Galatians 1:7 and 9, “Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ ... As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES OF CHRIST (ICOC) are a New World Order (NWO)
religion. On their main website, it is no
coincidence that the following joining of hands coincidentally forms an
Illuminati pyramid (as seen everywhere in the corporate and religious world
today). The symbol shows allegiance to the New World Order, whose god is
Satan, whose anticipated leader will be the Antichrist. Of course, the
picture to the right is the back of the U.S. one-dollar bill, showing the
Masonic pyramid...
Oh, how I wish that I could wake people up to the truth of what's going on in the world today. Look at the image above from their main webpage. Who joins hands like that? You can see that they're a part of Satan's NWO!!! I found other similar images on their webpages. The Freemasons who head all of today's mainstream religious denominations are leading the gullible world's masses into World Religion. The name of the game with the occult is secrecy. They try to hide occult images in plain site. They pride themselves in doing this. Here's some of their subtle
Religions: The Occult Connection! | Part Two
This false religion is known as “CHURCHES OF CHRIST” (COC) or “INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES OF CHRIST” (ICOC), an offshoot of the “MAINLINE CHURCHES OF CHRIST” (what a confusing religious mess!). Their all from Hell beneath!!!
The group teaches that water baptism is
required for salvation. This heresy is commonly called, “Baptismal
Regeneration.” Tragically, the group has at present
84,262 churches worldwide in
137 countries. How sad! How tragic! Over one million people... all
trusting in water baptism to get them to Heaven when they die! Satan is a
beautiful liar!
Brief History
The International Church of Christ (ICOC), also known as “The Boston Church,” began in Gainesville, Florida, under the leadership of Chuck Lucas in 1971. It was known then as the Crossroads Church of Christ, and Lucas was the pastor. The organization has many offshoots groups, including, Campus Advance, Upside Down Club, Alpha Omega, Campus Christian Movement, Hope On Campus, Christian Advance, Students Advocating Christianity Today, and others.
Kip McKean later became the founding evangelist of ICOC and the prime influence of the movement. Chuck Lucas was also involved in “Campus Advance,” an outreach program at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Lucas trained McKean in discipleship based on Robert E. Coleman's book, The Master Plan of Evangelism. The largest ICOC church in the U.S. today is in Los Angeles with over 5,000 members.
The Church of
Christ has its origins in the Reformation time in America, having branched
off into literally hundreds of different religious cult groups since.
Albeit, they all share the same corrupt core beliefs, doctrines of devils
(1st Timothy 4:1), which includes a corrupt works-based view of repentance
and Baptismal Regeneration.
The Lordship Salvation Repentance Heresy
Churches of Christ hold to the same corrupt understanding of repentance as do Lordship Salvationists (such as John MacArthur, Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, and Paul Washer. These four men are all Calvinists in their teachings.
In the following Church of Christ article titled, REPENTANCE: THE MOST DIFFICULT COMMAND, Jim Dearman and Rod Rutherford errantly state concerning salvation...
Repentance involves restitution. "Restitution" means that we will make right the things we have done wrong in so far as possible. If one has murdered another person, he can not restore that person back to life. He can, however, help the widow and children of the man he has killed. If one has stolen money from another person, when he repents, he must return the money he has stolen. John the Baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees to "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8).
Deceitfully, the original article does mention that repentance is “a change of mind.” However, they errantly reason that a change of mind also means a change of behavior; thus, to be saved they say a person is required to amend their ways. This is a doctrine of devils increasingly being taught in our churches today. It's is a false gospel rooted in self-righteousness.
Biblically, a changed life is the FRUIT of genuine repentance, and NOT a part of the ROOT of saving-faith. A Christian lives right because they ARE saved, and not in order to BE saved. A person's behavior has absolutely nothing to do with being saved, because eternal life is the gift of a merciful and loving God. If you acknowledge your guilt of sin and believe on Christ, the only begotten Son of God (Who died, was buried and rose again FOR YOU), then you are saved my friend. We are guilty SINNERS and Jesus is the redeeming SAVIOR! Repentance is NOT difficult concerning salvation. Granted, love for sin prevents men from coming to the Light to be saved (John 3:20), but if any man comes to Jesus Christ by faith to be forgiven, he will be saved.
Biblical repentance unto salvation is simply a change of mind that causes a man to believe on Christ to be saved from his sins. The man who believes has repented, and the man who repents has believed. There are not two separate steps to salvation; but rather, two parts of one step. Salvation is NOT a process! Repentance and faith occur simultaneously when a person gets saved. Salvation is immediate, instantaneous and eternal, never to be undone. Salvation is a spiritual birth, not a decision or philosophy that can be changed afterwards. If saved, always saved!
The authors of the preceding Church of Christ
quote are confusing the FRUIT of repentance with the ROOT of repentance.
Abraham was justified by FAITH (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3-6). That's the ROOT
of repentance! A changed life is the FRUIT. When someone requires a changed
life as a prerequisite to be saved, that is a FALSE GOSPEL. The Church of
Christ clearly teaches a corrupted gospel... ANOTHER GOSPEL
(Galatians 1:7-9).
Baptismal Regeneration
The entire Gospel of John was written to convince us that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we would have life through Jesus' name (John 20:31). Notice that water baptism is not required nor mentioned. Later in the New Testament, the Apostle John writes the Epistle of 1st John, where he states in 1st John 5:13 that the entire purpose for writing this Epistle was so “that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” Yet John NEVER mentions water baptism even once. It doesn't require a degree in theology to understand and recognize here that water baptism is not part of saving-faith.
To the point, "The Boston Church of Christ teaches that when one initially receives Jesus Christ, one's response must include faith, repentance, confession, and water baptism. It teaches that apart from water baptism, one's sins are not forgiven" (The Issue of Water Baptism and the Boston Church of Christ, E. Bourland, P. Owen and P. Reid, p. 1).
Gordon Ferguson, a heretical evangelist in the Boston Church explained this in his series titled, Progressive Revelation: Disciple's Baptism. He wrote, “Peter was promised the `keys' (terms of entrance) to the Kingdom of God. The terms of entrance that he was inspired by the Spirit to preach included baptism.” Ferguson next discussed how the truth about baptism and its link to salvation were re-discovered in stages...
Not only must one be baptized, but one must also be baptized in the Boston Church of Christ. If a person had been a member of some other church, then joins the Boston Church, they must be rebaptized because their original baptism was done in a false church and under a diluted set of false presuppositions.
Ferguson states, “Stage two was marked by the discovery that baptism was for forgiveness of sins to be saved. Interestingly enough, the Restoration leaders, who made this discovery initially felt that a `retroactive' understanding was sufficient. In Boston, we do not believe retroactive understanding is sufficient. Stage three focused on the need to be baptized with the conviction that baptism was indeed necessary for salvation. Therefore, anyone who had been baptized while believing that he was already saved was taught to be immersed again for the correct reasons (that is - to be forgiven and saved)” (as quoted in What Does The Boston Movement Teach?, p. 75).
Hence, salvation in the Boston Church of Christ not only depends on Jesus' death, burial and resurrection; but also upon water baptism (and only by the authority of the Boston Church). And as we have seen, you must also amend your ways and make restitution.
May I say, you could never make things right,
no matter how hard you may try. That's the entire reason why Jesus came
instead, to make things right for us. You've got sins recorded in Heaven and
nothing you can say or do is going to erase those sins. We all need HIS
RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matthew 6:33; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:5-6).
84,262 Churches of Satan!
As mentioned earlier, the group presently has 84,262 churches worldwide in 137 countries. How sad! How tragic! Over one million people... all trusting in water baptism to get them to Heaven when they die! Satan is a beautiful liar!
Everyone knows that The Church of Satan founded by Anton LaVey on June 6, 1966 is of the Devil. There's no debate. As such it is harmless to the Church and work of Christ. The taverns aren't our biggest enemy. The brothels, casinos and other houses of sins aren't the biggest threat to the New Testament Church. Our most dangerous enemy is Satan creeping into our churches... crept in unawares (Jude 1:4; Titus 1:10-11). These 84,262 International Churches of Christ are more of a threat to the cause of Jesus Christ than Anton LaVey's Church of Satan could ever be!!!
The greatest enemy of all is indifference (not caring one way or the other what is going on in the world). The biggest problem that I see amongst professed believers today is INDIFFERENCE! I visit Baptist churches that sing Michael W. Smith songs. He's a Catholic! Roman Catholics love Michael W. Smith's music, because Smith is a false Christian... a phony who's pulling on the same rope as the Devil. Smith is indifferent toward the evils of Catholicism. False gospels have crept into nearly all of our churches. Hardly anybody is saved anymore. Increasingly people are joining religion, but they will not endure (tolerate) SOUND DOCTRINE...
I NEVER KNEW YOU (false gospels of Osteen, Stanley, Robertson, Warren, Hagee, Dobson, Swaggart, and others!)
A demon's favorite activity is making unsaved people feel religious. Satan convinces people that they can get to Heaven by being dunked in a baptistry and trying really hard to amend their sinful ways. It sounds good doesn't it? It seems logical that one would have to right their wrongs and try to clean up their evil ways to be saved. It sounds right doesn't it? Oh, listen to me friend, it's a road to Hell. It's not the way to Heaven. Proverb 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Here is further evidence against the damnable CHURCH OF CHRIST. It is the church of Satan! On their church websites, they openly teach that water baptism is mandatory for salvation.
They teach . . .
You should know that by baptism:
- You are saved from sins (Mark 16:16 1 Peter 3:21)
- You have remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
SOURCE: http://church-of-christ.org/church-of-christ/JMB.html
Lies, lies, lies! Water baptism cannot save anyone!!!
Here is what another demonic Church of Christ website teaches . . .
When will God save you?
At baptism . . . you will be washed clean of all sin in
the blood of Christ and saved.SOURCE: http://www.agapebiblestudiesonline.org/assignments/course-5.pdf
The Church of Christ teaches lies of the Devil. Nowhere in the Bible was anyone ever water baptized until after they were saved. No one in the Old Testament was water baptized. The thief on the cross wasn't water baptized.
Here is a Bible study explaining Mark 16:16, 1st Peter 3:21 and Acts 2:38.
Perhaps the strongest Biblical evidence that water baptism is NOT required for salvation is found in 1st John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” The Apostle John plainly states in 1st John 5:13 that the purpose of his Epistle is to help them KNOW, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that they are saved; yet he doesn't mention “baptism” even once. The word is not found in 1st, 2nd or 3rd John! If water baptism were necessary for salvation, then certainly John would have told them to make sure they'd been water baptized; but he didn't!
The Apostle Paul plainly stated in 1st Corinthians 1:17, “FOR CHRIST SENT ME NOT TO BAPTIZE, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” If water baptism were required for salvation, then certainly the Apostle Paul would not have treated the matter with such frivolous speech.
If, as many false prophets claim, water baptism is necessary for salvation; then there are two Gospels. There must have been one plan of salvation for Old Testament saints who weren't baptized; and then another plan of salvation for New Testament believers. However, the Bible does not teach that. In fact, Acts 10:43 settles the matter by clarifying that Old Testament saints were saved the exact same way believers are today. Acts 10:43, “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”
Genesis 15:6 tells us that Abram (later to be
renamed Abraham) was saved by grace through faith in the Lord. Genesis
15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for
righteousness.” Amen! Romans 4:3-6 confirms this truth. Romans 4:3-5,
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto
him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of
grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” A
person's faith is COUNTED for righteousness. Water baptism has nothing to do
with a sinner's faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
What is Water Baptism Biblically?
So what is water baptism then? It is simply one's public profession of faith. Romans 6:4-5, “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. For if we have been planted together in the LIKENESS of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Carefully notice the words “like” and “likeness.” Water baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Just as a wedding ring represents one's lifetime commitment to their spouse, 'til death do us part; so does water baptism represent one's faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A person is not married because they wear a wedding ring on their finger, anymore than a person would be an automobile for walking into a garage. Likewise, water baptism cannot save anyone, nor does it wash away anyone's sins. Some false prophets corrupt the Bible by twisting around the Scriptures, teaching that water washes a person's sins away. No, it doesn't! The Bible plainly teaches that only Jesus' precious literal blood washes our sins away (1st John 1:7; Revelation 1:5).
If you get baptized, you are just getting a bath. The significance of water baptism is that you are ALREADY saved, and your faith is real. A marriage is not consummated when rings are exchanged in ceremony; but upon union between a man and a woman, who have made a lifetime commitment to one another. This is why divorce is such a horrible sin, because it dishonors a lifetime vow made in the presence of God, and breaks apart a union which the Bible says God made. Matthew 19:6, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” No one has a right to divorce, because God joined you both together.
The wedding rings are significant because there
is a marriage which they represent. Likewise, water baptism is significant
in that there is faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ which it represents. A
man and woman don't have to exchange nor wear wedding rings to be married in
God's eyes. Likewise, a sinner does not have to be water baptized to be
saved in God's eyes. Salvation comes by faith alone in Jesus Christ
(Galatians 3:26).
Search the Scriptures!
There are MANY things wrong with the Church of Christ religion; but we know that they are following Satan because they teach the false doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration. I am not trying to be unkind, sincerely; but as a born-again Christian who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, it is my duty to contend for the Christian faith, defending the Doctrine of Christ. The Church of Christ is a misnomer, because they are neither a Church, nor do they know the Christ of the Bible.
I want to mention that there are many different religious denominations which use the term “Church of Christ,” even the false Mormon cult. Whether it be the lying United Church of Christ, or the heretical Churches of Christ, the demonic Mormon Latter Day Saints, or the heathen Church of Christ; they all teach water baptism as a means of salvation, which is is a false gospel. Religion is the worst thing that ever happened to this wicked world. The Bible does not tell us to follow religion. Jesus commanded us in John 5:39 to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!
Matthew 22:29, “Jesus answered and said unto them, YE DO ERR, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.” What a Bible verse!!! Jesus' Words have never been so true as today, because most people do err in their understanding of the Scriptures. They just don't know the Bible. God teaches for us to STUDY. 2nd Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Most people study the Bible without the presence of the Author, Who is God. This is why there are so many false cults in the world.
I thank God, I thank God, I thank God, that the Holy Spirit has guided me into all truth, just as Jesus promised in John 16:13, “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.” I am not worthy of all the truth which God has taught me. I feel like Jacob who said in Genesis 32:10, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.” God is good. So many people don't want the truth; they don't love it. 2nd Thessalonians 2:10 says that is exactly why they will follow the Antichrist and be destroyed.
The best way to interpret the Bible is with the Bible, by cross-referencing Scripture with Scripture. When you read a passage of Scripture and think you understand the doctrine (teaching), you verify that doctrine by making sure that it agrees with the rest of the Bible. All Scriptures must agree in harmony. With this truth in mind, the subject of water baptism is clearly understood when we consider all of the Scriptures as a whole.
There is not one verse in the entire Bible that teaches water baptism as a means of salvation. Jesus taught Nicodemus in John 3:1-7 that salvation is a second birth, by the Spirit of God. Salvation is not brought about by rituals or ceremonies; but by faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. This truth is evidenced by John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” No mention of baptism is made. John 3:16 does not mention baptism, but simply teaches that whosoever believeth on the Son of God has everlasting life. If water immersion (baptism) were required to be saved, then God would have said so. God said what He meant, and meant what He said. Members of the Church of Christ false religion DO ERR, NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES (Mathew 22:29). They are not saved. They are trusting in a false gospel of Baptismal Regeneration.
Also, notice in Matthew 22:29 that Jesus said the Sadducees didn't know the power of God. Romans 1:16 tells us that the power of God is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you are wrong on salvation, then you are wrong on everything. If the cornerstone of the foundation is crooked, then the whole building is going to be crooked. Church of Christ members have built their religion on a foundation of sinking sand. The Biblical Gospel is a gift of God that is freely provided (Romans 5:15), freely offered (Romans 10:13) and freely received (Revelation 22:17).
Thus, Water Baptism is NOT required for
salvation. To think that the God of the universe would refuse to save a
person for not being dunked in water is wrong. It is by faith (trusting) on
Jesus that sinners are saved (Romans 10:13). The gospel teaches that Christ
died, was buried, and rose again (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). If you trust upon
that to save you, you are saved. Christ died, that's history; Christ died
for me, that's salvation! Amen!
Conclusion of the Matter
There are many Satanic deceivers in the world (2nd John 1:7; Revelation 12:9). Sadly, the International Churches of Christ are amongst them. Anyone who teaches that water baptism is required for salvation is a filthy liar. If you think it is merely a matter of differing religious opinions and not worth fighting over, then you need to be saved my friend. As a born-again believer who loves the Lord Jesus Christ (Who is the living Word of God), I am compelled to preach the truth. I am not worried about offending people with the truth; I am worried about not offending people. The truth always leads to either revival or riot!
I love all people and respect their right to disagree with me. I am thankful that I have a right to disagree with them. America is great because we have the right to disagree with each other. A truly free society is one is which it is safe to be unpopular. The truth is not too popular these days, nor has it ever been. We are living in an information war, in the spiritual realm as much as in the secular realm. With the increase in modern technologies and mass communication, the information war has greatly intensified. We are living in the Last Days prophesied of in the Bible.
Although a great nation is one in which its citizens have a right to disagree with each other; God will not bless a nation that disagrees and rebels against His Word. Freedom is being able to make our own choices; Liberty is the reward for making the right choices. Tragically, Americans have overwhelmingly chose to worship false gods. Church of Christ worship a different God than the God of the Bible, because they are following doctrines of devils (1st Timothy 4:1) instead of the doctrine of Christ (2nd John 1:9).
As a consequence, God's judgment is upon our nation. I cringe when I hear people talk about religion like it's no big deal what a person believes. It's not a basket of goods where you can pick and choose your favorite religion. God will curse the nation that disobeys the Bible, God's Law. The Church of Christ angers God, because they lead souls into Hell through their false gospel of Baptismal Regeneration. Find a church that preaches the Word of God from the King James Bible!
“A demonic spirit's favorite activity is making a person feel religious without an understanding of the Word of God.” —Pastor Max D. Younce
