termed a cult – or perhaps a cultic denomination. But they do hold (to my knowledge) to the foundational truths of the Gospel (although they believe in sacramental baptism). So I’d say that one could be a member of the CoC and be saved in accord with their doctrine. Should other churches actively persuade others out of the CoC because of their unbiblical views although the fundamentals are there? Or should they be left alone within their own doctrine?

 

I agree that they preach a false gospel in that they view water baptism as a sacrament, a ritual carried out by man that is the mode God uses for redemption.

It would be impossible for someone to come to salvation based on Mormon or J.W. doctrine. Are you indicating that CoC doctrine is of the same ilk?

What I mean is that if someone believes the Gospel, but they hold to the false doctrine that the point of salvation is water baptism (that salvation is dependent on this baptism in addition to or after faith – that it is where their sins are washed away), is that person saved?

 

So those who are saved are saved despite the teachings of the CoC. If so, then they are a cult rather than a cultic church/denomination as they alter a fundamentally essential doctrine of salvation.

But couldn’t the same be said of other churches (e.g. the Methodists, free-will Baptists, etc). If you can lose your salvation based on works, then ultimately it is a works based salvation. Are these denominations also not Christian?

While some examples are easy (e.g., Mormons), I am having difficulty recognizing where the line is drawn in regards to error vs. heresy in this regards.

 

I like your illustration.

I think the reason that this subject concerns me so much is that I have several friends who are CoC. I know that they think I am unsaved because I am not a member of their church, and I know that they believe in the necessity of water baptism for salvation. So far as I know, and other than instrumental music in worship, this amounts to our differences in belief. I guess my question is whether or not I should address this with them. If the CoC is a false gospel, then I should confront it because they hold to this false gospel – which would preclude salvation. If it is a false doctrine within a Christian denomination, it may still deserve to be addressed but not in a manner of evangelism. Does the work based view negate the prerequisite faith that the CoC believes accompanies salvation or are these people actually saved before they are baptized (based on their doctrine)?

 

I agree that many are saved despite the teachings or misrepresentations of man. Otherwise, man would be in the place of God – dispensing salvation on His behalf. It just seems to me that some doctrines are genuinely false, but still have the gospel within their teachings. There are many examples where I can say “if you believe this you cannot be saved,” but there are some instances where the line is not so clear to me.

 

Thank you for the advise.

 

Hey Van,
Thank you for your remarks. Your final statement is precisely why I ask. If one holds to a particular doctrine but that doctrine precludes actual salvation, then those people are not brothers and sisters in Christ (the ones that are would be saved are only those who do not adhere to that doctrine). But if that doctrine is not contrary to salvation, then it’s a different story.

I am not saying that the CoC doctrine falsifies the gospel to such an extent – I really am not sure. While they may place an unbiblical emphasis on baptism, I’m not sure that this is apart from saving faith (they don’t think that you are merely baptized unto salvation).