With the thousands of churches in the world, how do I find the right one?
Last week we observed that God hates division and that a truth cannot be both right and wrong at the same time. Also, we noted that those who practice a religion approved by God are as well approved by God. However, this demands that we put away our own humanistic desires. So when it comes to religion and what God wants from His creation, we must consider some terms and their definition.
When it comes to Churches, Jesus said: “I will build my Church…” (Matthew 16:18). Therefore the church Christ built is referred to as the Church Of Christ. This is not surprising when we consider the fact that Jesus purchased it with His own blood. The problem that most people have is that most believe that all Christian religions are a part of that Church. However, this disregards God’s desire for no denominations and denies that a truth can be both right and wrong at the same time. This is true, for, in each denomination, there are practices that other denominations deny to be the truth. We also need to define what we mean by the Church of Christ. So we ask the question, how can different denominations preach different doctrines and still be a part of the church Christ built? The answer is simple; they can’t.
According to the Bible, the Church Of Christ we read about in the Bible began in the 1st century (Acts 2). It began with a powerful beginning. Most mainline religious groups started much later; this is a fact proven by the historical beginning dates which are a matter of public knowledge. These started out by teaching things not originally found in the Bible. This was the beginning of division.
If we are to believe the scriptures, we then must accept that the Church established by Christ will continue until the Lord comes again to raise the dead and judge all mankind. That it will continue demands that it will continue as Christ established it without variation (denominationalism). In John 12:48, Jesus said, “ He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48 KJV).
We also learn in the scriptures that after the judgment the saved (i.e., the Lord’s church) will be delivered to the Father by Christ. Paul said, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (25) For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. (26) The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (27) For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. (28) And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:24-28 KJV).
Since these things are true, we must seek the acceptable process for gaining and maintaining a right relationship with God. This is true because God requires obedience from man in order to receive the benefits of God’s grace. Paul explained it this way, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:11-13 KJV. Therefore, the question we must ask is the same asked by those present on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
Next week we will continue our line of thought and consider what all men must do to receive the grace of God.
(Tony Hoss is minister at Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton. He can be contacted at 423–737-2287 or by e-mail at: tmagho1@comcast.net)