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DO YOU BELIEVE THAT ALL WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ARE GOING TO HELL?

1.  This question is asked of members of the church of Christ more than any other and perhaps     
      more than all other put together.
2.  Certainly any question being asked so often shows teaching which needs to be done in that      
     area.
3.  Those who ask the question need a good, clear answer which both teaches the truth and           
     eliminates prejudice.
4.  Often when the church of Christ is mentioned the comment is made, "oh yes, they believe       
     they are the only ones who'll be saved."
5.  Many jokes have been told illustrating this attitude.
6.  There are several implications in this question that needs to be examined.

I.  I AM NOT THE JUDGE.
    A.  God is the judge.
          1.  And there is a judgment day coming.  Heb.9:27.
          2.  All nations shall be there - Matt.25:32; 2 Cor.5:10; John 5:28,29.
    B.  God's Word will be the standard of judgment - John 12:48; Rev.20:12.
          1.  If God sees fit to extend clemency in that day, that is up to Him--I certainly would not    
               object.  But He was not promised to do so and I cannot promise for Him.
          2.  To have the promises of heaven one must obey God - Heb.5:8,9.
    C.  God is the judge and I am a teacher - Matt.28:18-20; ark 16:15,16.
          1.  I dare not teach what is not revealed - Gal.1:6-9; Rev.22:18,19.
          2.  The only way I can affect one's eternal destiny is to teach him wrong.  What I think       
               about where someone goes will not determine it.  Hence, my opinion is worthless.

II.  NO DENOMINATION CAN SAVE A PERSON.
     A.  If a man built a denomination and claimed that salvation was in it alone, I would think       
           him exceedingly narrow-minded.
           1.  Any man can build a denomination--but man cannot provide salvation.
           2.  There were no denominations for several hundred years after Christ came, and people   
                were saved during that time.
           3.  If a denomination were necessary, the Lord would have built one.
     B.  Do not all religious bodies claim to be the only New Testament church?
          1.  Generally, they make no such claim.  A few do, but generally, no.
          2.  The popular claim is that a denomination is "part of the N.T. church.
          3.  Most make no claim to being non-denominational.

CONCLUSION:
1.  The plea of the churches of Christ should in no way be considered a plea to unite with anyone 
      but Christ and those N.T. Christians who have fellowship in Him.
2.  It is in no way a call to promote religious division, sectarianism or a spirit of partism.
3.  It is a solicitation to recognize the N.T. as the only standard of faith and practice.
4.  It is an encouragement to put on Christ and His name only--to do Bible things in a Bible way,  
      and call Bible things by Bible names.
5.  It is an invitation to stand where Christians stood before denominationalism came into being.
6.  It affirms the principle of speaking where the Bible speaks and remaining silent where the       
     Bible is silent.
7.  It recognizes liberty in matters of opinion and love in all things.
8.  It is the only way to attain unity of faith and a common standard of practice.

Brethren, let us strive not to be the only Christians, but let us rather strive to be Christian only.