Is the Church of Christ a Cult?

Periodically, when the church of Christ is mentioned, someone will remark, "Oh, you want to stay away from them; they're a cult." We will demonstrate that we are not, but some people may be confusing us with one of two other groups.

About four decades ago, a number of people left the churches of Christ to form what later became a cult. They were known as the Crossroads Church, which morphed into the Boston Movement; at last glance they were referring to themselves as the Church of Christ International. The similarities between us are few.

When people hear the designation, church of Christ, they may be reminded of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). We are not that group, either. One of the characteristics of a cult is that they are led "by a charismatic, self-appointed leader" (from Carol Giambalvo). The way Josh McDowell and Don Stewart phrased this point was: "Cults are characterized by central figures who consider themselves messengers of God with unique access to the Almighty. …he can dictate the theology and behavior of the cult" (Handbook of Today's Religions, 23).

Certainly, this is true of the Mormon Church who still insists that Joseph Smith was a prophet. Their church was built upon his writings, which he claimed was from God. We do not hold these views.

In fact, Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18), which He also purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He is the head of His body, the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). We abide by His teachings (John 12:48) and those of His apostles (1 Corinthians 14:37). Thus, the churches of Christ do not, in any sense, fit this definition of a cult.

Churches of Christ have no leader besides Christ (Matthew 28:18). We not only do not have an earthly head over us; we don't even have a national or international structure. Many denominations have annual conferences to decide what they will believe for the following year; they even vote on it. We never need one because God has already declared in His Word what Christians are going to believe next year, as well as every year after that.

Something More

According to McDowell and Stewart, "cults justify their existence by claiming they have something more than the Bible and its 'inadequate message'" (20).

When we preach and teach, we often ask people not to take our word for anything but instead to study the Scriptures to see if what we are saying is so (Acts 17:11). We are one of the few religious groups who invite critical thinking. Many denominations defend themselves by saying, "That's our tradition," or "That's just the way we do things." Our goal is to follow the Scriptures. How often did Jesus reason with His enemies? As one studies His life, He is constantly encouraging others to think upon the evidence and draw the proper conclusions.

Recruiting and Fundraising

One of Giambalvo's 10 points is that cults are "deceptive in recruiting and fund-raising." We are not deceptive in "recruiting"; in fact, we don't "recruit." We do evangelize, and usually that means we study the Bible with those who are interested. Nor do we engage in fund-raising of any kind. No church practiced fundraising in the first century. Members support the work of the church in their weekly contribution; churches of Christ never appeal to the general public for funds. Furthermore, we do not keep secrets from the members. Every member receives a copy of the budget annually and is free to ask questions about any expense on it. We have no secret accounts or funds. Everything is open and above board. (And the preachers do not own a private jet.)

Historic Teachings

According to McDowell and Stewart, "A cult is a perversion, a distortion of biblical Christianity and/or a rejection of the historic teachings of the Christian Church" (17). The churches of Christ have not changed with respect to the historical teachings on any matter. We study the Scriptures to see what they say.

Consider moral issues, for example. Just look at what various "mainline" religious groups have done. Consider the split that is occurring in the United Methodist Church. Many Methodist Churches are leaving the UMC umbrella because of their favorable policies towards LGBTQ practices.

The Bible has always condemned the sin of homosexuality. Most religious groups have historically been opposed to the practice, but some, bowing to pressure from popular culture, have departed from what the Scriptures teach. We have not changed! Various religions groups are reversing themselves; how inappropriate is it to call those who continue to stand with the Scriptures a cult? We stand with history.

The same is true of worship. Historically, just about every religious denomination opposed the use of instrumental music when it was added to worship—leaders such as John Wesley, Adam Clarke, Charles Spurgeon, Albert Barnes, and others. Now some have turned the concept of worship offered to God into entertainment for their own pleasure. We are not the ones who have changed; once again, we stand with history.

The Deity of Christ and The Godhead

"All cults ultimately deny the fact that Jesus Christ is God the Son, second Person of the Holy Trinity, and mankind's only hope" (McDowell and Stewart 24). Christians cannot hold to any other doctrine but that Jesus is the Son of God. If there is any doctrine that has been upheld by us, this is it. Some of the greatest lessons ever presented by preachers in the church of our Lord have been on this topic. By this one definition of a cult alone we must be excluded. We truly believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and have defended these truths for centuries.

"Another characteristic of all non-Christian cults is either an inadequate view or outright denial of the Holy Trinity" (23). God consists of three personalities, as described in Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14. Although the word Trinity is not used in the Bible, it is clear that there is the Father, the Son (the Lord Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. Once again, we stand with history.

Controlling the Flow of Information

Carol Giambalvo lists an interesting characteristic of cults: they are "zealous in controlling the flow of information; many use mind-altering techniques (such as chanting, meditation, hypnosis, and other forms of repetitive actions) to stop normal critical thinking." No one will find any mind-altering techniques among us.

As for the flow of information, we take people to the fountain of spiritual truth, the Bible, and open up the valve so they can drink. When people visit, and they need a Bible, we provide them with a reliable translation, the New King James. We do not give them a Book of Mormon, a Watchtower publication, or literature published by Seventh-Day Adventists. They receive a Bible and are encouraged to study it.

Furthermore, anyone can ask a question or make a comment in our Bible classes. Discussions are always open. We are not afraid to put our beliefs to the test; over the past two centuries various brethren have participated in numerous debates, including those of Dr. Thomas B. Warren with atheists, which remain in print and are well worth reading. Rather than stifle pertinent Scriptures and data, we say, "Let information flow!"

One Criticism

If there is anything that we are usually criticized for, it is that we do not subscribe to "faith only" theology. Why not? While the New Testament teaches that we are saved by faith, it never says we are saved by "faith only." But don't take this writer's word for it. Consider what the Scriptures present.

We are often unjustly accused of teaching that we can be saved by works. No one can legitimately believe that. No one possesses so much goodness that he deserves to be saved. Only the blood of Christ, the Son of God, can remove sins. Works cannot do it.

A person's "faith," however, will lead him to repent and have those sins washed away (Revelation 1:5). If Hebrews 11 teaches anything, it is that faith acts. Jesus promises salvation to all them that obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Does that sound like "faith only"? Again, Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Does that sound like "faith only"? "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). Does this Bible verse make it sound like we are saved by "faith only"?

Wait! So, are we saved by faith or works? We are saved by faith that obeys God. We are not trusting in ourselves to save us—only Jesus can do that. We have faith in the working of God (Colossians 2:12). He saves us when we repent and are baptized (Acts 2:38). Saul, the repentant persecutor of the church, was told by Ananias: "Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Being baptized does not merit salvation, but it is an expression of compliance with God's commands—the answer of a good conscience toward Him (1 Peter 3:21).

Faith alone (without obedience) is not sufficient to save. Jesus added something in addition to faith: "…unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Will "faith alone" save someone who does not repent? Peter added baptism in connection with repentance to faith in the first gospel sermon preached on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). Repentance and baptism are joined by the conjunction and. Both are necessary if forgiveness of sins is to be granted. Are we a cult because we teach what the inspired apostle did? Judge for yourself.