elcome to study nine of the Bible Correspondence Course. We appreciate you taking the time to study God's word. It is our sincere hope you enjoy the course and that it increases your knowledge of the word of God. We recommend that you use either the King James Version or the New King James Version as you study this course. It is designed for use with either of these translations.
In this study we are going to examine the Lord's church and how to identify it. There are many different denominations today claiming to be correct. However, in this study, we will learn that Christ built only one church. We will look at several different characteristics of the church described in the New Testament and compare that with what churches are doing today.
We will consider what different denominations are teaching about the plan of salvation. The study will also establish the Bible as the only acceptable guide for the Lord's church. Additionally, it will consider the proper organization and name for Christ's church. With this information, you should be able to look at the religious confusion that abounds today and sort out what is right and what is wrong. Now have your Bible handy. Look up every reference. Carefully study what the scriptures say as you contemplate finding the right church.
In this study we are going to examine the Lord's church and how to identify it. There are many different denominations today claiming to be correct. However, in this study, we will learn that Christ built only one church. We will look at several different characteristics of the church described in the New Testament and compare that with what churches are doing today.
We will consider what different denominations are teaching about the plan of salvation. The study will also establish the Bible as the only acceptable guide for the Lord's church. Additionally, it will consider the proper organization and name for Christ's church. With this information, you should be able to look at the religious confusion that abounds today and sort out what is right and what is wrong. Now have your Bible handy. Look up every reference. Carefully study what the scriptures say as you contemplate finding the right church.
Christ Built Only One Church
How many churches did Christ build? Today, most people will tell you that one church is just as good as another. They will further maintain that all denominations are good, that they all are Christ's church. But is this true? Did Christ really set up hundreds of different churches with different beliefs? Let the Bible answer this question.
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus spoke to Peter and the apostles about his church. He said, "I will build my church." Jesus promised to build only one church. He did not promise to build a multitude of denominations that would teach different doctrines. He promised to build his church. Therefore, all these different denominations of today cannot be his church. Only one church can be Christ's church.
Consider Ephesians 4:1-6. In this passage Paul speaks of several things that are one. He speaks of one God, one Lord, one baptism, etc. Among these things is the body. Paul said there is one body. Colossians 1:18, 24 plainly testifies that the body is the church. Since the body is the church and there is only one body, then there is only one church.
Since there is only one church, what about all the different denominations today? Frankly, this situation is not pleasing to God at all. In I Corinthians 1:10-12 the Bible says God desires for his people to be in unity, of the same mind and same judgment. The religious division that exists today is in direct violation of God's word.
Will God wink at these violations? Will he accept denominations that are not like the church Christ built? Let Jesus answer the question. In Matthew 15:13-14 Jesus says plants not planted by God will be uprooted. Of course he is not talking about agriculture. Jesus is speaking of religious division. Regarding these factions he said all the ones not planted by God will be rooted up. Since Christ built only one church, according to him, all others will be rooted up. He went on to say that we should leave the others alone because they are “the blind leading the blind!” Clearly, Jesus will not tolerate "imitation" churches. The only one that will be left standing in judgment is the one built by Christ.
Are The Others Lost?
Does it really matter what church you are a member of? With what the Bible says about Christ having only one church, it brings these questions, “Are people in other churches going to be lost? Aren't there saved people in all churches?”
It might seem easiest just to say everybody is all right. However, we saying it and feeling good about it are not going to make it right. Matthew 7:13-14 records where Jesus said most people will be lost, and few will be saved. This is the truth so we might as well come to grips with it and learn what we must do to be among the saved.
Do you have to be a member of the Lord's church to be saved? If you are a member of some denomination, will this be enough? Again, let the Bible answer these difficult questions. In Ephesians 2:16 Paul talks about reconciliation to God. We know from earlier studies that reconciliation means to be reunited with God after separation by sin. Please note that Paul said God reconciles us to him in the body. Remember, the body is the church. So according to the Bible, reconciliation to God (salvation) exists in the church. Therefore, if you are not in his church, you have not been reconciled to God. Since the same process that saves you adds you to the body of Christ, this stands to reason. [See Acts 2:47.] Only the saved are in the body of Christ, and only those in the body of Christ are saved.
In contrast, those who have joined some denomination did so by a different process. Previous studies (7 & 8) outline what the Bible says to do to be saved. However, most denominations do not practice this plan. Instead, you join them by going through certain procedures such as sprinkling, infant baptism followed later by confirmation, baptism to join a church, etc. None of these will procure your salvation or add you to the Lord's church. So those who have followed these denominational plans have not done what God requires to be saved or added to his church.
Where does this leave those who are members of some denomination that is not the Lord's church? In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus gave the parable of the tares and the wheat. The explanation is given in Matthew 13:36-43. The parable deals with good seed and bad seed. Note that the good seed represents people who are in God's kingdom. They have obeyed the word, been born again, saved and added to the Lord's church. [See Luke 8:11, I Peter 1:22-23, John 3:3-5 and Acts 2:47.] The tares represent people who do not follow God's plan. Jesus Christ said the tares will be cast into the fire at the end of the world. So according to Jesus, anybody who does not follow God's plan will be lost. They may be a plant in the field. They may look similar to wheat. [Tares are a weed that looks similar to wheat.] But if they are not genuine children of God, they will be lost.
Considering this, it is obviously important to be obedient to God and be a part of the Lord's church. It is important to avoid denominations and plans that are not authorized by the Lord. It is important to leave these alone because when “the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch.”
If Any Teach Any Other Gospel Than That Which We Delivered
Can you with certainty identify which churches are right and which are wrong? Using the Bible as your guide, you can examine the practices and beliefs of an organization to discern if it is the Lord's church or just another denomination. Perhaps the most telling sign is the plan of salvation.
If a particular organization does not teach the biblical plan of salvation and lead people to obey that plan, then its members are not members of the Lord's church. It is therefore, not a congregation of the Lord's church.
Previous studies have established what the Bible says the sinner must do to be saved. We learned that the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. [See I Corinthians 15:1-4.] You must obey the gospel to be saved. [II Thessalonians 1:7-9.] You obey the gospel by being baptized, thereby picturing the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. [See Romans 6:3-4.] When Jesus gave the great commission in Mark 16:15-16 he listed baptism as part of the gospel he wanted preached.
Many denominations today will not preach this gospel. Instead of preaching, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved,” they preach, “He who believes and is saved should be baptized.” Or, “He who believes and prays the sinner's prayer will be saved.” These are not the gospel Jesus said to preach. Denominations that preach these plans are not preaching the gospel Jesus said to preach. In Galatians 1:6-9 Paul warned about people who preach a perverted gospel. He said if someone preaches contrary to what Christ revealed through his apostles, you must let them be accursed. Do not listen. In Matthew 7:15 Jesus warned us not to follow false prophets. This warning certainly applies to the question at hand.
The application to our question is as follows. Any denomination that preaches a plan for salvation different from that which is taught in scripture is not the Lord's church. As such, you should not be a member of that organization. The first test in selecting a church home is the question, “Do they teach the true gospel?”
Which is the right guide?
Another important characteristic of the Lord's church is the guide it follows. Many denominations today follow creeds, disciplines, special leaders and alleged revelations beyond what the Bible says. But the Lord's church has only the Bible as its guide.
In II Timothy 3:16-17 Paul told Timothy that the scriptures will provide us all we need to know. The Bible supplies every area of doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction you need. II Peter 1:3 says God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. In Acts 20:27 Paul told the Ephesian elders he had declared the full counsel of God. Since the Bible gives us all we need, why have other things to guide the church?
The fact is, the church doesn't need them. Jeremiah 10:23 indicates it is not within us to direct our own paths. Instead of churches being governed by man’s creeds and councils, we should be guided by what the Bible says. When you follow the teaching of a certain creed, it is sure to produce the kind of denomination advocated in that creed. When you follow the teaching of Christ, it is sure to yield a congregation of Christians doing things the way Christ said to do them.
Therefore, any denomination that follows the teaching of man instead of the will of God is bound to differ in some way from the church Christ built. A sure way to determine if a congregation is the Lord's church is to see if they are following the Lord's guide.
In II Timothy 3:16-17 Paul told Timothy that the scriptures will provide us all we need to know. The Bible supplies every area of doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction you need. II Peter 1:3 says God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. In Acts 20:27 Paul told the Ephesian elders he had declared the full counsel of God. Since the Bible gives us all we need, why have other things to guide the church?
The fact is, the church doesn't need them. Jeremiah 10:23 indicates it is not within us to direct our own paths. Instead of churches being governed by man’s creeds and councils, we should be guided by what the Bible says. When you follow the teaching of a certain creed, it is sure to produce the kind of denomination advocated in that creed. When you follow the teaching of Christ, it is sure to yield a congregation of Christians doing things the way Christ said to do them.
Therefore, any denomination that follows the teaching of man instead of the will of God is bound to differ in some way from the church Christ built. A sure way to determine if a congregation is the Lord's church is to see if they are following the Lord's guide.
How Christ organized His Church
How did Christ organize his church? Studying the organization of Christ's church in contrast with denominations today is another good way to see if a congregation is functioning the way the Lord wanted his church to function.
Denominations today are governed by a range of different plans. Some have one main leader such as a Pope or President. These and others also involve a system of voting delegates such as Arch Bishops, Cardinals, convention representatives, etc. On a local level denominations have Priests, Pastors, Reverends, Nuns and a host of other offices to govern and guide their church.
Christ did not set up his church in this fashion. On a universal level, he never intended one man or group of men to act as a governing body. Ephesians 1:22 and Colossians 1:18 say that Christ is the head of the church. No person or group of people have the right to assume that position in Christ’s stead. Furthermore, in Matthew 20:25-27 Jesus specifically explained that in his kingdom there would not be a situation involving a hierarchy of power with one bearing authority over others. Clearly many denominations are violating the arrangement Christ has set up for the organization of his church.
The same kind of problem exists on a local level. Christ organized the local church to have only two offices. These are listed in Philippians 1:1. The New Testament church had Bishops and Deacons. Bishops are elsewhere called Elders. [See Titus 1:5-7.] Their job is to feed or shepherd the flock. [See I Peter 5:1-3.] Since Pastor means shepherd the term "Pastor" in Ephesians 4:11 refers to those who shepherd the church, that is to Elders. The Bible always shows a plurality of Elders in each congregation. [See Acts 14:23.] Therefore the idea of having one Pastor over a church is not scriptural.
Also the Bible outlines specific qualifications these men must meet. These are listed in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Many denominations place men in the position of Pastor or Elder that do not meet these qualifications. Denominations that do this or add other offices to God's plan are not practicing as the Lord's church should practice.
The word "deacon" means a servant. Their duties are described in I Timothy 3:8-13 where their qualifications are given. They are told to “use the office of a deacon.” This phrase translates one word that simply means to serve. Therefore their job is to serve the church in whatever capacity is needed. Again, adding offices to the local church beyond these constitutes a corruption of the organization Christ has laid out for his church.
In many situations, the people who occupy these additional offices accept special titles. You often here of someone being called "Reverend" or "Father" or "His Eminence", etc. Not only is this practice never advocated in the New Testament, Jesus forbid such ranking. In Matthew 23:2-12 Jesus talked about people in his day who loved special titles and religious prestige. He condemned this activity and forbid us to use such religious titles as "Father". These organizational corruptions represent a departure from the Lord's plan for his church. Any denomination that participates is these things should be avoided.
Denominations today are governed by a range of different plans. Some have one main leader such as a Pope or President. These and others also involve a system of voting delegates such as Arch Bishops, Cardinals, convention representatives, etc. On a local level denominations have Priests, Pastors, Reverends, Nuns and a host of other offices to govern and guide their church.
Christ did not set up his church in this fashion. On a universal level, he never intended one man or group of men to act as a governing body. Ephesians 1:22 and Colossians 1:18 say that Christ is the head of the church. No person or group of people have the right to assume that position in Christ’s stead. Furthermore, in Matthew 20:25-27 Jesus specifically explained that in his kingdom there would not be a situation involving a hierarchy of power with one bearing authority over others. Clearly many denominations are violating the arrangement Christ has set up for the organization of his church.
The same kind of problem exists on a local level. Christ organized the local church to have only two offices. These are listed in Philippians 1:1. The New Testament church had Bishops and Deacons. Bishops are elsewhere called Elders. [See Titus 1:5-7.] Their job is to feed or shepherd the flock. [See I Peter 5:1-3.] Since Pastor means shepherd the term "Pastor" in Ephesians 4:11 refers to those who shepherd the church, that is to Elders. The Bible always shows a plurality of Elders in each congregation. [See Acts 14:23.] Therefore the idea of having one Pastor over a church is not scriptural.
Also the Bible outlines specific qualifications these men must meet. These are listed in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Many denominations place men in the position of Pastor or Elder that do not meet these qualifications. Denominations that do this or add other offices to God's plan are not practicing as the Lord's church should practice.
The word "deacon" means a servant. Their duties are described in I Timothy 3:8-13 where their qualifications are given. They are told to “use the office of a deacon.” This phrase translates one word that simply means to serve. Therefore their job is to serve the church in whatever capacity is needed. Again, adding offices to the local church beyond these constitutes a corruption of the organization Christ has laid out for his church.
In many situations, the people who occupy these additional offices accept special titles. You often here of someone being called "Reverend" or "Father" or "His Eminence", etc. Not only is this practice never advocated in the New Testament, Jesus forbid such ranking. In Matthew 23:2-12 Jesus talked about people in his day who loved special titles and religious prestige. He condemned this activity and forbid us to use such religious titles as "Father". These organizational corruptions represent a departure from the Lord's plan for his church. Any denomination that participates is these things should be avoided.
Does the name matter?
One of the more obvious ways to identify the Lord's church is the name. Of course the name alone does not make a congregation correct. What that congregation does is important too.
What did Christ name his church? Does he care what name God's people wear? In Ephesians 3:14-15 Paul said the family of God is named after Christ. Christ bought his church with his blood. [See Ephesians 5:25 and Acts 20:28.] Therefore it is appropriate that we are called by his name.
The New Testament mentions several names applied to the church. All these in one way or another point to the fact that we should wear Christ's name. In I Corinthians 12:27 we are called the body of Christ. Romans 16:16 refers to several congregations as churches of Christ. I Corinthians 1:2 and other passages refer to the church of God. Since Christ is God's son and himself divine, this name reflects his ownership of the church. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of the church of the firstborn. Christ is the firstborn from the dead. [See Colossians 1:15, 18.] So this name is a reflection of Christ's ownership.
Many denominations today wear every name but the name of Christ. Some refuse to be associated with the above scriptural names. It is not uncommon to hear of congregations who wear these scriptural names being ridiculed for doing so. Though man may trivialize the names Christ has applied to his church, it is his church just the same. And he has the right to name it whatever he wants. Any congregation that does not wear a scriptural name is suspect at the very least and likely not Christ's church at all.
What did Christ name his church? Does he care what name God's people wear? In Ephesians 3:14-15 Paul said the family of God is named after Christ. Christ bought his church with his blood. [See Ephesians 5:25 and Acts 20:28.] Therefore it is appropriate that we are called by his name.
The New Testament mentions several names applied to the church. All these in one way or another point to the fact that we should wear Christ's name. In I Corinthians 12:27 we are called the body of Christ. Romans 16:16 refers to several congregations as churches of Christ. I Corinthians 1:2 and other passages refer to the church of God. Since Christ is God's son and himself divine, this name reflects his ownership of the church. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of the church of the firstborn. Christ is the firstborn from the dead. [See Colossians 1:15, 18.] So this name is a reflection of Christ's ownership.
Many denominations today wear every name but the name of Christ. Some refuse to be associated with the above scriptural names. It is not uncommon to hear of congregations who wear these scriptural names being ridiculed for doing so. Though man may trivialize the names Christ has applied to his church, it is his church just the same. And he has the right to name it whatever he wants. Any congregation that does not wear a scriptural name is suspect at the very least and likely not Christ's church at all.
