CoC’ers Follow a Campbellism Script

I’ve kept pleading for CoC leaders to be honest with their flocks and the fact that they have no biblical answers for why they keep promoting their heresies. But, so far, they have still refused to do so. However, as a result of their refusal, there are those who are now starting to catch on and see through their lies and cover-up schemes, because their manipulative maneuvers make it so manifestly obvious.

Here is only one example of the kind of interactions one may expect from CoC leaders when they are confronted with Scriptures that disprove their heretical “traditions.” These emails (below) began at the start of this year (2021). Included is a link they sent me to their podcast concerning the thief on the cross. So readers can listen to it themselves, just to get a glimpse of the shenanigans I’ve had to deal with all these years.

Carefully notice how their “answers” go strictly by the Campbellite “playbook” that I’ve exposed throughout my book.  And once their “script” is proven to be completely at odds with God’s Word, they do what they even admit are “back-flips.”  lol

At the end, I brought my husband into the picture, for these guys started to really creep me out. Plus, I started having horrible flashbacks of how crazy CoC intimidation can get once they become intimidated by the truth, because they fear being exposed as the wolves in sheep’s clothing that they really are.

We’ve waited in vain for months, for a biblical response from them. Just recently they put up some new podcasts about baptism, so we were hoping they’d finally come out and admit the serious flaws in their Campbellism ideology. But, to our total dismay, they were even more adamant than ever in pushing their false gospel. And sadly, they are still deceitfully hiding the truth from their flocks.

They continued to confirm everything I’ve written about, and yet, they still have no shame. Instead, they keep trying to convince people that if anyone opposes their heretical doctrines, then according to them, they are just “trying to justify an excuse to hold to family traditions,” or an excuse to tread “a path of least resistance.”  The irony!!  While they claim to be against easy believism, they admitted that their so-called “salvation through baptism” is… so easy.   Ugh!   

They still seem to be completely oblivious to the fact that baptismal regeneration is just as heretical as decisional regeneration!

I was also shocked to find that they went to the extreme of trying to use the Gadarene demonic story, in the gospels, to promote baptismal salvation! When they told of how the swine were drowned in the water, after Jesus had cast demons into them, these CoC leaders even had the gall to say, “there’s that word water again!” AS IF THAT SCENARIO COULD EVER POSSIBLY SUPPORT THEIR WATER GOSPEL!!   WOW!!!  They are really getting desperate!

It is utterly unbelievable and truly tragic that so many are blindly following these blind leaders who are leading them into an eternal ditch! I sincerely pray that God opens their spiritual eyes before it is forever too late. For they are absolutely clueless when it comes to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Here is the email thread I mentioned earlier:

On Jan 8, 2021, at 1:59 PM, Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

Hello,

Can you please explain how a person can be saved?

From: Soul Training <soultrainingpodcast@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, January 8, 2021 2:14 PM
To: Lee Anne Ferguson <godlee4@live.com>
Subject: Re: How can a person be saved?

Hi Lee Anne,

Are you interested in personally learning of God’s plan of salvation or would you like this discussed in a future episode of Soul Training? Or both?

Joe

On Fri, Jan 8, 2021 at 8:46 PM Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

Both would be great!  Thanks

From: Soul Training <soultrainingpodcast@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2021 2:41 PM
To: Lee Anne Ferguson <godlee4@live.com>
Subject: Re: How can a person be saved?

Hi Lee Anne,

First of all, thanks so much for listening to Soul Training.  As you know, it’s a bit of a new venture for us but we have very much enjoyed the process. 

Our God wants us to come home to Heaven with him, so he’s made the process relatively easy to understand.  The short answer to your questions is:

1) Hear the word – Romans 10:17 – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”

2) Believe that Christ is the only Son of God – John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

3) Repent – Luke 13:3 – “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Repentance is a turning away from sin in one’s life.

4) Confess –  Matthew 10:32-33 – “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

5) Be baptized 

• Matthew 28:19 – ” Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 2:38  – “And Peter said to them “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
• 1 Peter 3:21 – “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”
• Acts 8:26-38 – This passage speaks about the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip.  Philip preached the word to him and the Ethiopian eunuch made the chariots stop as soon as they saw water in order to be baptized.  (I didn’t type it all out due to the length)

6) Remain faithful – Revelation 2:10b – “…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

We’re going to do some episodes over salvation and will go into more depth on all of the above.  We haven’t recorded those shows yet so it may take a month or two to get them all published.  Our publishing schedule is typically a month behind our recording schedule.

If you’re in the Glasgow, KY area, we’d love to meet you for more study, or if not, we could do a virtual meeting through Zoom, Facetime, etc.

Can I ask you a couple of questions to help us in our endeavor?

1) How did you hear about Soul Training?

2) Are there any other topics you’d like for us to discuss besides the above?

3) What area of the country are you in?

I look forward to hearing back from you Lee Anne.  

In Christ,

“Big show” Joe   …….{ugh! can the arrogance be any more obvious?} Brackets mine

On Jan 10, 2021, at 6:36 PM, Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

Hi Joe,

Thank you for your response. We check WCLU every so often and seen the announcement for your podcast. I appreciate you taking the time to reach out. My husband and I live in Summer Shade, KY and I grew up in the CoC, but a more strict one than South Green. When I would attend SG as a teenager, with a friend of mine, it was a much more liberating experience!! However, the basic doctrines were the same. Your explanation of the plan of salvation has clarified that this is still the case, and I would love to continue to discuss this further with you, if you have the time. I want you to know that I sincerely love my CoC people, and yes, I still consider them my people who are dear to my heart, even though so much time has passed since I’ve been a member of the CoC. 

Thanks again for your time. 

Love in Christ,

Lee Anne

From: Soul Training <soultrainingpodcast@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2021 8:22 PM
To: Lee Anne Ferguson <godlee4@live.com>
Subject: Re: How can a person be saved?

It was really nice of WCLU to feature us for that story.  The reporter, Brennan Crain, was one of our first listeners.

It turns out that Allen Jones lives fairly close to Summer Shade.  Would want to meet with him? Or maybe have a phone call to speak about the subject of salvation further?  All he’d need is a phone number.

Also, I wanted you to know that because of your recommendation, we recorded our first episode on Salvation tonight.  The episode should be released sometime in February.  There are two more (Heaven and Hell) scheduled to be released before it.

I’ve enjoyed corresponding with you, Lee Anne.  You’ve encouraged me!

I hope we can encourage you as well 😃

In Him,

Joe

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 12, 2021, at 7:55 PM, Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

Hi Joe,

The reason I brought up this subject is because there is nothing more important than salvation, and being that I come from a CoC background, I can remember that the thief on the cross posed a huge problem for our plan of salvation that seemed to indicate the impossibility of anyone being saved apart from being water baptized. So I truly believe that your series on salvation would not be complete without a full discussion of the thief on the cross.  I’m sorry if this seems to be too much to ask. It is only a suggestion. But there has to be a reason that God would give us the testimony of that thief, even though there is no scriptural proof that he had ever been baptized. 

I appreciate your time and consideration.

Love in Christ,

Lee Anne

From: Soul Training <soultrainingpodcast@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2021 8:27 PM
To: Lee Anne Ferguson <godlee4@live.com>
Subject: Re: How can a person be saved?

Lee Anne,

I just wanted to let you know that we just released the first episode on salvation last Friday and we recorded an episode on the thief on the cross tonight.  

We haven’t forgotten about ya!

Joe

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 24, 2021, at 7:34 AM, Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

Hi there! I’m sorry but I couldn’t find it. Maybe you could send a link?

Thanks for your time,

Lee Anne

From: Soul Training <soultrainingpodcast@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 11:31 AM
To: Lee Anne Ferguson <godlee4@live.com>
Subject: Re: How can a person be saved?

The last episode that came out is entitled “Sin is the problem.  What’s the solution?”

This starts the conversation on salvation.  The thief on the cross episode will be released in a few weeks.

You can look on the podcast app on your phone or anchor.fm/soultraining 

Joe

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 24, 2021, at 8:29 PM, Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

Thanks, I look forward to it.

From: Soul Training <soultrainingpodcast@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2021 8:35 AM
To: Lee Anne Ferguson <godlee4@live.com>
Subject: Re: How can a person be saved?

Hey Lee Anne!

Here is a link to out Thief on the Cross episode.  I hope you enjoy it! https://anchor.fm/soultraining/episodes/Listener-Mail—The-Thief-on-the-Cross-Explained-esf5ci

Sorry it took so long to get published…

Joe

Sent from my iPhone

On March 21, 2021 at 8:15 PM, Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

Thank you for kindly taking the time to address this issue. I will try to get around to listening to the podcast as soon as possible, and Lord willing, I’ll try to get back with you with a meaningful response that will hopefully be edifying for all of us.

On March 22, 2021 at 8:15PM Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

Dear Sirs,

Again, thank you for your time and consideration. It is now hoped that the time, study and prayer that has gone into this response will also be appreciated, for there is nothing more important than soul matters.

Being that we should speak where the Bible speaks, it only seems fair that listeners should also be informed that the Bible is clear that both thieves had mocked Jesus (Mt. 27:44; Mk. 15:32).  This is a crucial point, because it proves that something supernatural happened to the one thief, for his heart was changed through the power of the gospel, whereas the heart of the other thief was not (See also: Jer. 32:40, Ezek. 36:26).

It is understood that although Jesus proclaimed the gospel, which is Himself, the CoC claims that the gospel wasn’t preached until after Pentecost, thus an extreme emphasis on Acts 2:38. However, the Bible shows that John the Baptist preached the same “remission of sins” doctrine before Pentecost that Peter preached on Pentecost, and both pointed to the righteousness of Christ for the remission of sins. 

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins” (Rom. 3:25, emphasis added).

The CoC claims that the church didn’t come into effect until Pentecost.  However, the Bible reveals that God’s church was in full function way before Pentecost (e.g. Mt. 18:17, Lk. 12:32, Acts 2:47). So considering the fact that the CoC teaches that one must be baptized into its church, and that salvation is only in its church membership package, it must first answer the question….exactly what church did John’s baptism put people into, if there was supposedly no church until Pentecost?

It is greatly appreciated that there was at least an admission on the podcast that the typical CoC assumptions concerning the thief on the cross are likened to doing back flips.  So true!  For if the thief on the cross was saved because he was earlier baptized by John, then that would still throw a huge monkey wrench into the whole CoC system. For it admittedly teaches that John’s baptism was obsolete after Jesus’ death.  And the thief died after Jesus!

Scripture reveals that the two thieves had their legs broken in order to speed up death, but not Jesus, for He had already died! Sothe thief on the cross was no longer under the Mosaic dispensation right before he died. Jesus died before the thief! Therefore, the New Covenant was immediately in force upon the thief before he died!

“For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.  For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth” (Mt. 26:28, Heb. 9:16-17, emphasis added).

Furthermore, the other back flip would make it seem as though Jesus no longer has the ability and authority to forgive sins today, which would contradict Scripture, for Jesus is God in the flesh and still has  pre-eminence in all things (e.g. Col. 1:18; 1 Jn. 1:9).

More questions were generated on your podcast when it was stated:

 “Jesus being King of kings could still do as He wished”… until He died and then He couldn’t ?!?! 

 “The terms of the new covenant had not yet been given.”  [?]

Moreover, it was stated:

“For us, we must follow what Scripture teaches about salvation.” –  Which implies that Scripture teaches another gospel, other than the gospel that Jesus taught before He died on the cross!  But that would create a false dichotomy between Jesus and Scripture!  

Questions were also generated when you all stated:

“Keys had not yet been given, more steps were included later.” [?]

“The Kingdom was a future reality before His death.” [?]

“The church is the earthly manifestation of the kingdom.” [?]

“The kingdom is synonymous with the church.” [?}

It is understood that Alexander Campbell established the “Millennial Harbinger” magazine in 1830, as a major tool for developing unique doctrines, which are still molding CoC practices today.  It was also used to promote his strange eschatological (end times) views and his claims of “restoring” God’s kingdom on earth. He ignored the biblical tension of the “already” and the “not yet.” This is why the CoC still claims to be that “restored kingdom on earth.”

However, the true gospel of the kingdom that Jesus preached, is the gospel of God’s sovereign rule and reign over sin, death and all things… including salvation (e.g. Mk. 1:14-15), which will only be fully consummated in the end.

Lastly, dear Sirs, it was stated that if there is a listener that writes in, their questions will be answered. And such a commitment is greatly appreciated, for it will hopefully clear up so much confusion, for this podcast has generated more questions than answers.  Listeners need airtight expositions of Scripture that cannot be refuted or resisted biblically.  If this cannot be done, then there may need to be some serious Soul Searching before there can be any Soul Training.

Sincerely in Christ,

Lee Anne

March 24, 2021 at 6:48 AM, Soul Training wrote:

Hey Lee Anne!

I forwarded your list of questions to Daniel and Allen and they said it would better to answer them over a zoom call, phone call, or in person rather than going back and forth in email.

Would you be interested in any of the above options?

Joe

Sent from my iPhone

March 25, 2021 at 9:44 AM Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to reach out. As it was stated earlier, it would only be fair for all listeners to be informed concerning these issues. If you are not comfortable answering these issues by email, then we will patiently wait for the next podcast that will hopefully utilize tightly-knit expositions of Scripture that can mend all of the Bible gaps that were left wide-open in the previous podcast.

In order to advance the cause of Christ, we sincerely hope that serious, biblical, honest and prayerful consideration will be given to these issues, for these are vital elements of the biblical narrative that have already been swept under the rug, by the CoC, for way too long, while precious souls have been at stake.

Sincerely Serving the Savior,

Tony and Lee Anne

From: Soul Training <soultrainingpodcast@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2021 11:11 AM
To: Lee Anne Ferguson <godlee4@live.com>
Subject: Re: How can a person be saved?

Hi Tony and Lee Anne,

We may be able to do a follow up episode at some point down the line, but answering your questions via email or just on the show could drag out a single topic over several months. L

For now, let me know if you’d like a phone call or a meeting so we can fully answer your questions in a more prudent manner.   We’d love to speak with you on a personally about all of your concerns.

Thanks for your comments and for listening. 

Look forward to speaking with you,

Joe
Sent from my iPhone

March 28, 2021 at 6:59 PM, Lee Anne Ferguson wrote:

So, according to what you’ve stated in your email, answering these simple issues could take several months, via email or on your show. And yet, you then indicate that you can fully answer these questions, as well as all of our concerns in a single phone call or personal meeting?!

Sorry, but it eerily sounds like the “prudent manner,” in which you prefer to fully answer all of these concerns, involves something other than the appropriate amount of time, prayer and study that it would take to answer them biblically and thoroughly in a scripturally expositional manner. 

From then on….there was the sound of crickets. For they cannot defend the indefensible.