Chapter One – Where Is God’s Church Today?
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In one of the most powerful, dramatic and profoundly important statements in the Bible, Jesus Christ declared, I will build My Church; (Matt. 16:18). He did not say churches,; fellowships,; sects,; denominations; or communities of believers.; No matter how men try to place an interpretation on it, this passage speaks of a single Church—of one, undivided organization! Jesus continued, and the gates of hell [the grave] shall not prevail against it.; He promised that HisChurch could never be destroyed.
Over 2,000 different professing Christian organizations have been built; by men in the U.S. Another is started every three days. Estimates place the number of professing Christians at above 2 billion. While church attendance seems to be increasing, it is not increasing as fast as the confusion surrounding the question of which is the right church.While it has been said, They cant all be wrong,; it is more correct to say, They cannot all be right.; If Christ built His Church as He said, then it can be found somewhere on earth today—and it is the only right Church. But we must ask: How do we find it—what do we look for—how do we identify it—how do we know it if we see it?
Early Religion
My mother required me to read many books when growing up. I spent many summers reading her assigned book a week.; I enjoyed most of them and am very thankful she did this. On occasion, perhaps two or three times, I picked up the Bible and attempted to read it. But I never got far, because it made no sense to me. I simply could not understand the Bible.Despite this lack of understanding, upon turning sixteen, I was confirmed; into the church that I had been born into. I recall having to appear briefly before a panel of deacons; to answer some questions, which I no longer remember. I do recall making some kind of general affirmation about this denomination, but I also remember that I was not concerned in the least with whether or not I was in the right church, or if I was fulfilling the Bible definition of a Christian.
Neither of these questions remotely interested me. I did vaguely believe that God existed, but He was not real to me. I had certainly never attempted to build a personal relationship with Him or to find His true Church. I did not pray or study His Word for guidance or doctrinal instruction. These concerns did not enter my mind until a year and a half later, in 1966, when I heard a powerful voice on the radio that introduced me to Christs statement in Matthew 16:18. I began to question where I could find this true Church. I immediately realized that it had to exist because, through just basic study, I came to understand Christs promise that it would remain and could not be destroyed.
Traditions of Men Jesus declared something almost none seem to believe or even know about: But in vain they doworship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men; (Matt. 15:9). In Marks parallel account of this statement, He continued, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition; (Mk 7:9).
The worlds Christianity is filled with traditions. One of the largest is the traditional view of the New Testament Church. Most ministers, theologians and religionists typically define the church in this way: All those who sincerely believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior comprise the true Church.; This is often followed with the familiar statement, There are many routes to heaven; or There are many spokes on the wheel of salvation.; Though the Bible does not teach that heaven is the reward of the saved, the clear implication of these clichés is that people can believe what they want, or be a part of any group or organization they choose, and still be Christians—still receive whatever is salvation. While people may sincerely believe these traditional ideas, they are sincerely wrong!
My research led me to absolute proof of where the Church was that Christ promised to build. I learned that this Church could be carefully traced through almost 2,000 years of New Testament history. I was shocked. I could not believe the Bible was so clear on a subject that confuses so many.
Your Bible declares, God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints [the context shows this refers to all congregations of the true Church, not all organizations of men]; (I Cor. 14:33).
Gods Church (composed of many congregations of saints) was to reflect peace—not confusion. You need not be confused about the identity of the true Church. God commands, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good; (I Thes. 5:21). While this certainly refers to scriptural matters (not the car you drive or house you buy), it does say that ALL things,; not some things,; should be proven! Surely God would not exclude something of such magnitude—such supremely vital importance—as the matter of where His true Church is found. And He would never emphatically tell people to prove things that cannot be proven!
The more I studied the other doctrines of the Bible, the more I learned that the churches of this world were wrong—on virtually everything! One plain scripture after another contradicted eachtraditional Christian; idea I had been taught. I was amazed—actually stunned—at how easy it was to find direct, clear, undeniable proof that even the most popular traditions of the big denominations were not based on the Bible—at all!
Each time I studied a Bible doctrine—salvation, baptism, who and what God is, the gospel, death and hell, law and sin, grace, being born again, the Christian Sabbath, the true origin of supposed Christian; holidays, where the modern-day tribes of ancient Israel are found today, the sequence of prophetic events preceding Christs Return and so much more—I gained undeniable proof of what the Bible really taught! I was excited and fascinated. I found that the churches of this world were almost invariably confused on all these and many other plain points of Bible teaching. I came to realize that there had to be a church that correctly believed and practiced all the doctrines of the Bible.
I learned that this Church existed, and that the proof identifying it and setting it apart from all the churches of recognized, mainstream Christianity was no different than the proof of any other biblical doctrine. I also learned that the scope of the proof—the sheer volume of facts—was vast, almost overwhelming in amount.
A Persecuted Little Flock
When speaking to His disciples about the importance of seeking the kingdom of God, Christ said, Fear not, little flock; for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom; (Luke 12:32). By no stretch can any church comprised of millions, let alone over two billion collectively, be considered a little flock.;
Christ understood that His Church—His little flock—would be persecuted and despised by the world. Just before His crucifixion, He warned, Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; (John 15:20). In the preceding verse in the context, Jesus had reminded His disciples that I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.; Of course, Christ was persecuted, to the point of horrible crucifixion after a night of brutal torture. Therefore, the true Church could also expect to be persecuted—and hated! Those in it are not of the world.; The world senses this and hates them for it (Rom. 8:7). Christ used Paul to record, Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall sufferpersecution; (II Tim. 3:12). The word all; means what it says!
Consider what we have just discussed. How many churches can you name that are small, persecuted, not of this world—and even hated because of it? Think about those you are familiar with. Do any fit this description? Surely not many!
The Importance of the Name of the Church
The worlds churches have many different names, which are derived in various ways. These include the particular doctrines they teach, the names of the men who founded them, the humanly-devised type of church government that they espouse, their location, or their intended scope and size, such as universal or catholic—in order to be thought of as all-encompassing.
On the night of His betrayal, Christ prayed for His Church. Here is what He said:Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one, as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name...I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Your truth:Your word is truth; (John 17:11-12, 14-17).
There are twelve separate places where the New Testament records that the true Church has been kept in the name of the Father—God. The first five refer to the entire Church, or Body of Christ, as a whole. The next four speak of a specific local congregation, while using the same term Church of God.; This may refer to the Church of God at Judea or Corinth, etc. The final three references speak collectively of all the individual local congregations combined. All these references use the term Churches of God;:
(1) Acts 20:28: This verse is instruction to the elders to feed the church of god.;
(2) I Corinthians 10:32: Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of god.;
(3) I Corinthians 11:22: ...or despise you the church of god, and shame them that have not?;
(4) I Corinthians 15:9: Paul wrote the same thing to two congregations: For...I persecuted the church of god.;
(5) Galatians 1:13: I persecuted the church of god.;
(6) I Corinthians 1:2: the church of god which is at Corinth.;
(7) II Corinthians 1:1: the church of god which is at Corinth.;
(8) I Timothy 3:5: Paul references any elder in a local congregation: For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of god?;
(9) I Timothy 3:15: ...behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living god.; This verse adds a descriptive word to God by using the term living.;
(10) I Corinthians 11:16: ...We have no such custom, neither the churches of god.;
(11) I Thessalonians 2:14: For you...became followers of the churches of god which in Judea are in Christ Jesus.;
(12) II Thessalonians 1:4: So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of god.;In the modern age, for corporate reasons, the Church of God may use an additional descriptive name to distinguish itself from other Churches of God;—those merely appropriating Gods name, but not obeying His commandments, believing His true doctrines or doing His Work. Herbert W. Armstrong, the twentieth-century leader of the Church, chose the name Worldwide Church of God and before that, Radio Church of God. We have chosen the name The Restored Church of God.
Just as various mainstream denominations may have a few correct doctrines mixed with much error, some appropriate to themselves the name of Gods Church. This chapter will later explain why some few churches may even have a significant amount of truth, but choose to accept a variety of false doctrines. Only one church on the face of the earth has the correct name and teaches all the additional many true doctrines that the Bible teaches! Recall that Christ prayed, Sanctify them through Your truth: Your word is truth.; The Church that Christ works through, directs and guides is sanctified—set apart—by its belief of the plain truth of Gods Word!
In addition to carrying the name Church of God,; we have seen that the true Church has come out of the world, is small and persecuted, even to the point of being hated by it. This Church is then also set apart by its beliefs and practices—which are in complete agreement with the truth of the Bible!
Unified Through God's Word
Men have their own differing definitions of what the Church actually is—and these could be listed almost without end—but only the Bible definition—Gods definition—matters. Read it for yourself. Paul wrote to Timothy, ...that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth; (I Tim. 3:15). In the end, no other definition, devised by men, is acceptable. This definition of the Church Christ built will guide us throughout the remainder of this chapter. Gods Church has and teaches the truth.;We have discussed how this worlds churches are in confusion, divided by endless disagreement over doctrine and practice. Amos 3:3 asks, Can two walk together, except they be agreed?; The answer is NO!
This worlds churches do not practice the principle of Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God; (Luke 4:4), exactly as written. Instead, since they follow the many differing traditions of men, endless disagreements separate, divide and create more and more churches of men. These organizations generally do not walk together,; because they do not agree;—either with each other or God! (And we have seen this starts with the very definition of what is the New Testament Church.)
Gods Church is different. Many New Testament verses show that the Church Christ built is unified—with all its members and congregations walking together in complete agreement with each other, and with God and Christ.An important point, demonstrating the unity to be seen in the true Church, emerges from Christs same prayer of John 17 ALL, on the night of His betrayal. Notice:And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified [set apart] through the truth...That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be onein Us: that the world may believe that You have sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me; (Jn 17:19, 21-23).
These are powerful statements! Christ intended that His Church be unified—one;—no less than were He and His Father! There is no room for disagreement in a Church that is this unified. These verses describe a perfect oneness through the truth—the same kind of oneness that the Father and Christ enjoy. It is this kind of unity that allows true Christians to be in; them—be in Christ and in the Father (Jn 17:21).
Even in the Old Testament, David recorded, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity; (Psa. 133:1).
We will in the next chapter examine several New Testament passages to see if, in fact, this kind of wonderful unity was apparent after the New Testament Church came into existence. We will see if Gods servants teach and administer this kind of agreement, and learn how that unity is achieved.
Now notice this earliest picture of Christs Church. On Pentecost, with the disciples gathered in one accord; (Acts 2:1) on the day the New Testament Church was formed, 3,000 converts were baptized. They formed the very beginning of Christs building of His Church. The initial description given was ...and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship; (Ac 2:42), ...all that believed were together; (Ac 2:44) and ...they, continuing daily with one accord...did eat their meat [food] with gladness and singleness of heart; (Ac 2:46).
From these verses, we clearly see that the Church Christ built was unified—in agreement—over doctrine, and together. Notice Ac 2:47: And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.; In the Church Christ guides and directs, He is the One who adds to it, building it!So then, are there verses—plain statements!—making absolutely clear that Christ constructed but one Church, built only one, unified House;—one organization? There are many…
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