An answer may be more difficult than you think. Check online. Our area boasts nearly fifty major religious denominations. Probably as many more subdivisions and unlisted groups exist as well.

Such an array represents almost endless combinations of doctrine and practice. For example, one church teaches that salvation is by the sacraments through a priesthood, while another teaches the priesthood of believers. One teaches salvation by faith only, and still another stresses miracles and speaking in tongues. The list could go on and on. Rather confusing, isn’t it.

“But what difference does it make?” you ask. “God accepts every sincere person, doesn’t He? Sure, there are hundreds of different religious groups, but we’re all headed for the same place. We are just traveling different routes.”

How many roads actually lead to heaven anyway? Jesus gave a rather shocking answer to that question. “Enter ye in at the straight [restricted] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14). Only two “ways” exist—one leads up; one leads down. The downward course caters to those who are broad-minded; whatever you believe, whatever you practice—join the crowd. The other way is restricted. Comparatively few people follow it. No one travels it merely by chance. No one just happens to be there. Only the searching soul finds the way to eternal life.

Let’s face the sad fact that multitudes (Christians, if you please) unknowingly travel the broad way. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21–23). These are plain words, aren’t they. The Lord is not moved by the number of bench warmers on the church roll. A costly edifice or a finetuned choir do not impress Him in the least. The pious creed, the solemn ritual, and the polished preacher fail to win His favor. Even an extensive mission program may not gain His approval.

What characteristic does identify the child of God on his way to heaven? Jesus’ answer is, “He that doeth the will of my Father.” A true believer knows the Father and does His will; Christ, in return, knows him and gives him eternal life.

The Bible compares the church’s relationship to Christ with the relationship of a physical body to its head. “And he is the head of the body, the church . . . that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18). Just as the body is controlled by the brain (head), so the church is governed by Christ. He is the authority, the intelligence, and the motivating force for the church, which in turn provides the members (hands and feet) by which He works.

This suggests not only a close relationship between Christ and each member, but also an intimate bond of fellowship between members themselves. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). No part of our physical body functions independently; all systems work together for the common good. Likewise, in the church of Christ, no member serves his own interests but contributes to the living, spiritual organism.

What sets this divine organism apart from the average church group? Carefully consider the following points.

A Biblical Church Believes the Bible.

Believing the Bible involves far more than simply consenting to its truth. It means exercising faith in it as the divinely inspired, final revelation of God’s will to man. Thus, it becomes more than just another book collecting dust on the shelf. It is for me—today! Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

The Epistles carry as much authority as the Gospels. Paul the apostle wrote, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37).

A Biblical church believes the total Bible message. Men’s theories come and go; the Bible remains unmoved. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

Furthermore, the Bible stands as a finished revelation—all conflicting ideas are deception. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:18). The Biblical church holds the Bible as the Word of God: authoritative and perfect, complete and enduring.

A Biblical Church Teaches the Bible.

Christ Himself has commissioned her to this task. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:18–20).

Because of this mandate, the true church is teaching, sharing, and promoting the truth to humanity. She sees the Bible, not as a springboard for the promotion of social reform, but as a power that cleanses from sin. She finds in its pages, not a call to hop on the latest political bandwagon, but a message of hope for the lost and dying. The true church holds forth, not isolated fragments of the truth, not simply what is popular, but the truth in its entirety, unmixed and uncorrupted. She interprets the Word consistently: every part must be understood in its relation to the whole. She properly distinguishes between Old Testament and New, recognizing that the New is superior to and replaces the Old. A Biblical church, always a minority, holds these tenets in spite of opposition, ridicule, and even death itself.

A Biblical Church Obeys the Bible.

Here lies the test of true faith; it always produces action. Faith can be measured by the degree of its obedience. Passengers on the Titanic refused orders to enter the lifeboats until they believed the ship was sinking.

According to Jesus, God’s blessing rests, not upon the knowledgeable, but upon the obedient. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17). “If a man love me, he will keep [obey] my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). Love motivated the giving of God’s laws; it also motivates the keeping of them. And so, the Biblical church views the Bible, not as a good luck charm, not as a theological club to use in arguments, but as a message to believe and willingly practice in everyday life.

A Biblical Church Meets Spiritual Needs.

Modern Christianity has generally lost this concept. Social interests take precedence. Church activity centers in a recreational wing which may even dwarf the sanctuary. Gospel preaching loses its taste when skits and movies are introduced. Prayer meeting ends up being abandoned; when spiritual interests are lost, it just cannot compete with ball games and camping trips. Sacrificial living and giving break down as bake sales and carnivals generate the funds to keep the machinery rolling.

Many churches offer little more of spiritual value than the local lodge or bridge club do. Congregational life, of course, does provide a valuable social dimension, but its primary ministry is spiritual. “And let us consider [be concerned about] one another to provoke [urge] unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting [encouraging] one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching” (Hebrews 10:24, 25). Every Christian must have spiritual food and spiritual fellowship in order to grow. He needs the reminders, the warnings, and the encouragement of more mature believers. These are provided, not in the context of fun and games, but within the framework of a church where true love is demonstrated. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Each member willingly sacrifices for the spiritual welfare of others.

A Biblical Church Sets a Standard.

One preacher said, “I preach the Word. What the people do with it is between them and God.” A farmer might as well say, “I fill the feed trough twice a day; if my cattle don’t thrive, it’s their problem.” How foolish! Jesus Himself called His followers sheep—a fitting metaphor. Sheep are useful creatures, but, left to themselves, become amazingly stupid and helpless. They need a shepherd; they need a fence and protection; they need care. Jesus’ sheep need the same.

God provides for these needs through the church and her leaders. Upon church leadership, the Bible imposes the authority and responsibility to require holy living of the membership. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). By clear implication, God holds ministers accountable to go beyond simply making sure that members obey direct Scriptural commands. The Bible was designed for varying cultures over a span of centuries. Many commands, therefore, are given as principles which need practical application. Modesty in attire, for example, represents a Biblical principle. But exactly what is modest? Ten people would have ten different ideas. The church, by Holy Spirit direction, must define a standard and require it or lose the principle itself.

A Biblical Church Maintains Purity.

Purity is nearly synonymous with holiness. Possessing it to perfection, God always requires holiness of His people. “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). In fact, He offers no hope of eternal life without it. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). In Ephesians 5:27, He applies the same standard to the church—“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” He simply will not tolerate sin.

Any sin making its appearance within the church fellowship dare not be ignored or glossed over. It spreads like cancer to engulf the whole group. “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6). If the guilty one resists efforts to help him, no choice remains but to terminate his fellowship. He who lives in sin is already out of fellowship with Christ. To continue in fellowship with the church, the body of Christ, only gives him a false sense of security and a vain hope of salvation. The Biblical church carefully guards her purity by dealing with sin in her midst.

In Conclusion:

Dear friend, the Bible contains all the information you need for an abundant spiritual life. Perhaps you have never heard some of these teachings before. Study them in your own Bible. Prove for yourself whether they are so. Remember, if you wish to live for God and be accepted of Him, you will need the help and fellowship that only a Biblical church can provide.

زبان

English

ناشر

Rod and Staff Publishers Inc.

موضوعات

کلیسا