A TRUE cHURCH

What is a church? Many people would answer that question by saying that it is a building where people go to worship and where the presence of God is. Some would even go further saying that it has to be an immaculate building of great size with the pastor who is well taken care of by the congregation. However, the bible says differently.

Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, ⁴⁹Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Why then are there so many different churches throughout the world, professing that you cannot receive salvation unless you are a member of their particular church? The answer is given in,

Mark 7:7-8 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. ⁸For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, …

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

According to the scriptures, “Where two or three are gathered in the name of the Lord” His spirit is also with them. This means that whenever true believers gather to worship the Heavenly Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – they are in Church. The location is irrelevant. In the Holy Bible the church gathered in Synagogues, temples, houses and hillsides to teach the wonderful works of God.

Acts 7:38 This is he [Christ], that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

After Christ descended up to heaven, his disciples taught the doctrine of repentance in his name. Therefore a true church of God will then be a gathering of individuals who keep the commandments through the examples set for by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

We should now be able to understand that according to the Holy Bible, the true Church is not the building but the people – and not any just any people but those who have repented in Christ.

John 4:23 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.

The apostle Paul gave a warning to the Churches of old that is just as relevant today. The warning was to beware of what doctrines we build upon as the foundation to our Churches. If the doctrine of your church is based on: homosexuality, prosperity teachings, witchcraft, idolatry, fornication or any other breaking of the commandments then it is not the true Church that the Bible speaks of.

1Corinthians 3:10   According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

We encourage all those who read these scriptures to tear down these foundations of lies, sin and hypocrisy and build on the true foundation of repentance through Christ.

Shalam