THE ONE TRUE CHURCH
There are many different
denominations (man-made churches)! All
have different founders. All began at
different times and places. Each wears a
name different from the others. Each
worships in its own way. Denominations
differ from one another in organization. They teach different doctrines. They teach different ways to be saved.
It is strange that those who claim
to believe the Bible will accept such confusion. Millions never question it. Others excuse it saying: We are all going to
Heaven. We are just going by different
roads. Some say: One church is as good as another. Still others tell us to Join the church of
your choice.
Does God have a choice? Is there a church revealed in the Bible? If Jesus established a church, should not we
be in it instead of one started by a man? What does the Bible say?
The Bible Condemns Division
Jesus prayed that all who believe
in Him would be one (John 17:20-23). Paul rebuked the church at
Corinth for being divided: Now I plead
with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak
the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10). Christians are commanded to mark those who
cause division by teaching a different doctrine (Romans 16:16, 17).
Only One Church
Jesus promised: Upon this rock, I will build My church
(Matthew 16:18). He did not promise to build many
denominations! He promised to build His
church! He died for His church (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25). No where does the Bible say Jesus built a
denomination! Nor does the Bible teach
Jesus died for any church established by man! He died for only one church, the
one He bought with His own blood.
The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). There is one body (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore,
there is but one church! Jesus is the Saviour of His body (Ephesians 5:25). If we
want to be saved, we must be in His body. We cannot be saved in a man-made
church!
The Church Began in Jerusalem in AD 33
Jesus promised to build His church
(Matthew 16:18). The prophets foretold the church would be
built in the last days in Jerusalem
(Isaiah 2:2, 3; Joel 2:28-32). Jesus told His apostles to wait in Jerusalem
for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8). The Spirit came upon them on the day of
Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). Peter said
this was the fulfillment of Joels prophecy (Acts 2:16-21). He preached the Gospel to the people. When they heard, believed, repented and were
baptized, they were added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2:22-47). All today who obey the same Gospel in the
same way are added by the same Lord to the same church!
Jesus is the Head
And He is the head
of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things He may have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18). We do not
read in the Bible of any human head of the church. There is no preacher, pastor, priest, pope,
president, patriarch, board, or committee over the one true church. Christ is its only head! The headquarters of the one true church is in
Heaven where Jesus Christ, the head, is (Acts
2:33-36).
Congregations are Independent
While there is one body, the
Christians in each area meet together to worship. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome:
The churches of Christ greet you
(Romans 16:16). He was not speaking of different
denominations, but of the assemblies of Christians in each area. These together make up the body of Christ.
Paul addressed the saints in Corinth
as the church of God which is at
Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2). He asked the elders of the church at Ephesus
to meet with him in Miletus
(Acts 20:17). He spoke of the churches of Galatia meaning the assemblies of Christians
in each city of Galatia
(Galatians 1:2).
Except for Christ who rules from
Heaven, there is no central organization of the one, true church. Each congregation is self-governing and
independent of all the others. Each has
its own elders who are also called bishops (overseers) and pastors (shepherds). The church at Antioch
sent a contribution to the elders of the church in Jerusalem
(Acts 11:29, 30). Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church (Acts 14:23). Paul called the elders of the church at Ephesus
(Acts 20:17). He wrote to the saints in Philippi
with the bishops and deacons (Philippians 1:1). Elders are only over the local congregation
of which they are members (1 Peter 5:1,
2).
There is a Pattern of Worship
The church in the Bible met on the
first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1
Corinthians 16:1, 2). They
worshipped in spirit and in truth
(John 4:24). They ate the Lords supper
(Matthew 26:26- 29; Acts 20:7; 1
Corinthians 11:23-26). They sang praises to God without the aid of
man-made musical instruments (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 13:15). They offered up prayers to God through Jesus
Christ (1 Timothy 2:1-8). They heard the preaching of Gods Word (Acts 2:42; 20:7 ; Matthew 28:20). They gave as God had prospered them (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).
Names of the Church and its Members
Denominations often wear the names
of their founders. Sometimes they wear
the name of a doctrine. Others wear the
name of the place where they began. The
church in the Bible honors God by its name.
It is called the church of God
(1 Corinthians 1:2) and the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16). Members are called disciples because they are learners of Jesus (Acts 6:1). They are called saints because they are set apart from the world (1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1). They are called children of God because they have been born again into His
family (John 3:3-5; 1 John 3:1). Sometimes they are called believers because they trust in Jesus
Christ to save them (Acts 5:14; John 8:24). They are members
because of their relationship with one another in the body (1 Corinthians 12:27). Members of the church of the Bible are also
called Christians. Isaiah the
prophet foretold God would give this new name to His people (Isaiah 62:2; Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
Entering the One True Church
One enters the one true church by
obeying the Gospel (Romans 6:16-18; 1 Peter 1:22, 23). This obedience includes hearing the Word of
God (Romans 10:17),
believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (Mark 16:16), repenting of ones sins (Acts 2:38), confessing Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:37), and being buried in
baptism for the remission of sins (Romans
6:3, 4; Galatians 3:26, 27). When one obeys these commands, the Lord adds
him to His church (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Denominations have no right to exist. They will be destroyed by the Lord at His
coming (Matthew 15:13). Only the church established by Jesus Christ
will be saved (Ephesians 5:23-27). Do not risk your salvation in a man-made
church. Obey the Gospel and the Lord
will add you to His church!
Gods Plan of Salvation for Man
1. We must hear the truth.
Romans 10:14; Romans 10:17.
2. We must believe Jesus
Christ is the Son of God. Mark 16:16;
John 8:24.
3. We must repent of our
sins. Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38.
4. We must confess Christ
before men. Matthew 10:32,33;
Romans 10:10.
5. We must be baptized
into Christ. Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21;
Acts 22:16.
6. We must continue to
live for Christ Revelation 2:10;
2
Peter 1:10; 2
Peter 3:18.
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