r/churchofchrist

Does anyone use AI for Sermon Prep? Greek studies or illustrations?

My father-in-law (RIP) was life-long member of the Churches of Christ.  Not a leader, he was a reliable attender and giver, and he was a painfully honest observer of what he saw and saw and saw and saw.  Regarding our mistreatment of preachers he said, “If we were in legitimate business, we would get sued.  If we were in illegitimate business, we would get shot.”

As it is, only our preachers are in the line of fire. 

How much fire?  Get one of our preachers alone and in a talkative mood and ask them to honestly tell you about the things they have suffered at the hands of elders and other leaders.  Be prepared for some horror stories, but I don’t think you will be shocked because I think you probably know what you are barely able to admit.    

 Maybe it’s time we count the costs of our mistreatment of ministers.

 ·        “Oh, again” is the nonplused response of a church’s next-door neighbors to another firing/forced resignation/whatever.  The community has seen it repeatedly.  They know.  What do you think they think of us?

 ·        What do you think preacher’s kids think of us.  They have front-row seats to the beat downs, and they are not encumbered by fake adult politeness.  How would you like to be an elder and KNOW that there are PKs out there who will never darken a church door because of you?

 ·        What about preachers themselves?  They and their wives come to ministry with the highest of motives and the highest of hopes only to watch and wait as their preaching friends get crushed.  Gallows humor forces their fearful anticipation of their own future away, but only for a while.  Why do you think that so many pulpit preachers bail out?  Why do you think that our parachurch ministries are staffed so well?

 ·        Finally, what about our congregations?  Once available in abundant numbers, the supply of preachers is drying up (see 1, 2, and 3 above) and the turnover in veteran preachers is being filled by inexperienced rookies.  Congregations love their “preacher boys,” but no organization can long prosper when experience is replaced by inexperience.

 Clearly, we ought to do better by our preachers and their families, but the question that seems beyond our grasp is “How?”

I can only say that I feel much more comfortable being the preacher who has taken fire than I would feel being a church leader who deserves to get sued or shot.

The thief on the cross was saved in old covenant when Jesus said he would be remembered him. The New covenant didn't start till he took his last breath Even more biblical proof that you can NOT be saved like the thief on the cross. Think of it like this. Your living will doesn't go into effect until you pass. You can't have your final wishes done and be alive too.

The way I understand modesty is to be covered from shoulders to knees- from Genesis when God made tunics for Adam and Eve. But also from the new testament when the Bible speaks of not drawing undo attention by outlandish dress. Is this incorrect?

Editing to explain that this question is not about nakedness. It is about displaying ourselves in immodest ways by over decorating with our makeup and clothing in ways that draw attention to ourselves. Not in the oh what a pretty dress/suit…but when an established Christian suddenly starts wearing garish displays of costume including cosmetics and jewelry.

The Bible says Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.

I’m looking for some advice, perspective, or honestly just to hear from anyone who has walked a similar path and figured out how to navigate these frustrations.

I am currently attending the Church of Christ, and lately, I am deeply struggling with the prevalent "exclusive" worldview. This rigid idea that we are the only ones saved is becoming impossible for me to stomach. From my perspective, it seems to breed a culture of limited spiritual growth. I’ve tried to have genuine, deep conversations with folks about this, but they rarely give it much weight. Usually, the discussion gets shut down with a dismissive, "Well, that’s what the Bible says, so that's good enough for me." There seems to be absolutely zero interest in engaging in any real hermeneutical study.

What's incredibly frustrating is that many who hold this hardline stance don’t actually have a deep or thorough knowledge of scripture. They haven’t put in the study required to earn such a massive conclusion. Instead, it feels like they’ve simply bought into a tribal shortcut—latching onto an implicit invitation of, "Don't you want to be on the right side? Join us." The congregation is systematically fed a narrative that we are uniquely correct while everyone else is wrong, and the flock eats it up. Weekly polemic sermons only reinforce this us-versus-them mentality, ultimately breeding a culture where people simply let the pulpit do the thinking for them.

Even when I do manage to have a conversation with someone willing to look past the standard "the Bible says it" brush-off, it always hits a frustrating dead end. I’ll bring up valid theological points that they don't know how to answer. They will acknowledge the thought and admit they don't have an answer, but then they have zero interest in following up or discussing it further. The conversation just dies, and they immediately default back to the comfort of thinking, "Oh well, I still believe we are the only ones."

To show the extreme logic of this mindset, I sometimes bring up a scenario like Al Braca, the Christian who was trapped in the World Trade Center before it collapsed. Knowing the end was coming in a matter of minutes, he spent his final moments sharing the gospel with the people around him. It’s the ultimate "deathbed conversion" scenario—people wanting to know Jesus, but with absolutely no physical possibility of water baptism. When I ask members, "Do you share the faith in that moment?" the answers vary. Most say yes, but then openly struggle with the follow-up of, "But I thought baptism was essential?" Some say, "I honestly don't know what I'd do." Others give responses that are much more rigid, like hoping for a miracle of survival just so the people could be baptized later. But I actually had one person tell me they would preach the gospel out of obligation, knowing it ultimately wouldn't matter because those people couldn't be saved without water. They literally admitted they would preach only to make people feel comforted in their final minutes, while believing in their heart that those individuals were going straight to hell.

Here is where my personal dilemma gets tricky, though:

I actually still agree with the Church of Christ's doctrinal stance on baptism. Or, at the very least, I think it's much closer to the biblical model than most. I believe baptism is commanded, and I genuinely feel uncomfortable with denominations that completely leave it out of the plan of salvation.

However, I believe there is a vital distinction between a doctrine being clearly commanded and it being strictly essential for salvation in every single circumstance. Ultimately, I do not claim to know exactly who is saved or who isn't, as that judgment belongs entirely to God and His infinite mercy.

Because of this, I find myself deeply aligning with Restoration scholars like John Mark Hicks, Richard Hughes, and C. Leonard Allen. Like them, I still hold a high, serious view of baptism as a beautiful New Testament command.

Where I completely diverge from mainstream CoC culture is the judgment and absolute confidence with which members declare that every single unbaptized believer is going straight to hell. I reject the historical shift that turned baptism into a legalistic, contractual checklist where God is transactionally forced to save us based on our perfect execution of a ritual. Furthermore, I'm tired of the "illusion of innocence" (as Hughes puts it) that makes us think we have zero bias, zero traditions, and a total monopoly on God's grace.

I feel stuck in the middle. I'm uncomfortable with the theological gaps in other churches, but I am deeply pushed away by the arrogant culture of the CoC. I want to belong to a community that puts the grace of the cross at the center, rather than the pride of our own technical accuracy.

Are there actually other Christians in today's Church of Christ who hold this view on grace and actively avoid letting our interpretation of scripture turn into a rigid checklist that only "we" have figured out? To be completely honest, I'm not sure what to do next or if I can even fit in here anymore.

• Has anyone else wrestled with this specific middle ground?
• How did you handle the frustration with the "we are the only ones" mindset without completely tossing out the doctrines you actually believe are true?
• Did you find a way to stay and advocate for a more grace-centered view, or did you find a healthier community elsewhere that aligned better with a cruciform, doctrinally serious faith?

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Thanks.

Note: These are my personal feelings and beliefs, but I used an AI assistant to help me organize my thoughts and clearly articulate them for this post.

BAPTISM…..Let’s talk about it!

Why do people look anywhere else for Biblical answers other than the Bible?

How much of what we believe has been fed to us and how much actually comes from the Bible itself?

How many times have we heard - "I know it says that but I believe... or my preacher said….This is where denominational churches (Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc.). Especially Baptist gets in trouble. Also Charlie Kirk is another one that plays by denominational rules that led alot a people to hell. Also people with that fit the category is John Hagee, Charles Stanley, Kenneth Copeland just to name a few. The most famous one is Billy Graham. Poor people that he's looking for hope replaces God's word with this man's fault teachings to save them. Billy Graham actually treats baptism as a work or “option” as they think they are already saved before hand. This is a false teaching that leading a lot of people to hell.

Another denominational twist that they put on baptism is “What If I get killed in a car wreck going to be baptized, I am saved aren’t I? The answer here is NO. You still fail to follow Jesus command as stated in Mark 16:16 and will be condemned to hell.

Also another popular easy way to be saved taught by denominational teaches it members is:

The Roman Road to Salvation which is highlighted by Romans 10:9 (call on the name of the Lord you will be saved), which is countered by how you should call on the name of the Lord which is found in Acts 22:16. (And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord). I done a full breakdown of these two verses how Acts 22:16 is correct and Romans 10:9 is a false teaching of Baptist churches.

Also more false teachings that is taught by and is not taught by bible was made popular by false TV preachers and false teachings as a whole: I will list them below and let me remind you, you are NOT SAVED by none of these until you follow the command of Jesus in Mark 16:16 and fully follow the Plan Of Salvation!

Sinner Prayer- Not found in the bible.

Asking Jesus in your heart - Not found in the bible.

Confessing by mouth - found in Romans 10:9 and Acts 22:16. One is correct the other is a taught falsely by denominational churches.

Thief on the Cross - This is old old covenant meaning If Jesus said you was saved when he walked the earth. You was saved. No baptism was required. He commands being baptized to be truly saved and it also found in Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, and 1 Peter 3:21.

TV Church isn’t going to save you. If you are healthy and able to go. Go to church! Hebrews 10:25 talks about the importance of going to church to be with other Christian’s.

Church membership by baptism is also a false teaching!

Going before the altar kneeling down and praying thanking you are saved before being baptized. You're not saved!

Lastl If you baptized for not the remission of your sins and to receive the holy spirit. You must be rebaptized for the remissions of your sins and then you receive the Holy Spirit to be truly saved!

Let’s see what the Bible really says about Baptism.

If all we had was the Bible to give us instruction - what would we believe?

Timothy 3:16 confirms the absolute authority of Scripture and its purpose: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, II Timothy 4:3 explains why so many different views can be given on any one subject: For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching

ears want to hear.

Luke writes, in Acts 17:11, that the Bereans were nobler than the Thessalonians because they searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was telling them was right. We should follow

their example.

How do we go about finding what the Scripture says on any given subject?

An easy way is to use a Bible concordance. You can also Google Bible Concordance. Type in the subject you are studying and you will be given all references that go with that subject. Write them down and look them up.

There is probably no greater controversy on a Biblical subject than baptism. In studying baptism let's put aside our beliefs right now and let God's Word do the teaching. Baptism alone will not save. Without faith in Christ and repentance baptism is meaningless.

Question: Is baptism something a sinner does in order to receive salvation and become a Christian, or is it simply a good work done for some other purpose by someone who is already a Christian?

Let's go to the Scripture.

What is the purpose of baptism?

1. Baptism is a cleansing

Many think of baptism as an outward display but it is not. It is an inward cleansing

In Acts 22:16 Paul had been fasting and praying for three days (Acts 9:1-19) when God sent Ananias to Paul with the following message: "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name." If Paul's sins could have been prayed away surely three days of prayer and fasting would have done it and there would have

been no need for God to send Ananias. Baptism is not a work we do -it is a cleansing and it is blessing we receive through obedience.

Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Baptism symbolically represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. throughout Scripture God uses meaningful symbols (rainbow, circumcision, Lord's Supper, all of

the elements of the Tabernacle, etc).

2.Romans 6:3-4 plainly states that being baptized symbolizes Christ death: Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. It not only represents Christ death but our death to sin and new life in Christ. It is the time we bury

the old busted life and God gives a new life.

Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. Colossians plainly states that we are buried with Christ and we are raised up with Him.

3.Baptism cleanses us and allows the Holy Spirit to indwell in us.

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is the time God has appointed for removing the sinner's guilt and to receive the indwelling

gift of the Holy Spirit.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit Titus 3:4-5

Galatians 3:26-27 shows baptism as a time that we clothe ourselves in Christ: You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

How is baptism done?

1. We are told in Acts 2:41 that 3,000 were baptized on the Day of Pentecost when Peter preached the first gospel sermon. It is very unlikely that the apostles baptized all 3,000 but that after being baptized they began baptizing each other.

The Corinthian Christians, in I Corinthians 1:13-17, were bragging on who baptized them. Paul was quiet disgusted with this attitude. Paul points to the fact that it was Christ who was crucified for them and that He is the one who gets the glory. It would appear, from Scripture, than anyone who has been baptized can baptize. It is certainly not something that 'only preachers' can do.

2. The Bible baptism is always immersion.

A. The word baptism comes from the Greek word "baptizo." In explaining the meaning of baptize the Greek lexicons consistently uses the following terms: plunge, immerse, submerge, sink, and go under. Acts 8:35, John 3:23, Matthew 3:6

B. Sprinkling was not used by the apostles or early Christians. There is no record of sprinkling until 300 A.D. It wasn't until 1311 A.D. that sprinkling became the general practice by the Catholics. It was never a practice of the early Christians.

C. Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Romans 6:3-7: Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

General questions:

1. What about my family beliefs?

Don't make your arguments around someone else. The decisions you make in life are your decisions and you will answer for them. We need to get back to doing Bible things the Bible way.

2. Who should be baptized?

Anyone who has come of age to realize their sins and are able to repent and accept Christ as Savior and Lord should be baptized.

The original sin concept (born with sin) is not taught in the Bible but originated with St. Augustine. Jesus said in order to be converted we must become as a child - Matthew 18:2-3. Baptism is an individual's choice. Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:26-27You can be baptized until you are water log, but if your heart isn't into it you are just a soaked sinner.

3. How do you know if you should be re-baptized?

There is a case of rebaptism in the Acts 19:4-5. At Ephesus Paul met disciples who had known only the baptism of John the Baptist. John baptized 'unto repentance' but Christian baptism is 'into Christ', Paul re-baptized these.

They are cases that kids got rebaptized when they get older. They are nothing wrong with this.

Occasionally there are those who feel certain that at the time of their baptism their motives were not pure (girlfriend, boyfriend, family, to take communion, or maybe they were baptized just to take church membership, etc.). The reason is Jesus. We are baptized into Christ.

4. Do I have to be baptized and when?

Jesus commanded it. Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:18-20

With every conversion in the book of Acts there is an immediate baptism: 2:38 8:12; 10:48;

16:15; 16:33; 18:8; 22:16

5. What is God asking you to do?

In the book of II Kings we find the story of Naaman the leper. II Kings 5:1-14 relays the following:

There was a captain of the Syrian army by the name of Naaman. Naaman had become a leper.

His wife had a servant girl that told him of a prophet in Samaria that could cure him. Naaman finally went to see Elisha, the prophet in Samaria. Elisha sent a messenger to him with the following instructions: "Go wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you and you shall be clean." This made Naaman furious. He was expecting some great

experience, or at least to be sent to the nicer rivers of Abanah and Pharpar - but not to the nasty

Jordan. "Then his servants came near to him and said, "My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?" At that point Naaman believed and obeyed. It's all about complete surrender. It's all about obeying and committing.

I know there are several preachers who view this forum. This is for you.

Please, continue to preach and teach the Word, but consider what you’re preaching.

Are you preaching meat? Or milk?

I listen to several podcasts of sermons each week, and there is a “pattern”. Most of the teaching is topical built around common themes of “why we should study the Bible” or “a six-week series on baptism”.

While those are good, and needed, those “milk” sermons stunt growth.

Consider what you preach. Is it what the congregation actually needs?

I’m curious on some of your opinions on Foy E Wallace Jr. in the church of Christ community, and what are some interesting teachings some of you have heard or read about from him?

I have a Muslim friend with two wives, one in the US and one in Djibouti. He has children with both women. If he were to convert to Christianity, would he have to get rid of one of his wives? I know some denominations would allow him to keep the wives he has but not marry more. What is the COC position? I'm sure missionaries frequently run into this issue but I have never heard one speak on it.

Hi yall,

I joined a non institutional church not too long ago. The elders interviewed me as a requirement to join my local NI church. I heard that there have been some rather strict requirements to join the NI churches from a mainline Church of Christ.

I have heard that sadly some NI churches require new members from the mainline churches to confess the " sin" of being in a mainline Church of Christ in order to join their NI church. I disagree strongly with that NI practice....Have any of yall heard of something similar or even stricter? Luckily me and my family didnt run into those strict requirements.

I'm wondering if you all have any favorite CoC preachers you can recommend who have videos online to watch.

[DISCLAIMER: I do NOT believe you must call yourself the Church of Christ to go to heaven, only you must be immersed in water for the forgiveness of your sins, and you know what sin is.]

Everyone seems to go in one of 3 groups in the Church:

1. "Everyone else goes to hell, let them die."

2. "Eh, it's fine, they'll go to heaven, let them be."

3. "This place sucks, I'm leaving."

Why can't we get 1 (majority position) without the apathy? If we're meant to be the early Church, shouldn't we want to get EVERYONE to heaven? Has nobody actually considered this? I feel like I'm going crazy!

We have 2 million people across the world. If we just get the 1 million and America, and start with re-uniting the DOC and the COC (the only difference is instruments, is it that big of a deal, people?) then we move on to the smaller congregations of Baptists (who are by far the closest low-church denomonation of Christianity to us), we could build up to tackling the larger deals.

Even though the Church of Christ could never possibly re-unite with the Catholics (unless the grace of God is with us, then I suppose it'd be possible), if we just managed to snatch a few congregations of the Baptists, that'd be a huge win!

Most congregations I've been to the only time we've really gotten together is just Sunday Bible Study/worship, Wednesday night/mid-week Bible Study or whenever there was an event. The scripture says and we say "the church is the people" and not the building and I'd like to see more of an example of that. I'm curious to know and hear about experiences from people who've worshipped with other Christians that they have spent a lot of time outside of the scheduled events and building with?

Over the last few months, there has been a rise of the TikTok preacher discussing baptism, the work of the Holy Spirit, and general apologetics.

Some of these men, with a few women, are doing a good job. Others? They’re making us look like bumbling fools.

I watched a “live” of one of these men, and he was busy cleaning his floor while arguing over baptism. But hey, nice overalls!

There is a right way to plant seeds, and I hope these people are successful, I truly do.

It’s important to remember that we are not “apostles to the Internet”, but to be salt and light to our local bodies and communities.

If you’re on there teaching and talking, do it well. Represent us in a way that represents our Savior appropriately.