When Jesus was on earth he assured his disciples that he would build his church on a solid foundation and that it would never die (Matthew 16:18).
The church Jesus established grew quickly and within a few years had spread far and wide. Initially people who followed Jesus were known as those that followed The Way. It was at Antioch that they were first called Christians (Acts 11:16).
Today, nearly two thousand years later, there are many seekers and Christians who ask where is Gods true church today? This is a valid question. There are hundreds if not a few thousand Christian denominations around the world today. This can be confusing and disheartening for a person who is seeking to join Gods church (the one Jesus started on a solid rock). It is no wonder that some people have spent years searching and moving from one church denomination to another.
What often makes matters worse is that many churches will quite openly preach and promote that they are the true church of God. That they have some special truth no other has. The sad reality is that in many developed, western countries the Christian population is not growing. Christian churches in these countries that are growing are often doing so at the expense of other churches. In other words, people will leave one church and join another, while less and less new, true converts enter.
Be that as it may, the question still remains as to where is Gods true church today? Added to this is why are there so many denominations? Can they all be true churches of God?
Two or three gathered together
Some of the answer is possibly in that our perceptions might not be totally accurate. Jesus said that he would build his church (singular). But does this mean that there is therefore only one (singular) church in terms of denominations? This is often how we tend to think of the church, as an organisation that has formal structures, including buildings. However, Jesus said that where two or three come together in his name, there he will be with them (Matthew18:20). In other words, wherever or whenever just a few people come together in the name of Jesus, to worship, pray or have a Bible study he will also be there among them. Is that not a church? And if Jesus is there, then it must be part of his church, not so?
The scriptures talk about the body of Christ and if we are Christians in Christ then we are members of this body. Normally we tend to think of the body (singular) as a specific church denomination (usually the one we are a part of). Jesus Christ is of course the head, but we might view the mouth as the pastor and the hand as the deacon and so on, because each part of the body has its purpose and abilities that the other does not. There is nothing wrong with this view, but could it not also be that different denominations might be different body parts of the same body of Christ? What I have come to see over the years is that different churches definitely have different abilities and spiritual gifts. Some churches have the ability and passion to do mission work, while others have the gift of producing life-changing TV programmes. The church I am a member of has always had the ability (or spiritual gift) to publish high quality, thought provoking magazines and to be passionate students of the Bible.
Worshipping differently
Another possibility is that we as people and cultures are very different and tend to want to express our praise and worship differently. For example, some Christians prefer more formal church services and dress, while others prefer T-shirts and jeans and enjoying dancing and clapping when singing praises to God. Who is to say which is right or wrong? Possibly Jesus, in his great wisdom, has allowed us as humans to express our worship of him in a variety of ways. The hand is not the foot, neither can it be.
Some of the answer is that there are a lot of different denominations and actual church groups that are part of the true church of God. A story in the life of the prophet Elijah supports this idea. When Elijah fled from Queen Jezebel and hid in a cave, God appeared to him. Elijah says to God that he alone is the only true surviving follower of God (1 Kings 19:14). Not so, replies God in verse 18, I have seven thousand true followers spread throughout Israel that you dont even know about. These were true followers of God (today we might call them Christians) yet they definitely did not attend the same church Elijah did.
What to look for
However, it is also safe to say that not every church or evangelist out there is a part of Gods church. So what should we look out for? First and foremost the churchs central focus must be Jesus Christ. They should teach and nurture their members. The teachings must be 100% Bible based and supported. They must confirm that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully human, that he died for our sins and rose again that we may have life eternally. The early church, within the first few hundred years after Jesus, before there were so many denominations or even Protestants and Catholics, confirmed many of the central teachings. These can be found in what is known as the Nicene Creed, written AD325. A church that is truly a follower of Christ (Christian) will confirm and uphold these dogmas.
The entire Bible and its authors continually point us to Jesus. To me an acid test is therefore to whom is the preacher or church pointing us? I have seen TV evangelists who seem to want to bring more glory to themselves than to Jesus. Also be wary of denominations that talk, but never seem to quote or preach from the Bible. Also be wary of those that preach a health and wealth gospel. The gospel (good news) is that we are saved by grace only, and that not of ourselves but it is a gift from God the Father, through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10). The gospel is not that if you are good and give the church some money then Jesus will keep you healthy and give you a brand new sports car.
Christians should want to grow
Firstly, pray and study your Bible. Ask God to lead you to a church congregation where you can learn more about Jesus and where you can serve him. What use is the nose to the body if it is not active and doing what it was made to do? Talk to other Christians and never be afraid to ask difficult questions and expect Bible-based answers. Dont simply look for a church that agrees with your philosophy or ideas. Look for a church where you can learn and develop a deeper, meaningful relationship with Jesus. As Christians we should want to grow. Even if its difficult or painful to change, we should not look for a comfortable seat in which to relax. Be mindful that any church is filled with imperfect humans that are going to let you down or hurt you at some stage, just in the same way you probably will. That should not be the signal to up and leave, or else you will be church hopping for the rest of your life.
One of my favourite stories is about a person who was the soul survivor of a shipwreck and for some time lived alone on a small desert island, in the middle of the sea somewhere. One day a ship came past and rescued the survivor. As they sailed away the captain and this person were leaning on the ships rail looking at the small island slowly becoming more distant. Were you not the only person on the island? asked the captain. Yes, came the reply. Then why are there three little huts on the island? asked the captain further. Well, the one on the left was my house. The one on the right was the church I attended. And the one in the middle was the church I used to attend until I had a disagreement with them and left. Although not a true story, it is all too true.
So, where is Gods true church today? It is everywhere. It is in large weekly gatherings in beautiful buildings, it is in your neighbours house every Wednesday night when two or three friends gather to worship Jesus in prayer and Bible Study. It is in the body of Christ, it is being in Christ. It is simply loving your neighbour as yourself and telling your close friends the great news about how Jesus has forgiven their sins and loves them.
P.S. The church I attend has a hand in producing this wonderful magazine. Our passion is to preach Christ and him alone, and to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus, not to try and gain more members for our congregation. However, should you wish to attend one of our congregations to see for yourself, please feel free to contact any of the Pastors listed on the back cover to find out where is the nearest weekly meeting held.