Have you ever wondered why there are so many different churches? Many of them claim to be the same, but they all teach something different. Have you ever heard the statement, "Go to the church of your choice?" Where did that come from? Can it be found in the scriptures, the Holy Bible? Do I need to be baptized and go to church to be saved?
There are answers to these questions. Answers that can be found the Word of God. God created us and He alone is qualified to give instruction about our salvation. Let's look at scripture to find out what God has to say through His inspired writers.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17 says that, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." In this we see that all scripture, the entire Bible was inspired by God.
2 Peter 1:21says, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." You can trust the Bible's accuracy. It is the Word of God.
Can there be unity? Jesus pray for unity in John 17:17-21. Yes there can be unity, but only when all men submit to the word and will of God. 1 Corinthians 1: discusses divisions that began to divide the church. Paul said in verse 10, "Now I beseech you, brethern, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." Paul goes on to say that Christ is not divided; neither did another man die for our salvation.
That sure doesn't sound like many of the religious leaders today. Many of the "big named" tele-evangelist and other "evangelist" end their sermons with a sinner's prayer or statement of surrender and then admonish you to "Go to the church of your choice." This sounds nothing like Paul the apostle of Christ. Neither did Christ say anything similar. Jesus said “he that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved." Matthew 28:18-20. Also 1 Peter 3:21 state, "...Baptism doth also now save us..." Acts 2:38-47 also teaches baptism as essential for salvation and once baptized a person is added to the church. "The church" lets us know that there is but one. Ephesians 4:4 lets us know that there is "one body" "which is the church" according to Colossians 1:18, 24. So where did "church of your choice come from? So, why don't all religious leaders say, “Be baptized and Go to the church of God's choice."
The reason: Jesus said that false teachers would come after His return to heaven. Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." Verse 11 says, " And many false prophets shall rise, and deceive many."
This raises the question of "Who is a false prophet?" Galatians 1: 6-9, informs us that any person that teaches anything differently from what the original apostles of Christ taught by divine inspiration, is a false prophet. Paul goes on to say that he/she should be accursed. 1 Timothy 4 again informs us that false prophets will arise, speaking lies and deceiving with seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. They will do this "having their conscience seared with a hot iron;". This signifies that they will be so full of sin that they will even believe their own lies. They will teach others the same lies with no regard to the damnation to come. Further down in the chapter Paul admonishes Timothy in verse 16, "Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." All true followers of Christ recognize the importance of making sure that what they believe is God-ordained. Any man or woman who sets up a church picking and choosing what to teach from God's word is a false teacher. Rev. 22:18-19 warns against adding or taking away from the word of God. Anyone that creates their own rules, creeds, and manuals for church organization and leadership is in danger of God's judgment.
Remember, Jesus prayed for unity. If everyone's way would secure eternal life, then why would Jesus pray that prayer. Furthermore, why would Jesus say, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by Me." John 14:6 He alone has the God-given authority to start a church and set up it organization (Matthew 17:1-6; Matthew 16:13-19).
What can we do? There are good people in those churches founded by someone other than Christ. In Rom.10:1-3, there were a group of people who had a zeal to obey God but they went about it the wrong way. Just like millions in the world today, they have good intentions, but are under false teachers. Paul said, "Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men." There will be many who face the judgment of Christ and sadly hear Christ says, "I never knew you". A lifetime of honest, but misguided devotion gone to waste (Matthew 7:15:23). We plead to you that choose not to face judgment unprepared.
How can I be prepared? We must first be assured of our own salvation (2 Corinthians 13:5). Follow Christ's plan of salvation. 1) Hear the gospel (Corinthians 15:1-6). 2) Believe in God and that Christ is His Son (Hebrews 11:6; Acts 8:37; John 14:1). 3) Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 7:10). 4) Confess that Jesus is the Son of God( Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37). 5) Be baptized for the remission of your sins( Matthew 28:29-20; 1Peter 3:21) Then we must follow the commands of Christ and go teach all men (Mark 16:15-16). Revelations 2:10 and 2 Timothy 4:5-8 encourages us to be faithful to the end and we will receive the eternal blessings of God.
There are so many people blindly and unknowingly following false teachers (prophets). They will never know that they are lost and in darkness until someone show them the way. Someone must go and tell the world that "God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."John 3:16-17. The matter is urgent. For we know not the day nor the hour when the Lord shall appear, for He shall come "as a thief in the night"(1 Thessalonians 5).
It is our plea that you search the scriptures and know for sure that you are in "the" right way.
Go to the church of God's choice. Christ only established one. There is one Lord, one faith, one body, one Spirit, one hope, one baptism, and one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-6). Always compare your life practices and beliefs to the word of God. Make the necessary changes immediately. By doing so you will never fail (2 Peter 1:3:10).
If you would like to study the scriptures with us more, please contact
Freeman Malone, Jr. (256)233-2251
John Malone, Sr. (256)230-0206
Bryant Malone jbjmal@yahoo.com
We care about you and we desire to help you in your spiritual journey.
To find a Church of Christ near you contact us.
May God bless you to know Him in all his richness.
Worship Service
- Bible Class 10:00AM
- Worship Service 11:00AM
- Evening Service 5:00PM
- Wednesday Bible Class 6:00PM
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