Affirms
Hell is eternal conscious punishment for the impenitent
Churches of Christ affirm the traditional Protestant understanding of hell as a real place of eternal, conscious punishment for those who die in their sins without redemption. The word 'eternal' in Matthew 25:46 applies equally to punishment and to life, indicating that hell is as enduring as heaven. Annihilationism and universalism are rejected as inconsistent with the plain teaching of Scripture.
The reality of eternal judgment is a significant motivator in Churches of Christ evangelism. The urgency of baptism — understood as necessary for the remission of sins — is intensified by the seriousness of the eternal consequences of remaining unbaptized.
Key Distinctions
- Hell nature:
- eternal conscious torment — place of unending suffering for the damned
- Duration:
- eternal — without end
- Who faces hell:
- all who die unrepentant without faith in Christ
Scripture References
Sources
- Alexander Campbell, The Christian System (1839)
- Alexander Campbell, The Christian System (1839)