This writing contains tons of scripture necessary as proof text. It also requires some introduction as to what brought me here, necessary for friends and family who read my posts. As a result, it may turn into a two or more days series. Please bear with me and hear God’s Word.

Before getting into why I am asking God this question and presenting it to you, I must share a bit of testimony about what is going on that has me asking this question, and where God has me at this time in my life.

I recently joined a local Church of Christ fellowship. Yes, I received baptism to do so, not because I believe I came to them as a lost soul. My life bears fruit in every area God’s word tells us proves our union and calls us to evaluate ourselves. I pass the test spoken of in 2 Corinthians 13:5-6.

After my baptism, I told them I will not deny the work of God’s Spirit that has grown me. To deny the spiritual growth I already have seems to me as blasphemous. I cannot do that. But I dug into baptism and learned a deeper truth concerning having a right heart in it. Convinced that I needed to make sure I had a right heart in the receiving of that baptism, I was baptized into this fellowship.

I’ve been baptized twice before in my life. The first was at the age of nine+, when I recognized Christ as Savior and my need of Him. It was in a fundamental Baptist church that believed a whole lot like the Church of Christ. Baptism was treated as a vital part of the steps of salvation. It is not done as some testimonial show, but is a vital part of entering into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection to new life.

In my recent baptism, I realized just how much the first breath when coming out of that water is like the first breath of a new born babe. It is a vital part of rebirth, the receiving of new life with new breath that starts our journey into a life that is, in that instant, a clean slate, ready for new input. But I was young when I first received baptism, and it was long ago, so I cannot recall my heart attitude and level of understanding in it.

The second time was in my mid twenties. God was dealing with me on my level of commitment and degree of surrender to Him in my obedience to and trust level in Him as a disciple of Christ. Speaking with my pastor at the time, we decided that it would be a good thing for me to just make sure of my stance in Christ, by going through the steps of salvation, including baptism, with that full understanding of the commitment I was making in heart. Thus, I was baptized anew.

Still, with many years behind me, I could not recall if my attitude of heart was in line with my deepened understanding regarding the significance and importance of baptism to salvation. Desiring to make sure my heart was right and my baptism was done with full understanding of its importance to the salvation process and it’s significance, I walked into those cold, baptismal waters and made sure my commitment in Christ.

That little sidestep of testimony behind me, let’s return to my reason for going to the Church of Christ in the first place.

Since my husband‘s passing, I have felt very out of place in the church I was attending. I just did not feel like I belonged there in this new season. I missed Johnny, and I felt like it was not right being there without him. I was a square peg. Not knowing where to even begin to look for where God wanted me, I asked Him where I needed to start. He immediately brought to mind the Church of Christ.

Now, I did not just go with that thought. That is not my practice. First I called on friends to pray, then I got into God‘s word, and began to ask Him to confirm for me the word heard. In my daily reading, scriptures stood out to me, not only confirming that I was hearing God clearly, but instructing my heart in the purpose and heart attitude I was called to have on this journey. I was instructed to go with a humble and submissive heart toward God, having ears to hear with a listening heart, ready to be as the men of Berea, who did not just receive the word preached, but dug into the word of God to prove its truth.

So, I am immersing myself in the Word of God as I consider the teachings of the Church of Christ, digging into the scriptures to find truth. My heart cry is for truth. Most of what I am finding, I have long believed, and practiced. There is really not that much, so far, that I cannot stand in agreement with, from what I already know, believe, and practice. But there is still much study to do, as there are many areas that I question, especially end time beliefs.

And I ask questions. Right now I am digging into Ephesians, letting God teach me and show me all that He desires me to know. I started with Ephesians because my scripture focus for spiritual growth this year is in this book. I begin that focus by looking at it in context to the full thought process it flows from. As I draw near to the conclusion of my own study, I will dig into notes that were given to me by the preacher’s wife, from the preacher’s notes on the study of the New Testament at the church I attend, and see where we agree and where I need to ask questions.

This commitment to God’s calling will take time. God has called me to full immersion, so even when I miss in person fellowship because of sickness and the like, I do a Church of Christ service online. Lord willing, I will soon make a month long trip to my daughter’s, to be there for the birth of a granddaughter’s first child. Usually I would go with her to church, but I am fully committed to God in this season and will look for a Church of Christ fellowship to attend.

“So, Darlene,” you ask, “what brought you to the question at hand, “Is ‘legalism’ a manmade philosophy?” This piece is long already, so let’s start here in my next post.