Finding God’s True Church in Our Day

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

• Are all the churches in your city a part of the Body of Christ?
• Which denomination is of God?
• Would God be the author of conflicting denominations and contradicting doctrines?
• Was the true church ever depicted by an abundance of wealth and large membership?
• Do you realize that your church, if not approved of God is classified as a part of false religion?

True or False Religion?

Have you ever wondered what your reaction would have been if you were looking for a church in the city of Jerusalem two thousand years ago?  Put yourself back there for a few moments and let’s see what would be discovered.  It is quite evident that the Pharisee Church would be the most outstanding organization.  Towering edifices, outstanding membership, prominent social influence, seeming permanency and financial stability, would be major reflections of this religious body.  The apostle Paul describes the moral supremacy of the Pharisee organization as ‘straitest of sect’ within the Jewish religion. (Acts 26:5).

Assuming that your estimation of a good church was determined by these factors, it is no doubt that you would become a Pharisee.

Similar to the organizational structure of the Pharisee sect, were other religious bodies such as the Essenes, the Nazarites, the Sadducees, and many other well organized groups.  As in the Twentieth Century society, established orthodoxy in Jesus’ day had quite a seductive display of membership, wealth and stability.

However, amidst the pomp and splendour of these apostate groups, one might, through a scandalous rumour, stumble upon a wayside preacher nicknamed John the Baptist.  Dressed in camel’s hair and having no building to house his followers, John spend most of his time preaching on the banks of the muddy river Jordan.  His audience comprised basically of the lesser moral and social element of the Jewish society (Mt. 21:32).

Unlike the seminary graduates of our day, John the Baptist had a very blunt and seemingly uncouth approach and his sermons were audacious and unapologetic.  To be precise, 21st century style ministerial ethics and pulpit manners were both rare commodities in the ministry of John.  Yet he was the man God sent (Jn. 1:16).  He represented God’s true church at that time...

Your Choice:

Now, set before us is quite a variety of churches from which to choose.  Which would you choose?  Well, it depends on what you are searching for.  If looking for an already established church with beautiful buildings, financial security, a large membership and a well -organized priesthood, you may become a member of the Pharisee church.  Of course, becoming a member of such an enormous denomination may even pave the way for job opportunities, political influence, and countless social benefits.

God’s Choice:

The ecumenical minded individual who sees all as representatives of God would unhesitantly advise to, “go to the church of your choice”.  But is this what God wants?

Would God send a dozen preachers to a city, each preaching different ideas about God at the same time?  In John’s day, he was the man God sent.  His work was the true church.  To be precise, established orthodoxy was that element of dead or false religion while this almost cult-like movement that John the Baptist spearheaded was the true church.  While his six month ministry lasted, all religious activity outside of John’s was an expression of apostasy.  The followers of John became a part of the present move of God for that time (2 Pet. 1:12).  If you wanted to be a part of the work of God, you had to follow John.