Western Churches of Christ are strongly anti-Calvinist in their understanding of salvation, and generally present conversion as "obedience to the proclaimed facts of the gospel rather than as the result of an emotional, Spirit-initiated conversion."[59]
Churches of Christ hold the view that humans of accountable age are
lost because of their sins.[60] These lost souls can be redeemed because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice.[60] Children too young to understand right from wrong, and make a conscious choice between the two, are believed to be innocent of sin.[60][61] The age when this occurs is generally believed to be around 13.[61]
Churches of Christ generally teach that the process of salvation involves the following steps:[62]
Because of the belief that baptism is a necessary part of salvation, some Baptists hold that the Churches of Christ endorse the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.[64] However, members of the Churches of Christ reject this, arguing that since faith and repentance are necessary, and that the cleansing of sins is by the blood of Christ through the grace of God, baptism is not an inherently redeeming ritual.[64][65][66] One author describes the relationship between faith and baptism this way, "Faith is the reason why a person is a child of God; baptism is the time at which one is incorporated into Christ and so becomes a child of God" (italics are in the source).[67] Baptism is understood as a confessional expression of faith and repentance,[67] rather than a "work" that earns salvation.[67]
lost because of their sins.[60] These lost souls can be redeemed because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice.[60] Children too young to understand right from wrong, and make a conscious choice between the two, are believed to be innocent of sin.[60][61] The age when this occurs is generally believed to be around 13.[61]
Churches of Christ generally teach that the process of salvation involves the following steps:[62]
- One must be properly taught, and hear (Rom. 10:17, Matt. 7:24)
- One must believe or have faith (Heb. 11:6, Mk. 16:15-16)
- One must repent, which means turning from one's former lifestyle and choosing God's ways (Acts 2:38, 17:30, Luke 13:3)
- One must confess belief that Jesus is the son of God (Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:36-37)
- One must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Romans 6:3-5; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16)
- One must remain faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10).
Because of the belief that baptism is a necessary part of salvation, some Baptists hold that the Churches of Christ endorse the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.[64] However, members of the Churches of Christ reject this, arguing that since faith and repentance are necessary, and that the cleansing of sins is by the blood of Christ through the grace of God, baptism is not an inherently redeeming ritual.[64][65][66] One author describes the relationship between faith and baptism this way, "Faith is the reason why a person is a child of God; baptism is the time at which one is incorporated into Christ and so becomes a child of God" (italics are in the source).[67] Baptism is understood as a confessional expression of faith and repentance,[67] rather than a "work" that earns salvation.[67]
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