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The Century church of Christ is not a cult but it is dedicated to
practicing New Testament Christianity. It is our desire to follow the
gospel of the New Testament and that alone in religion. In showing
what the New Testament teaches we do show the errors and weaknesses
in many different religions while upholding the truths of the gospel.
This does not make us a cult and in this article we will show the
reasons why.
1. A cult is defined as “an independent religious group which looks
to some special leader”. (Concise Dictionary of Religion). The Century
church of Christ follows Christ alone as our leader. In Life we seek
to walk in His steps (I Pet. 2:21). We are not dedicated to walking
after any man. We are not to think of men above that which is written
(I Cor. 4:6). We love one another but at the same time recognize that
all of us have flaws in our lives and only Jesus is a perfect leader.
We exalt Christ as the head of the church because that is the position
God gave him. In Eph. 1:22,23 we read where God “put all things under
His feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church”. We
listen to the instructions of Christ as found in the gospel because
in these last days God has spoken through Christ (Heb. 1:1,2). It is
Christ who in the future will be our judge and not some man
(Acts 17:31). If the Gospel says it we believe it. What ever the
commands of the Gospel are we seek to obey them. We do rightly divide
the word of truth. We have been accused of accepting the first part
of the Great Commission but not the part which says, “these signs shall
follow them that believe” which is followed by a number of miraculous
signs done by the apostles. The purpose of the signs is shown in verse
20 which is “And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord
working with them and confirming the word with signs following.” We
have the message of the gospel in written form but we do not have the
signs with which it has been confirmed. These were done away in favor
of the Perfect Revelation—which is the New Testament.
(I Cor. 13:8-10; James 1:25). We are to earnestly contend for the faith
which has once for all been delivered (Jude 3). We are to be careful
that we know not add to nor take away from the Revelation of Jesus
Christ (Rev. 22:18, 19).
2. Also a cult according to the dictionary makes claim to a special
Revelation. The most famous cult is Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their special
doctrines include:
a) No eternally burning hell as punishment;
b) the soul is just the life of the person which passes away when
he dies.
The church of Christ in Century teaches what Jesus said about the soul
living after death (Mat. 22:29-32; Rev. 6:9); and that there is an
everlasting fire where there will be everlasting punishment
(Mat. 25:41,46). We emphasize Mark 16:16 about believing and being
baptized to be saved. We emphasize that there is everlasting destruction
to those who know not God and obey not the gospel (2 Thes. 1:7-9). There
are thousands of cults with differing beliefs. We have to test each of
them by New Testament teachings. I Thes. 5:21 tells us to prove all
things and hold fast to that which is good. I John 4:1 tells us to try
the spirits whether they are of God for many false prophets are in the
world. We strive to do this in every Bible class and worship service.
We don’t want to have any peculiar doctrine not taught in the New
Testament.
3. Cults always emphasize “Total Commitment”. They “Brainwash” their
followers into thinking as the leader thinks, talking as the leader
talks, and following a certain discipline of living. To accomplish this
each disciple has a “prayer partner” who counsels him and there are
various group therapies where the individual loses his identity and
becomes a sort of “robot” of the group. They choose his words, his
work, his marriage partner, his recreation, and in other ways control
his life. Century church of Christ certainly does none of this.
Denying self and taking up the cross of Christ is entirely voluntary.
(Mat. 16:24-26). We study for ourselves and so grow in grace and
knowledge of the Lord (2 Pet. 3:18). We all participate in worship
with the spirit and with the understanding (I Cor. 14:15). We
voluntarily present our bodies as living sacrifices and renew our minds
with righteous thoughts (Rom. 12:1,2).
There is a great deal of difference in going back to the Bible for
it all and in the practice of cultism so prevalent in our society.
Do you have questions or comments? Email us at Questions and we will reply shortly.
