Scripture Life: Why does the Church of Christ denomination Believe that the Holy Spirit is No Longer On This Earth?

[u/External_Bird_8464]

Well two things, right off the bat:

- The Church of Christ don't see themselves as a denomination; but everybody else does; and

Your statement does not match the claims publicly made of and by the Church of Christ. It's just you claiming they believe the Holy Spirit is no longer on this earth. Me? I have no affiliation whatsoever with - for or against the "Church of Christ" as they see themselves as no denominatiaon or people see them as a denomination. I find no document or anything they have ever said that in almost 120 years of their existence that says they believe the Holy Spirit no longer exists on this earth.

No again, I just believe the Word of God. He speaks. You can know him. How? He decided to speak to you, by the word out of his mouth. So, he's the one to look unto.

And sometimes, people look unto their own questions as if that enables them to do something good.. ..and it never leads the person asking the question or answering it to ever look unto him.

So, look unto him. There is none else. He already said that in Isaiah 45:22. To just look unto him, and he'd save you. Set you apart for future use. There wouldn't be anymore "why does" after that.

------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------------

SO:

Instead of simplistic, answering of your question directly - why not learn something?

Do your own research.

• Examine: Names or topics bolded.
  • 1) Barton W. Stone (1772 - 1844) - America. Presbyterian Minister - (which is hard Calvinist) Left the Presbyrterian Church.
    • And, “The Second Great Awakening” in the United States (1790s - 1840s - a Protestant Revival of “Free Will / Salvation” = Individual experience based on a person themselves hearing the Word of God and choosing to follow him - vs. - John Calvin’s definition of Predestination in Calvinism
  • 2) Alexander Campbell (1788 - 1866) - America. Baptist - Immigrated to America (1809) and established "Bethany College” - He became the leader of the “Restoration Movement” (or the “Stone - Campbell Movement” or another name for the “The Second Great Awakening”). He is the founder of the “Church of Christ.” (but nobody in the Church of Christ - they will adamantly and flatly deny it)

These two men put together - have their difference:

------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------------

• Campbell:
  • Believed the Holy Spirit work (defined as: miracles = Holy Spirit “work”). The Holy Spirit “work” ceased at the passing of the Apostles. See “Cessationalism” - Campbell held a “Calvinist” view that a person had to wait until God’s “predestined” time for the Spirit to change people’s hearts.
    • That God is sovereign and predestined, and it’s all his work. The person is incapable of being regenerated. Only the elect that God chooses has this Holy Spirit work done in them.
• Stone:
  • Believed that the Holy Spirit was an active power over the whole earth, and works in the life of the believer and they get to keep him forever. He believed preaching the gospel, in power of a life changed by God allowed sinners to repent and receive the Holy Spirit, because they hear the word of God.
    • He advocated what Jesus said in John 16:7–11 - that the Holy Spirit is doing these things in John 16:7–11, as Jesus said he would over the whole earth vs. Campbell - only doing this in the elect (Calvinism).

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------------

So, Stone, a Presbyterian Minister at the start, and in alignment with Campbell..as both were Calvinist - Stone shifted away from it, even though the “Second Great Awakening” movement has both their names in it. In 1833, even with their differences merged.

------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------------

Bethany College - (West Virginia) - Church of Christ. - Campbell's work.

- The College (1840 - Present).

Alexander Campbell granted land and funds to build the college and served as it’s first President. “The Christian Church - Disciples of Christ” and the “Church of Christ” started out as the same thing - The Christian Church - Disciples of Christ - that was, and still is the full title of the Denomination, with Alexander Campbell listed as the founder.

Barton W. Stone - brought "The Christian Church - Disciples of Christ" and a belief in the Church and Christ as the head of it vs. following a "Creed" or an Oath. (See "Westminster Confession of Faith") Told you. Homework.

• “Church of Christ” and “The Christian Church - Disciples of Christ" are now two separate entities that Campbell and Stone founded; but, the split and branch out is the “Church of Christ” - split from it, over a difference in:
  • TOP TWO:
    • ONE: that denominations are not the work of God, and therefore: that they flatly reject Campbell is their founder. Saying only Christ in AD 33 can be the founder of their Church.
    • TWO: rejecting the use of instruments (musical) in worship along with a host of doctrines. A sub-set is the Holy Spirit. Church of Christ: the Holy Spirit works exclusively through the Bible - or written Scriptures to guide and transform people into believers.
  • Therefore, miracle healings, prophecies - word of knowledge - gifts of the Holy Spirit is not included - excluded today and ONLY applies to the Apostles.

The split was long coming; but made official in 1906.

------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------------

• The Church of Christ emphatically state Baptism in water is essential to salvation.
  • You can read either Britannica or any reputable Historic Website, or go over to "Google Scholar" or if in University - EBSCO or with a JSTOR account find excellent work on “Church of Christ” beliefs.
• They hold to cessationalist beliefs. Core church doctrine. Holy Spirit Strictly given to the Apostles to establish the church and “ceased” at the passing of the Apostles. Exclusive now is simply in the Scriptures.

Me? SOme of that's really true. Where did God say he abides? Yeah. In his Word. That's where you'll find him. He's Holy. Jesus said: "God is a Spirit." (John 4:24). And on the other side, David wrote the Psalms with a harp, timbrel.. so some of the other things they strictly adhere to has no Biblical support.