How to Find
the Right Church

This question is often asked, "How do I find the right church?". It is usually answered by giving the name or description of some denomination. However, we want to answer this question from the Bible, not man's opinions.

In the writings of the Apostle Paul, the expression "body of Christ" and the word "church" refer to the same organization. *1 Neither of them refer to a "mystical invisible" body, but rather, to a practical, living and very visible body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who is the head of the Church? Sometimes some one on earth will be referred to as the "founder and president" of such and such a church. A church described this way is not the "right church", because it has the wrong head. The church the Bible speaks of has as it's head the Lord Jesus Christ, not some man. *2 As the head of the church he is to be listened to and obeyed. He is the one who has given instruction in his word for the function of his body. This instruction is in the Bible which is able to equip us for every good work. *3 If we fail to study his word diligently or fail to obey his instructions, we will some day stand before him ashamed. *4

The membership committee in the right church is a committee of one. That one is the all important Savior and head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told, the Lord added to the church such as were being saved and that by one spirit we are all baptized into one body or church. *5 There is no man or group of men who can either put you into the right church or put you out of the right church.

There are no unbelievers in the right church. Since the head of the church is the membership committee there are no counterfeits in this church. Consistent with this fact, believers are instructed not to be, unequally yoked together with unbelievers. *6 It is obvious that believers and unbelievers wouldn't have the same goals, the same rules of conduct or the same love for other members of the body. In man-made churches there is much friction because of these differences.

All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are members of the church the Bible speaks of. All are members because this is an organism into which the Savior of mankind places those who accept him as their Lord and Savior. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we become members of his body. *7 We are not made members by participating in any physical act such as baptism in water or physically eating bread or drinking wine. The Bible says we become a member of the church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. *8 Everyone who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior has received this baptism. *9 Since man doesn't put members into this church, and all who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are put into the church the moment they are saved, there are no counterfeits and all believers are members.

There should be unity among all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Since all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are part of the same church, have the same Savior, and read the same Bible, we should be together in the way we walk. Christ prayed to the Father that believers would be one as He and the Father are one. *10 The apostle Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for the divisions among them. They were saying, I am of Paul, I am of Apollos and I am of Cephas. Paul rebuked them by saying, you are carnal and walk as men. *11 Today a parallel to this is practiced by most members of the church, "I am a Methodist", "I am a Baptist", "I am a Lutheran", etc., and sad to say most Christians think this is the way it is supposed to be. Many well-known Bible teachers and preachers know these divisions are sin. See The Sin Of Sectarianism by Jack Langford, for quotes from various well-known religious leaders on this subject, (We will be happy to supply you a copy free of charge). Religious leade rs know this truth but they won't walk in it.

All members should be endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. *12 It should be our commitment to speak the same things and be joined together in the same mind and judgment. *13 In doing this, rather than divide and take a name to identify us apart from our fellow members of the church which is Christ's body, we will endeavor to resolve differences, that we might speak the same thing. We should not join or support or help build something in the way of a church which is not authorized in the Bible. If we are a part of such an organization we will obey the instruction, "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." *14 This will enable us to, "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God".

Man-made religion does two things the Bible condemns:

• Joins saved and unsaved people together.

• Divides brothers and sisters in Christ from each other.

1. Jesus Christ is the head of the church.

2. Jesus Christ is the membership committee.

3. The church operates under the name of the head of the church, Jesus Christ. *15

4. All of the members have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

5. Every person who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior is considered to be a member of the church.

6. The church, being the pillar and ground of the truth earnestly contends for the faith once delivered to the saints and endeavors to "rightly divide" the word. *16

7. There is a commitment to endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace, with all Christians everywhere.

8. The Bible is considered the final and complete revelation from God for the function of his people. *17

When you find a group of Christians who really and honestly live and work together as stated above, you have found a representation of the "right church."

*1 Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18 *2 Ephesians 1:22, 5:22, Colossians 1:18 *3 2 Timothy 3:16-17 *4 2 Timothy 2:15 *5 Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 12:13 *6 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 *7 Ephesians 5:30, 1 Corinthians 12:27 *8 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 *9 Romans 8:9, Acts 5:32 *10 John 17:21 & 23 *11 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 1 Corinthians 3:1-7 *12 Ephesians 4:3 *13 1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 1:27 *14 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 *15 Colossians 3:16-17 *16 1 Timothy 3:15, Jude 1:3, 2 Timothy 2:15 *17 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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