Whose Church?
Denver Thomas
Whose church is it? When we observe the broad spectrum of what is considered Christianity in today’s religious world, we note churches being built (founded) by a wide variety of individuals from several geographical locations over a period of more than nineteen hundred years. Which one is right? To which should we pledge our allegiance? Which one can assure salvation to its followers in the world to come? Which one conforms to the architecture defined by the creator himself? Ultimately, which one will be taken to Heaven to abide with the Father of Spirits forever? Hebrews 12:9
When we take the Bible as the authority for the church of choice, then we are bound to the one Jesus built on the Day of Pentecost in the year 33AD. The others simply are not named within the pages of the Holy Scriptures; and, therefore, they must of necessity be man-made institutions and, as such, not in compliance with the Word of God.
In Matthew 16:18-19, we hear Jesus saying, “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Peter said in Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Paul wrote in Philippians 2:9-13, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Paul, in addressing the elders of the church, said in Acts 20:26-30, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”
Christ shed his blood to purchase His church! What other church can make that claim? From Ephesians 4:3-6 we learn, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” From Colossians 1:18 we learn, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” The Bible speaks of but one church and not churches, as so many advocate.
Do you belong to that one church that Jesus built (Matthew 16:18-19), the one described in the pages of God’s Word, and the one He will be returning for when time is no more? 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Do you belong to one of those organizations that came along some six hundred or more years later? Do not be misled by those who have chosen to draw people away from the one true church. False teachers have been active from the beginning. See 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Peter 2:1, et. al. The choice is yours to make while life remains within you. By all means, choose wisely! -PO Box 821, Milton, WV 25541.