I’m sure every Christian has at one point or another been asked the question, “What church do you belong to?” Usually our answer is, “The church of Christ.” Quite often we hear them respond with, “I’ve never heard of the church of Christ.” Then they ask, “What church out there is the closest to resembling the church of Christ?” You see, they want to identify us with some “faith group” out there – that they are familiar with. Shouldn’t they be identifying faith groups (those claiming to be the church) with the church that is found in the New Testament?
Have you ever answered their question by saying, “The church that I belong to is the one that is found in the New Testament?” I remember one person’s response when I said this to them. They said, “Well, we all claim to be a part of that church.” I thought of that for quite some time and even to this day it baffles me how some can claim we are unified in our overall view of God and Christ’s church yet believe and practice different things.
If Jesus was asked, “What church in Christendom is His church?” what would His response be? He certainly would have a lot to choose from? On what basis would He decide which church was His church? What about Paul’s response to the same question?
To be honest, it really doesn’t matter what you or I think when it comes to identifying the church. The church can only be identified by its owner, by the One who established it and by the sacred teachings of the Spirit that directed it into all truth.
Yet some will argue that there are good and bad people in various denominations just as there are in the church of Christ. So how can the church of Christ be accepted as God’s church and they can’t be? Because becoming a member of the Lord’s church is not determined by one’s goodness but by God’s. His goodness and grace is revealed to the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-5) which calls upon every sinner to obey it in faith while trusting that God will forgive them of all of their sins (II Thessalonians 2:14; Colossians 2:12-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Acts 2:22-42; 16:22-35; Romans 6:1-11).
When it comes to identifying the church that Jesus established, we can know for sure that Satan will have his foot in the door just as he did in the Garden of Eden. I believe everyone would agree that Satan does not want anyone to know what the Lord’s church is and how to be a part of it.
Satan’s name means an adversary or one who opposes. He is known by many other names in the Bible that depict his very character and nature. He is referred to as the devil (slanderer) who always looks for opportunities to influence us over to his side; to his way of thinking (Ephesians 4:26-27). John tells us that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (I John 5:19) and Christ mentions that he is a liar and father of lies (John 8:44). Jesus also informs us that Satan is the ruler of this world (John 14:30) and Paul adds that he is the god of this age (world) who had blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (II Corinthians 4:4).
All these names describe who Satan is one and explain his influence when it comes to answering the question: “Which Church Is the Lord’s Church?” Satan is a deceiver and will convince people that they are a member of the Lord’s church when, in fact, God’s word says differently. He even used some whom Paul said were, “false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds” (II Corinthians 11:13-15). The activity of Satan is with all the deception of wickedness (II Thessalonians 2:7-10) and he is just waiting to take advantage of people in the church. So it is best not to be ignorant of his schemes (II Corinthians 2:5-11). The church is also warned not to give Satan any opportunity to use our anger against another for his own purposes (Ephesians 4:25-27). Unless we put on the full armour of God we will not be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).
So why mention all these scriptures that reveal how Satan works? Without God’s word we are helpless to protect ourselves against him. He is so powerful in his deceptions that many Christians don’t realize that he is actually using them and not just those in the world. Such brethren find themselves justifying a particular thought or action on the basis of how they feel or on what they believe or think without any authoritative reference to scripture. They believe that their opinion is authority enough to justify their thoughts or actions for the direction of the church. If the opinion of everyone in the church is justification for the doctrine of the church then that church ceases to be the Lord’s church. It has become the “people’s church.”
The church needs to understand who they are (church identity), who they belong to, that Jesus is the head of the church, what He has in mind for it and that the church is His church and not theirs. If someone asks you to tell them about your church, then gently remind them that the church you belong to is not your church but the Lord’s church. This answer may lead to further discussion about the church found in the New Testament.
Are Christians today prepared to clearly identify the Lord’s church from scripture? Is the “church” that you are a part of the same one found in scripture? Does its teachings coincide with the teachings Christ has for His church as indicated in the New Testament or is it just one of the many “churches” found in Christendom? Did the original church have any doctrines and traditions that had to be adhered to by its members and if so, what are they (II Thessalonians 2:13-15; I Corinthians 11:1-2)? Do you regard professing Christians to be Christians simply because they are more committed to their convictions than you are to yours? What if they have not been baptized into Christ as the gospel of Christ calls them to obey (II Thessalonians 1:3-12)? All these questions have their answers only in Christ’s word and never in man’s opinions.
As those professing to be members of the Lord’s church do you honestly know if the “church” you are a member of is, indeed, the Lord’s church? Christ has not left us helpless, without any way of being able to identify His church or of knowing how to become a part of it. When it comes to understanding any subject in the Bible answers are found by those who search for them with all their heart and fervently pray for their discovery. Search for God’s answers like you would search for hidden treasure and you’ll be amazed at what God will allow you to discover (Proverbs 2:1-7; James 1:5-7).
Are you a member of the Lord’s church or the “people’s” church? In searching for that answer be like the Berean brethren and examine the Scriptures daily to see if the things said by Paul and Silas were true concerning the Lord’s church (Acts 17:10-11).
Remember that God is a rewarder of those who search for Him (Hebrews 11:6).
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions (identifiable traditions) which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us” (II Thessalonians 2:13-15).
Owen Sound, ON