By TONY HOSS
Last week we began to examine the difficulties that arise due to the multipolicy of religious organizations throughout the world, specifically within the Christian religions.
If we are going to be honest with ourselves and with the scriptures, we must surely admit that the only correct religion is the religion that is approved by God. The only true religion is the one that has the approval of God. It is the religion that God himself has authored and thus authorized within His book, the Bible. While there are many who would disagree, an honest study of the scriptures proves there is a pattern set forth by the inspired writers as to the way each of us should live our lives. As well, God sets forth patterns that determine what God would have us to do in relationship to our worship to Him. It has always been so with the God of Heaven. We know God had a pattern for early man and that Cain failed to obey that pattern. When it came to Noah and the building of the Ark God set forth a pattern for Noah to follow. The Israelites throughout their history certainly had a pattern to follow which was contained in the Law of Moses.
Things are no different today. God has given us a pattern within the New Testament. But if God has given a pattern then why so many churches and how does one determine the correct religion of the Bible? There are many in the world that consider any Christian religion to be a part of the Church of the New Testament. Can this be so considering the diversity in teaching? No. The church recognized by God is the one that His dear Son died for. In the Bible it is often referred to as the Church or churches/congregations of Christ. Let’s consider that first century church.
The first century church began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Within that great chapter, Peter gave the pattern or guidelines that God set forth that man follow to become members of the first century church. In the last verse we read, “… And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Whatever it took in Acts 2 on the part of mankind to allow God to add them to the church is the same it takes today. We today must heed this pattern set forth not by mankind but rather set forth by God.
Another evident part of God’s pattern, but often hidden by the doctrines of man, is the fact that the church started that day. However, many mainstream religions began at a later date. We should understand that any church that started later than that day started too late. To be honest with ourselves we should see that those which came too late, regardless of the good that may have been intended, were the beginning of division. So, what can one do? One can find a congregation of God’s people who faithfully observe the laws/patterns that God set forth. If one is not available, a congregation (not the church itself) may be established by honest individuals who are willing to obey that form of doctrine once delivered to man (Jude 3). This is what Paul and others were doing on their missionary journeys. But we should always remember what Paul said, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Gal 1:8 KJV). It is vital that we preach, teach and observe the doctrine of the first century church. Finally, the first century church has always existed somewhere since its conception. If not, Jesus was unaware. Jesus said, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” If at any time it became extinct on earth, Satan and hell did prevail.
The fact is that the first century church has always existed and still does today. Next week we will continue to examine the topic of the first century church.
(Tony Hoss is minister at Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton. For information or study, contact Tony at 423-737-2287 or by e-mail at: tmagho1@comcast.net)