In these dark days of our present era, Christ's TRUE CHURCH will turn her back upon the seductive voices, clasp the Word (her love-letter from Him) close to her heart, and holding high the gospel torch, ever keep her eyes looking heavenward, in hope of His soon coming.
She cares not for man's favor nor praise. She recognizes only one Lord and Master, even Jesus Christ, and she is keeping herself pure for Him. --J.R.B.
How often we hear, "which church shall I join?" or "I don't think it makes any difference which church I belong to, there are good people in all churches." True, there are good people in all churches; many of them by the world's standard of morality, true and honest people being "good"; fewer, but still, I am sure, some by God's standard, the imputed righteousness of Christ. Yet is just any church alright with God?
Often, the question of "which church", is raised by unsaved people, who feel their need of something in their lives, and are either ignorant of God's plan of salvation, or are hunting an easy way.
Right here, let me say, You are not ready to consider the church question at all, until you have had an experience of the grace of God, in your heart.
No church, no act of man, such as baptism, nor ritual, nor a good life, can ever save a soul. If that were possible, it would have not been necessary for Christ to leave glory to live in this world, and die on the cross. (Galatians 3:21)"By grace are ye saved." (Ephesians 2:8)
Acts 4:12 tells us, there is salvation in none other. So, if you feel a burden of sin, first seek peace, by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, until that burden is lifted, and the knowledge of forgiveness and salvation, is yours. Now you are ready to consider the church of your choice.
Some say, "If the church does not save, why join the church at all? I can be just as good a christian, outside the church."
I doubt if you can. A coal of fire soon dies if left alone, but with others, will continue to glow. Even if you could, you owe it to the Lord, who saved you, to join His church, because He gave Himself for it. It is his institution in this world, for spreading the gospel, that others might be saved.
You ask, "Which is His church?" That has been, and is, confusing many, since there are so many institutions in the world, calling themselves Christ's church.
One is born into the family of God, not into the church, when he is saved, as some teach, for that would mean the church is composed of a multitude of members, who could not know each other nor meet together, since God's children are all over the world.
In Matthew 18:17, Jesus says, if an offending brother will "not hear him, tell it to the church." How could he, if the church never met together?
Again, Paul speaks many times, of the church in a certain place, as in Romans 16:5 and 23: I Corinthians 1:2: Colossians 4:15 and others. He also mentions "churches" in the plural in many places as; the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:2) and the churches of Christ (Romans 16:16). This shows that the church is a local, visible body.
Then, there are some marks of the true church that we should look for. Christ established a church while here on earth, as shown in such scriptures as, Luke 6:13 and I Corinthians 12:28, which tell us that Jesus ordained the apostles, and they were first in the church; also in Matthew 18:15-20, which explains some of the work of the church; and in Matthew 28: 18-20, which gives the commission, which was given to an institution, not individuals as such; for then, when individuals die, the commission would die with them; yet it says, "to the end of the world (age)."
Surely, all would want to be in a church like that, which has come down through the ages, as a direct descendant of the first church, practicing the same things. That would leave out all those who have changed certain doctrines or practices, for convenience or personal desire. The Catholic church admits to doing this, and says she has the right, but nowhere in scripture, is such commanded or permitted.
Christ says, in Matthew 28:20, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."
Jude says, "Earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints."
John says, to neither add nor take away. (Revelation 22:18,19)
Another mark, is believer's baptism by immersion. Read Matthew 3:6-8 and Acts 8:37-39. These show that salvation comes before baptism, and certainly that baptism was by immersion. In fact, advocates of sprinkling, say that only immersion was practiced in Bible times.
Then, it makes a difference who does the baptizing. Jesus walked 40 to 60 miles, to be baptized by John the Baptist, who had the authority from God. (John 1:33) This authority has now, been given by Jesus Christ, to His church. (Matthew 28:18-20)
More and more, churches that we once considered true New Testament, are forgetting that, and are saying by their actions, that anyone can baptize.
There were many priests in Jesus's day, perhaps many were as good of men, as John, but because they did not have the authority, Jesus passed them by.
God's people are often called narrow and selfish in this stand, but "Search the Scriptures" as Jesus told the Jews (John 5:39) and see if these things are true.
Another very precious doctrine, is the eternal security of God's children. Those whom God saves, He saves for all eternity; Philippians 1:6; John 5:24 and many more, are proofs.
Some think that gives them a license to live in sin, but really, the opposite is true. Love is a much stronger force than fear, so we serve Him because we love Him, and we love Him because He first loved us, rather than from fear of a lost eternity.
If you are asking the question, "Which church?", search carefully, until you find a New Testament Church that preaches and practices these things. By doing so, you can be sure that you are pleasing the Lord of your salvation.
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