Are church of Christ teachings contrary to the gospel?
Subject: Church organization and worship
Claim examined: An article by James L. Melton, discussed in Gary W. Summers’s “Melton’s Skewed Views,” alleges that churches of Christ teach a false gospel, especially concerning the church and baptism.
Scriptural Answer
Jesus said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). The church is His body and He is its head (Ephesians 1:22-23). Romans 16:16 speaks of churches of Christ; that expression describes congregations belonging to Him, rather than establishing an exclusive authorized title. Acts 2:47 attributes the addition of the saved to the Lord.
Scripture teaches salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10) and also describes the response of living faith. James 2:24 cautions against treating faith only as a complete account of obedience. In Acts 2:37-41 the hearers asked what to do, Peter called for repentance and baptism, and those who received the message were baptized.
The New Testament ties baptism to Christ and His saving work, rather than treating water as an independent source of power. Acts 22:16 calls Saul to be baptized and wash away his sins while calling on the Lord; 1 Peter 3:21 expressly says baptism now saves, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, while excluding mere washing of bodily dirt.
The thief on the cross received Jesus’s promise before the apostolic proclamation in Acts 2. His case does not cancel what the risen Lord commissioned His apostles to teach. Cornelius’s household received a visible gift of the Spirit, after which Peter commanded water baptism (Acts 10:47-48). Read those narratives on their own terms rather than assuming the events make that command unnecessary.
These passages provide a way to test specific claims about the church and conversion. The question is what Christ and His apostles actually taught, including the full context of each passage, rather than whether a label or a critic’s description settles the issue.
Biblical Connections — Scripture comparison
Christ builds and purchases His church → The gospel is proclaimed → Hearers respond as the apostles instruct → The Lord adds the saved to His church
These connections summarize the study. An arrow alone does not establish chronology or authority; examine the cited passages.
KJV Scriptures Used
- Matthew 16:18 →
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18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
- Ephesians 1:22-23 →
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22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
- Romans 16:16 →
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16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
- Acts 2:37-41 →
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37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
- Acts 2:47 →
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47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
- Acts 10:47-48 →
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47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
- Acts 22:16 →
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16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
- 1 Peter 3:21 →
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21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
- James 2:24 →
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24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Read each passage in its chapter and compare the Scriptures together.
Further Publisher Studies
- AP Doctrinal Matters — Church organization and worship — Apologetics Press ↗
- Answering the Error — Gospel Broadcasting Network ↗
- GBN tract library — Gospel Broadcasting Network ↗
These outside studies remain with their publishers. They are additional reading, not the authority for this answer. Compare every claim with Scripture.