Gospel Advocate [Archive] - Christian Forums

Theophorus

21st July 2005, 04:10 AM

Theophorus

9th August 2005, 07:25 PM

I guess that no one reads the Gospel advocate? Is this because it is an obscure or discredited publication?

Or the restorastionists, who wanted to unite all of Christianity still hold to the "fellowship" model; eg who they can speak and eat with.

Or, there are only 2 or 3 restorationists left.

Jim Woodell

9th August 2005, 08:04 PM

Has anyone else noticed a new tone to the Gospel Advocate? I get a chance from time to time to see it, and many articles seeem lately (well maybe a couple of years or so) on the history of the restoration movement.

5, mayby even 2years ago I would not have seen this. I remember even distant threads on this board where members of the CoC denied any history at all except that of being the remnant. It seems like a complete turn around as of late.

I think you have misunderstood the overall tone of the RM. I would encourage you to read any of the historical writings of the RM and I don't think you will find where those who led the RM early on thought the Church of Christ was the remnant. Search for the Ancient Order; Reviving the Ancient Paths; The Stone-Campbell Movement. Any of these, and probably others, refute the idea you have put forth.

It could be that you have been exposed to some narrow-minded brethren who have preached that the Churches of Christ are the only Christians, and if you are not a member of the Church of Christ denomination you are going to hell.

I have been around Jimmy Allen for over 30 years and some of my earliest memories of his preaching refuted the idea that the Church of Christ contained the only Christians. The Church of Christ started out as a unity movement and became a RM over time (at least in the minds of some), and this created a mentality of exclusivism that casued divisions.

The appeal, I am convinced, of the Church of Christ, is to set forth the concept that you can be a Christian and a Christian only without joining any denomination (even the Church of Christ).

Theophorus

11th August 2005, 01:24 AM

It could be that you have been exposed to some narrow-minded brethren who have preached that the Churches of Christ are the only Christians, and if you are not a member of the Church of Christ denomination you are going to hell.

Yes this is true, though I am a little familiar with the movement, origins, and purpose. It does seem to be emphasised more though lately in the advocate, at any rate. I am right in thinking that the CoC now makes up the majority of the restorationists?

Jim Woodell

11th August 2005, 07:56 PM

Yes this is true, though I am a little familiar with the movement, origins, and purpose. It does seem to be emphasised more though lately in the advocate, at any rate. I am right in thinking that the CoC now makes up the majority of the restorationists?

I don't think you would find widespread agreement on the point that CoC "now makes up the majority of the restorationists."

The conservative Christian Church equals in number the Churches of Christ according to recent census numbers.

Theophorus

12th August 2005, 01:40 AM

I don't think you would find widespread agreement on the point that CoC "now makes up the majority of the restorationists."

The conservative Christian Church equals in number the Churches of Christ according to recent census numbers.

Interesting, I was not aware of that.

aggie03

13th August 2005, 12:15 AM

I think when one becomes a Christian they become member of the church of Christ - it does still belong to him, right?

aggie03

13th August 2005, 12:16 AM

Jim Woodell

13th August 2005, 09:55 AM

I think when one becomes a Christian they become member of the church of Christ - it does still belong to him, right?

It is true that a person is added to the body of Christ when they are saved (Acts 2:47;1 Cor. 12:13), however they may never hear of the Church of Christ.

As I am sure you are aware there is only one reference to "Churches of Christ" in scripture (Rom. 16:16). The church is referred to as the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23), and the Church of God (11 x's), the church of the firstborn, etc. All of these different designations demonstrate that God never "named" His Church. That the church belongs to Christ, it's builder, is what Matt. 16:18 and other scriptures teach.

Anyone who has put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and surrendered their lives to him in repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38) are members of the body of Christ, whether they are associated with the Church of Christ or not.

Jim Woodell

13th August 2005, 09:58 AM

More on topic: I have never read the Gospel Advocate though I know many people who do. I wish that I could answer your question, but rather I have another one. How much does a subscription cost, and is it worth the money?

I am sure you can access that information online by just typing in Gospel Acvocate in the search bar.

http://www.gospeladvocate.com/magbod.htm

aggie03

15th August 2005, 02:18 AM

I'm sure their website will tell me that it's something I should purchase ;) What do you think about the publication? What do others things about it?

Theophorus

15th August 2005, 02:23 AM

I'm sure their website will tell me that it's something I should purchase ;) What do you think about the publication? What do others things about it?

Well, I thought it was a standard newsletter for CoC and others. I have read it off and on for years. I would describe it as conservative. Many articles in the past on why instruments are bad. Many articles in the past saying salvation is in the Church of Christ. But as the OP stated, I have notice a change.

aggie03

15th August 2005, 08:14 PM

Well, I thought it was a standard newsletter for CoC and others. I have read it off and on for years. I would describe it as conservative. Many articles in the past on why instruments are bad. Many articles in the past saying salvation is in the Church of Christ. But as the OP stated, I have notice a change.

Would you not agree that salvation is in the church that Christ bought with his blood, literally the church of Christ?

Are the changes that you mentioned in the beginning of this thread the only ones that you've noticed? How severe of change is it?

Jim Woodell

15th August 2005, 09:04 PM

I think when one becomes a Christian they become member of the church of Christ - it does still belong to him, right?

Aggie03, I notice that you are careful to use the little "c" when referring to the church of Christ, but some have observed that the only ones who belong to the church of Christ are those who belong to the Church of Christ. Herein lies the problem.

There are people in the world who have never heard of the Church of Christ that are members of the body of Christ (church of Christ). As a matter of fact, scripture is clear that those who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, surrender their lives to him in repentance and are immersed in compliance with God's will are added to the church of Christ, just as you have noted in your footnotes.

Our ambition as a Church of Christ is to be the church of Christ. Sometimes we have been successful, and sometimes we have not. God will be the judge.

Theophorus

18th August 2005, 01:05 AM

Would you not agree that salvation is in the church that Christ bought with his blood, literally the church of Christ?

Yes I would agree.

Are the changes that you mentioned in the beginning of this thread the only ones that you've noticed? How severe of change is it?

Well, the change is dramatic imo. Being familiar with the remnant explanation as the origin, or history of the church, I find that the artilces as of late depart from previously stated beliefs, or at least acknowledge the roots of the CoC. Yes I know that the roots of the church go back to Christ, but these articles are focusing on leaders of the restoration, their previous denominations and there "vision".