Where is God's True Church Today?

Many years ago, the now defunct Worldwide Church of God (through its Ambassador College) published a booklet titled Where is God's True Church Today? The booklet opens with a brief survey of the "vast religious supermarket" that is modern Christianity. Indeed, the author noted that there is something out there to suit almost anyone's tastes, and the clear implication is that that is exactly how most folks choose which church to attend. Nevertheless, he went on to assert that they all can't be right, and that "If anyone of them is right - and remember, they all differ - then that one being right automatically renders all others wrong."

Now, on the surface, that logic seems reasonable. However, if we dig a little deeper, we can see that the author has presented us with a false dilemma. No, God is NOT the author of confusion, but humankind churns it out like butter! Our present reality reflects the fact that HUMANS have divided themselves into these groupings (Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, etc.). These groupings arose down through the centuries as Christians separated themselves from each other over differences in doctrines, rituals, governance, personalities, and a host of other things. And, although the members of each group would be quick to insist that their doctrines, rituals, governance, etc. are superior to all others, the members of other groups would just as quickly point out problems in those areas.

We'll have more to say about those differences in a moment, but it is imperative that we first understand exactly what the Church is in the context of the Greek New Testament. The English word "Church" is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia - which indicates a group of people called out of their homes into a public assembly. In other words, the "Church" is made up of all of the individual people whom God has called out of the world to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. According to the Apostle Paul, this assembly of believers represents the "Body of Christ" (Ephesians 1:22-23 and Colossians 1:18). Paul also told the Church at Corinth that "God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose." (I Corinthians 12:18). Hence, our personal decision to join some manmade organization does NOT put us into the ekklesia - the Body of Christ. Paul also told the saints at Rome that a person cannot be a Christian in their natural state (Romans 8:8). He continued: "Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." (Romans 8:9) So, the individual members of the body MUST accept Christ as their Savior, and they MUST experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, we see that God's ekklesia is NOT a manmade organization or building. It is all of the people around the world who have accepted Christ and currently have his Spirit within them. We have already seen that belief in Christ is essential. Even so, if we dig a little deeper, we see that there are a few other beliefs which are foundational to "TRUE" Christianity. In the sixth chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews, we are given a list of elementary or foundational principles: repentance, faith, baptism, consecration, resurrection, and judgment (verses 1-2). There is also an early catechism of the faith known as The Didache which mentions the two great commandments, living a life of righteousness and giving, baptism, fasting, the Lord's Prayer, Eucharist, Church offices, and the Lord's second coming. We also have The Apostles' Creed and The Nicene Creed (summaries and affirmations of belief in the narrative of the New Testament canon). Also, full disclosure, in 2017, I wrote a post titled The Essentials of Christianity. In that post, I identified eleven teachings which most Christian groups have in some form in common. In other words, I would not personally want to be associated with any group that didn't embrace these basic beliefs in some shape, form, or fashion.

Nevertheless, Christ said that the thing that would identify his followers would be their love for each other (John 13:35). In similar fashion, Paul wrote to the saints of Galatia that God's Spirit would produce identifiable fruits in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23). He also told Timothy that everyone who claims to be a Christian should distance themselves from sinful behaviors (II Timothy 2:19). Likewise, in the book of Revelation, the saints are identified as those who keep God's commandments (love for God and neighbor) and have the testimony or faith of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17 and 14:12). Hence, I would say that any person or group who did not exhibit these characteristics might not be part of the ekklesia! In conclusion, the scriptural references in this post identify God's Church and having your name on the rolls of some organization is inconsequential to that reality. To be clear, Christians should gather together in fellowship and worship (Hebrews 10:25), and there is certainly nothing wrong with belonging to a group which shares your theological views and sustains you spiritually (whether that is Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, or Jews for Jesus).