The Only Ones Going To Heaven

I was born into the Church of Christ, so to speak.  My family were  faithful members of the Sansom Avenue church of Christ in Gadsden, Alabama.  I attended various other congregations of the church of Christ well into my forties.  I guess it took me that long to study my way out and evolve, religiously speaking. 

I’m going to give you my two religious world views based on my earlier years and those of today.  In my youth I learned that members of the church of Christ were the only ones going to heaven.  I was told the church had the true message of Holy Scriptures and we were the “ark” of the world.  Everyone else needed to come to us to be saved.  Members of the church didn’t consider themselves a denomination.  The argument was that we were not part of the church, we were the TRUE church of Jesus Christ.  Supposedly, our correct interpretation of scripture had moved us, not to the number one position, but the only position!

We were the only religious body who sang acapella (voice only), took the Lord’s Supper EVERY Sunday, and most importantly, the only religious entity that believed a person was saved at baptism.  That baptism had to be a complete immersion in water too, or it didn’t count.  If you were traveling on your way to be baptized, had a heart attack and died, you weren’t saved either!  Intention didn’t count in the eyes of most preachers. 

We supposedly had the only proper scriptural organization as well.  There were Elders, who shepherded over the flock, and Deacons, who served the church in whatever capacity the elders required.  In reality, the Elders served as super-deacons.  I rarely saw them so concerned over non-attendees that they went out to urge their return.  Those lost sheep might get a “withdrawal” letter but little else.  As “those who watch over your soul” the elders actually were more of a “those who watch over your money”!

Deep down, I always had questions, but relied on the pat scriptural answers given me by the village elders/teachers/members.  Gradually, those answers just didn’t work any more.  I suppose the tipping point came after having children and joining a support group of homeschooling families.  I was very impressed with the religious attitudes of people who, in my earlier years, I would have said were lost. 

After visiting a few Baptist churches, my perspectives completely rolled upside down.  I heard the same scriptures but with different interpretations.  I heard a focus on grace and love.  I learned the importance of a belief in Jesus and that anyone dying on their way to be baptized, was okay!  I also learned of the security of a believer in Jesus.  God wasn’t angry all the time and that we don’t bounce from saved to sinner with one unprayed “forgive me for that one”.

Today, I worship at Church of the Highlands, a multi-campus mega-church.  It is the largest church in Alabama and incidentally, have a group which meets in Gadsden, my old hometown.  We attended that campus recently and the auditorium was packed!  In contrast, many of the churches of Christ I had previously attended were “out of business”.  I guess many of the others woke up too!

If you still attend a church of Christ, I urge you to break free.  Those chains come off easily and you’ll never regret leaving.  You can enjoy worship and absolutely NOT go to hell for it.  Highlands is also online, as are many other churches.  Freedom is awesome!