COC Vs CC

One question many people have is what is the theological difference between the Church of Christ and the Conservative Christian Church. One does not use musical instruments in worship and the other does. Yet, there are differences beyond that.

1. In baptism the CC is inclusive of those such as Baptists who practice baptism, but do not believe it is for the remission of sins. The COC doesn't necessarily accept others while the CC seldom speaks against the non-remission baptism.

The COC simply holds closer to the biblical view when questions of inclusion arise. Most CC elders and preachers would say baptism is for remission of sins, but do not require others to believe it to have inclusion. Many will not openly say such a group is deviant and therefore outside of Christ.

2. The Church of Christ historically can be recognized going back into Britain and Europe very visible to the 11th century, and Palestine,Africa, and Europe into the 1st and 2nd centuries, the Christian Church seems to be primarily out of the Church of Christ in the 18th century. We have a much clearer historical footprint.

3. Concerning 2 John's requirement of accepting the doctrine of Christ, CC typically spins the verse to only require the doctrine about Christ being the Son of God.

Doctrine of Christ vs Doctrine about Christ.

COC holds the view it is Doctrine of Christ, or that which came from him, his commands and teachings. The teaching Jesus is the Son of God and he came in the flesh is only one narrow part of Christ's teaching.

The CC holds to a narrow view of the verse (Jesus came in the flesh) while the COC believes it means all doctrines coming from Christ. Including baptism, organization, and worship.

In my view it encompasses all truth from Christ.

2Jn 1:9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2Jn 1:10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

Are there ways to tell the difference? I believe so.

There is a special love required toward those who walk in the truth. We are to love all people but our love for those unified in the truth must be open and pronounced. We must cleave to those walking in the truth. The doctrine of Christ here is the love toward those walking in truth. (Truth isn't narrowly applied but broadly applied as God's word)

2Jn 1:1  The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

The Doctrine of Christ is a wide view of his teaching, that all that he taught is truth. Truth is mentioned multiple times in 2 John. It is not saying accept those out of truth, but in truth.

Truth is the basis of 2 John just as truth is the basis of John 17, and the entire Gospel of John

Joh 17:8  For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Joh 17:18  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Joh 17:19  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

The word sanctify means to set apart so that a unity is created. It can be individual sanctification or as a group. Truth as it came from Christ is the basis of unity. We are to be one in truth.

If the CC accepted the Baptists or any other group without truth being the basis, they would be violating Christ's command. Accepting deviant denominations void of truth, equal to those walking in truth, violates Christ's command.

We are to love those walking in truth over those who are deviant.

Thus John commands the unity of Love be in the truth from Christ. Worldly unity, unity in diversity, violates Christ's command.

Many teach that the sole basis of unity is the Doctrine Jesus is the Christ,  but the verse following excludes without including.

2Jn 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

This does not say all who confess Christ coming in the flesh are Christian, but it does exclude all who refuse the confession.

Many religions in the world refuse the confession, but many who accept it deviate from the truth of Christ.