(3) THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD Thus Gods one true church, His one fold, His one flock of today is not a denomination -- no matter how exalted their name, or how loudly they profess, because Gods one true church is made up of people. We must understand this vital point of truth, that Gods church is made up of people and not a denomination, in order to be free in Jesus and not continue to remain in bondage and captivity to men! Even in Christs time this battle of denominationalism was raging. Various church followers were battling with each other for converts and the right to declare themselves the one and only church of God. Each denomination was declaring that only they had the truth, and only in their church could God be truly worshipped. But did Christ sanction this belief? Did Christ choose one denomination over another for His people to worship God in? One person directly asked Christ this very question, and please read carefully what answer He gave: The woman (of Samaria) saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain (the temple at Mount Gerizim); and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for (the message of) salvation is of (was committed to) the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:19-24. Therefore Gods true church is not made up of this denomination or that denomination, but is made up of individuals who worship God in spirit and truth. So you do not need to find any denomination in order to worship God, but you can worship Him in your very homes -- just like the disciples and followers of Christ chose to do (see Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2). This beautiful knowledge that Gods church is made up of people and not any denomination is what sets you free in Jesus, and leads you to correctly understand other related issues regarding Gods church. Whereas, the belief that Gods true church is a denomination, will leave you in bondage to men, and to misunderstand other related issues regarding Gods church. Some may still be having problems in seeing the difference between these two understandings, so let us briefly examine the following related scenarios from both perspectives which will help to show the difference between the two issues, and it should become clearer why one leads to freedom in Christ, while the other leads to bondage of men. The Bible teaches that God is offering rest for all who are weary (see Isaiah 28:12, 30:15; Jeremiah 6:16). With the understanding that Gods church is made up of people, then we would individually find our rest only by going directly to Jesus (see Psalms 37:7; Matthew 11:28-30), and if we choose to leave Him, then we lose our rest and salvation. Whereas with the understanding that Gods church is a denomination, then we would find our rest only by going directly to the denomination, and if we choose to leave the denomination, then we believe that we have forsaken our rest and are lost. The Bible also teaches that Gods church is the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:23, 5:30). So in understanding that Gods true church is made up of people, then we individually become part of Christs body by joining Christ Himself and are baptized (see Galatians 3:27-29; Matthew 12:30; Romans 12:5; Mark 16:16). And if we should choose to break away from Christ, then we would no longer be part of His body or church and are lost. Whereas with the understanding that Gods church is a denomination, then we would become part of Christs body by joining the denomination through baptism. And if we should choose to break away from, or should be cast out of, the denomination, then we would believe that we are no longer part of the body of Christ and are lost.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 04:22:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015