church of Christ and the Rapture

[DiscipleOfIAm]

I asked this question in their forum, but they do not have as many posters nor is it visited very often.

I read a post in their forum that said coC rejects the Rapture. They do not believe in it. Is this true? Does anyone know? Is it true for all RM churches? I know it is hard to speak for coC, especially since they are not an actual denomination and have not central headquarters, etc. Each church is its own.

I grew up in the Christian Churches (RM) and do not recall if we ever leanred the Rapture or not. I remember that I did not learn about the Trinity until long after leaving home and marrying my wife and visiting another church. I always thought it was three people, not one being three.

Anyway, just curious!

God Bless!

[Joykins]

My understanding is that many of the restoration movement churches are amillenial and amillenialists usually do not believe in the rapture.

[DeaconDean]

My understanding is that many of the restoration movement churches are amillenial and amillenialists usually do not believe in the rapture.

How right you are. Here is what the wikipedia has on the Church of Christ:

Premillennialism
(See also the section on Eschatology.) A separate division took place in the 1930s over premillennialism. A controversy focused on the teachings of Robert Henry Boll and was fomented by opponents of the doctrine. Boll was removed from the editorship of the Gospel Advocate over a series of articles on biblical prophecy which he published during his tenure as front-page editor from 1909 to his dismissal in 1915.
The premillenialists pointed out, with some justification, that Stone, Campbell, and others among the earliest pioneers of the Restoration Movement, including Tolbert Fanning, James A. Harding, and David Lipscomb, held premillenialist or postmillennialist views. From the point of view of the 20th century millennialists, those who insisted on an amillennialist perspective were divergent from the traditional attitude that the lack of certainty among Churches of Christ over eschatology meant that latitude of belief should be permitted.
The majority amillenialist faction referred to the premillenialist interpretation of prophetic scripture as "speculation" and pointed out that though other leaders within the Restoration Movement had so speculated, these earlier leaders had never sought to spread their eschatological views, as they now accused Boll and other contemporary premillenialists of doing.
Boll was widely recounted as a gentle man: transcripts of debates between Boll and his critics indicate that he was publicly respected by them, not least for his lack of insistence that others agree with his views. As a consequence, Boll's legacy within the "pre-mill" churches would go on to include a reverence for his emphasis on the "in non-essentials, liberty" clause of the Restoration Movement's hemeneutic basis.

Eschatology

In terms of eschatology, Churches of Christ are generally amillennial, although there are several (fewer than 100) congregations which are premillennial and follow the teachings of the late Robert Henry Boll (1875-1956). This group sponsors several schools in Louisville, Kentucky, under the name Portland Christian School system, including Portland Christian School. It also holds two annual seminar series: the Kentucky/Indiana Christian Fellowship Week and the Central Louisiana Christian Fellowship Week.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ

So yes, they are tradionally amillenialists and reject the notion of a rapture.

God Bless

Till all are one.

[Matthan]

I am simply not that well versed on coC or RM, so I will withhold comment on that. Will there be a "rapture" just before the beginning of the great tribulation? I believe the Bible is very clear on that issue, and yes, there will be an instant when almost all Christians will be "caught up" with Jesus in the clouds, and it will occur just before the tribulation period begins. I say "almost all" because it appears some may be left behind to fight satan. However, these fighters may also be new Christians converted after the rapture, and not pre-rapture Christians that were intentionally left behind.

I'll ask Jesus when I meet Him in the clouds, and then I will spread the word....

Matthan

[chris777]

I do not believe in a pre tribulation rapture based on thre scripture.
most all the instances I have read are framed, verses, and usually organizes under someoned doctrine, but upon reading the scripture with no "eyes" specifically searching for a rapture, then I just dont see it.
I feel an over all view of both old and new testaments do not demonstrate it.
WE are witnesses, how can we be a witness if we arent present to witness?

[Matthan]

I do not believe in a pre tribulation rapture based on thre scripture.
most all the instances I have read are framed, verses, and usually organizes under someoned doctrine, but upon reading the scripture with no "eyes" specifically searching for a rapture, then I just dont see it.
I feel an over all view of both old and new testaments do not demonstrate it.
WE are witnesses, how can we be a witness if we arent present to witness?
Could you give us those three verses, Chris?

Matthan

[Eusebios]

Many churches do not accept the idea of a "rapture" as currently put forth by many. While I'm not sure what the specific beliefs of the CofC are.
In Xp,
Eusebios
:bow:

[JPPT1974]

I thought it would depend on what
Churches believe in the rapture
As a Southern Baptist, I don't.