Recently I was looking into where to go to College and one of the options was Maritime Christian College. Upon investigating the college I found out about the Restoration Movement and The Church of Christ.
While further investigating the Church and the Movement that spawned it I came across very Cult like views. Justification by Baptismal regeneration within their church based on deacitional regeneration and obeying the laws (as interpreted by their movement). As well as staying in a Church of Christ or restoration movement Church.
In addition they have a hate on for the Reformation and are against the Gospel which says Grace is a gift from God not a result of works. They also deny original sin and that we are sinners by nature meaning. Since they believe in sinless perfection one can never be sure of being a Christian and saved eternally.
They believe that one needs to remain in their church even though they claim to be based on the Bible only. They ignore parts of The Gospel that go against their movement. For example: that a truly saved Christian cannot lose their salvation, but, will also be sanctified over time to follow God's precepts over time with no true end to one's sanctification until in Heaven with The Lord.
Unless you are Baptized their way by their people you are a hellbound lost soul. Meanwhile any other Church will accept any Baptism in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Also, no mainline church says Baptism saves you. Even Arminianism as much as it is a serious error leading to heresy (if taken consistently to its logical conclusion it becomes a False Gospel) does not teach Baptismal regeneration. Instead the Bible clearly states that Baptism is an outward sign of the Covenant and follows your Salvation which is from God as a Gift to those whom Christ attoned for.
You will need to agree to a denominational creed and confession if they exist, but, nowhere in such things does it say you are hellbound if you are saved, but, decide to leave the denomination over differences with the denominational Distinctives. All mainline churches; all of the Truly Visible Church that is and not Cultish or outright Cult offshoots. They all follow the idea that God at least initiated one's salvation and Baptism is not required to be saved. Therefore one is not forever attached to their church and members can leave if they disagree with the destinctives of the Church. (God does not just initiate He does all of one's salvation as we are naturally unable to be saved from our sinful nature).
If you are saved, if you have truly repented and put your faith in the Grace of Christ's Atonement. (As well as acknowledge him as The Lord over all). If you did so and it was a true Godly confession and repentance. Then you are among the Elect decreed from Eternity passed to be included in Christ's Atonement for wretched sinners saved by his Amazing and irrisistible Grace. Yes, you will show good works in that you will be ever more sanctified and be more following Our Lord's desires over time. However, perfection is not possible nor Biblical. We will always be both Sinner and have the Imputed Righteousness of Christ. We will only lose our sin nature when we are I'm Heaven with Our Lord.
The Church of Christ by supporting an Unbiblical seteriology reminiscent of Palegianism Heresies which are False man made Gospels of the past are dooming their flock to Abominable Pride which is a serious sin. OR to horrible sorrow and anxiety trying to be Like God and perfect both of which are not Christian. (Wesleyan Arminian Theology dare not touch the idea of sinless perfection despite their subbilbical view of what is meant by Good Works in James.)
I would never say just because someone is saved via a Subiclical church that is Arminian that if they truly were saved by God they are hellbound and dammed for being saved outside of the Reformed Faith. (Only the Reformed Theology is consistent with the word of God and Predestination, but, I would never say someone that is not Reformed is not saved).
Whereas Churches of Christ deem anyone not from their church is not saved. Or if they come to it and do not get rebaptized by them their way they are a hellbound reprobate. No creature/man or Church determines the Eternal destination and salvation of someone. Only God himself gets to chose whom he saves and whom he passes over to go to their deserved justice in hell/Eternal Punishment.
The Visible Church is the means of worshiping the Lord, the means of dealing the sacraments and also the means of not forsaking The Beloved. It is also the means of teaching the Bible, creeds and confessions. As well as the means of Earthly authority and serving fellow Children of God. Becoming a member of a Church is a voluntary act which accomplishes this and so much more. However, no Visible Church, no True Church will say that unless you join them and stay with them you are dammed.
I am sure there are truly regenerated and saved Christians lost in this very antibiblical organization which claims the name of Christ and his Church. To them I say do not fear your Church and get out into a Church that does not act like an outright Cult. It does not need to be Reformed, but, I would recommend a Reformed Church. However, I am not going to say you are hellbound or kick you out of The Kingdom over choosing an Arminian Church. (No human can only God Saves not man or woman.)
