Which church – that is, which denomination of Christianity – is the “true church”? Which church is the one that God loves and cherishes and died for? Which church is His bride? The answer is that no visible church or denomination is the true church, because the bride of Christ is not an institution, but is instead a spiritual entity made up of those who have by grace, through faith been brought into a close, intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Those people, no matter which building, denomination, or country they happen to be in, constitute the true church.
In the Bible, we see that the local (or visible) church is nothing more than a gathering of professing believers. In Paul’s letters, the word “church” is used in two different ways. There are many examples of the word “church” being used to simply refer to a group of professing believers who meet together on a regular basis (1Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 8:1, 11:28). We see Paul’s concern, in his letters, for the individual churches in various cities along his missionary journey. But he also refers to a church that is invisible—a spiritual entity that has close fellowship with Christ, as close as a bride to her husband (Ephesians 5:25, 32), and of which He is the spiritual head (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 3:21). This church is made up of an unnamed, unspecified group of individuals (Philippians 3:6; 1Timothy 3:5) that have Christ in common.
The word “church”, comes from the Greek word ekklesia meaning “a calling out.” The word describes a group of people who have been called out of the world and set apart for the Lord, and it is always used, in its singular form, to describe a universal group of people who know Christ. The word ekklesia, when pluralized, is used to describe groups of believers who meet together. Interestingly enough, the word “church” is never used in the Bible to describe a building or organization.
It is easy to get ensnared by the idea that a particular denomination within Christianity is “the true church,” but this view is a misunderstanding of Scripture. When choosing a church to attend, it is important to remember that a gathering of believers should be a place where those who belong to the true church (the spiritual entity) feel at home. That is to say, a good local church will uphold the Word of God, honoring it and preaching faithfully, the gospel will be proclaimed steadfastly, and the sheep will be fed and tended and cared for by godly leaders. A church that teaches heresy or engages in sin will eventually be very low on (or entirely bereft of) those people that belong to the true church—the sheep who hear the voice of the Shepherd and follow Him (John 10:27).
Members of the true church always enjoy agreement in and fellowship around Jesus Christ, as He is plainly revealed in His Word. This is what is referred to as Christian unity. Another common mistake is to believe that Christian unity is just a matter of agreeing with one another. Rather than speaking the truth in love and spurring one another on to unity in Christ, this encourages believers to refrain from speaking difficult truths. It sacrifices true understanding of God in favor of a false unity based on disingenuous love that is nothing more than selfish tolerance of sin in oneself and others.
The true church is the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2, 9, 22:17) and the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 12:27). It cannot be contained, walled in, or defined by anything other than its love for Christ and its dedication to Him. The true church is, as C.S. Lewis put it, “spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners.”
You know it is interesting, I’ve been thinking about all the different denominations lately. I think it is a sign of failure. We are supposed to be of one mind with one spirit. God doesn’t care about denominations. I belong to an Assemblies of God church simply because of the strong emphasis of biblical adherence and spirit-filled life.
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Hello, Sierra;
Once again I find myself being apologetic for my untimeliness in responding to you. I trust you will find it within your heart to forgive me.
I can see where one might believe, or at least feel, it is a sign of failure…. but whose failure are we speaking? The clergy? The members of congregations? Certainly not God.
I think, rather than a failure per say, it is more an issue of man’s pride and self indulgence of which has lead many astray. Minor conflicts and discussions gone horribly wrong and tempers fly to the point where one side will dismember itself from the body. If that makes sense to you.
Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not a biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.
The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body. This comes from a post I put out many months ago entitled “What is the Church?”. To read it in it’s entirety go to: http://wp.me/p26QNa-2lQ
There is but one church; that Church was founded by Christ Jesus over 2 millennium ago. What is ironic, concerning the real church, is that there are no buildings or walls….. it was simple fellowship between man and His God….. the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. At the time of Jesus the earliest Christians met in peoples homes, on hill sides and in valleys and they made up the “Church”. There were no “denominations.” Just One Body in Christ having fellowship.
Even within my small community of perhaps 6,000 to 8,000 people there are a multitude of differing churches (denominations). I do wonder why these varying denominations exist; although I have never asked anyone specifically, . However, I do study the various denominations and what they believe. I fear there are two varying degrees of church. (1): sects, and; (2): cults. Both of whom are depicting themselves as being fully Christian.
Sects include such as Baptists, Methodists (although there are branches of Methodist and Presbyterians who are admitting homosexuals into the clergy and eldership of the church) and Assemblies of God (as examples).
Cults, on the other hand, are those like Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses….. Wiccans and the like. Who deny the power of Christ or His being God and/or part of the Triune. These are the Lost Sheep.
I, myself, was raised within the Church of God and attended for years [there] with my family. That Church closed some 30 years ago; much to my chagrin, and never reopened. Many of my fondest moments were there within that Church of God; surrounded by all of my family on my mothers side. In essence, I consider myself non-denominational, preferring now to study and worship God and to bring the True Word of God to others here online. And no, I am not a clergy or minister; nor have I ever been to seminary school….. merely a man who wants to serve and worship God and to share His message as it was intended by the Founder, Jesus Christ.
I thank you, Sierra, for your comment and for taking the time to listen.. Both are greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours always. May His face shine upon you all the days of your life.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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Michael, I mean that the countless schisms within Christianity are signs of men’s failures, for sure. Paul admonished the early church in 1 Cor. 3 that following men, and divisions, were signs of immaturity. I’ve encountered many who identify strictly with their denomination and view all others with disdain or suspicion. (honestly I’ve been there too) It is all flesh. God isn’t in it at all. I completely agree that WE are the church. The church is the people ho have allowed Christ to take up residency in their heart. Obviously some divisions were needed. Like Luther’s reformation. Or churches splitting off when their denomination starts accepting practicing gays in the clergy. But we tend to split over issues of pride and secondary issues, and it grieves the heart of Christ. I believe in the last days God is pouring out his spirit on all flesh and raising up his end-times church. My prayer is today that denominational lines would fall away as we all follow after Christ.
Sierra
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I could not have said it any better, Sierra. I commend you on your stance and forthright condemnation of a divided church.
I believe, if there can be one major cause of division, it is in heresy… Not heresy alone, but apostasy as well, certainly there is cause to believe such when an in-depth search is made.
1 Cor 11:18-19
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Please note, the divisions Paul referred to in chapter 1 were not over trivial non-important things. They MUST have been due to HERESIES that came into their church! The divisions were caused by HERETICS. In case you think I am exaggerating, please consider these related Bible passages also:
2 Pet 2:1-3
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be FALSE teachers among you, who will SECRETLY introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;
3 and in {their} greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (these false teachers are NOT Christians, but are wolves in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be Christians, exploiting us with false words)
And also consider this passage:
Jude 1:3-4,16-19
3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our COMMON salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their {own} lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of {gaining an} advantage.
17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”
19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
Heresy, within the Church, has many other sub-causes often affiliated with it. Some of these are Human Secularism, Legalism and Political Correctness[to name but a few]. This division of, or denominationalism of, Christianity has many causes, actually…. inclusive thereto are some of which you identify.
Since reading your comments, earlier this morning, I have given a lot of thought to what you have said and the urgency of which you have brought it. And I confirm your urgency and the need of those concerned to be brought to light as something that really needs to be paid attention to. And, I thank you for that, Sierra.
As a side consequence of such division is the fact that so many are leaving the church……or to say it’s many denominations. Many, if not most, of the Church no longer pursue those in need of Christ and His Word. My post tomorrow addresses that issue. I hope you will read it and find it’s correlation between our discussion here and what I consider to be a “side consequence of division or denominationalism of the Church”.
Sierra, once again I thank you for your comment and insight into one of the most troublesome problems facing the Church. This, like yourself, is greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours always.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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