How Can We Know Which Church

How Can We Know Which Church

Introduction

When people lose something important — a beloved dog, a stolen car, a treasured possession — they do not want a substitute. They want the original, the exact one. In the same way, when Jesus promised to build His church, He was not talking about many different versions. He had one in mind, and the only way to find it today is to compare what we see in the religious world to the description given in the New Testament.

The Origin of the Church

The New Testament clearly marks the church’s beginning in both time and place. Isaiah prophesied that the Lord’s house would be established in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2). In Luke 24, Jesus told His apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the promised power from on high. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in various languages to the multitude gathered for Pentecost. Peter stood with the eleven, preached the gospel, and declared that Old Testament prophecy was being fulfilled at that moment. The church began in Jerusalem in the first century, exactly where and when God intended.

The Founder and Head of the Church

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build My church.” The true church must be founded by Christ, not by any man, council, or religious movement. Acts 2 shows us that Jesus, having ascended to the right hand of God, reigns over His church. No one else has the authority to create, alter, or head the Lord’s church. The real church’s founder and head is Jesus Christ alone.

The Name of the Church

Names matter because they identify ownership. The New Testament refers to the church in various ways — the church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2), the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), the church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23), and the churches of Christ (Romans 16:16). All these designations point directly to Christ or God, never to a man, movement, or place. The true church answers to Christ and bears His name.

The Authority of the Church

Jesus declared in John 12:48 that His words will judge all in the last day. Colossians 3:17 instructs, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The New Testament church takes all authority from Christ through His word. It does not answer to conventions, creed books, synods, or human traditions. Its rule of faith and practice is Scripture alone.

The Conditions of Salvation

The true church teaches exactly what the apostles taught in the first century. One must believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John 8:24), repent of sins (Luke 13:3), confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and be immersed for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4). Afterward, one must live faithfully to the end (Revelation 2:10). This pattern is unchanging and essential.

The Worship of the Church

Jesus said true worshipers must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). The New Testament authorizes specific acts of worship: singing with the voice from the heart, without instruments (Ephesians 5:19); prayer to the Father through Christ (Colossians 3:17); the Lord’s Supper observed every first day of the week (Acts 20:7), partaking of both bread and fruit of the vine; and freewill offerings to support the work of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). The true church follows these patterns exactly as given.

The Mission of the Church

The first-century church preached the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and took the gospel to all nations (Mark 16:15-16). It supported the truth (1 Timothy 3:15) and worked to save souls. This mission remains unchanged today.

The Importance of the Right Church

Just as no substitute will do when reclaiming something precious, no substitute will do for the church Jesus built. The Holy Spirit has given us a complete picture in the New Testament so we can identify it. If a church’s origin, founder, name, authority, doctrine, worship, or mission does not match that picture, it is not the Lord’s church. The only one worth seeking and being part of is the one Jesus built — the one described in Scripture.

How Can We Know Which Church Sermon Outline

• Introduction

  • Illustration of lost possessions and desire for the original

  • Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18)

  • Goal: Identify the New Testament church today

• The Origin of the Church

  • Prophesied in Isaiah 2, fulfilled in Acts 2

  • Began in Jerusalem, first century

• The Founder and Head

  • Founded by Christ alone (Matthew 16:18)

  • Christ reigns over His church from heaven (Acts 2:33-36)

• The Name

  • Biblical designations: church of God, body of Christ, church of the firstborn, churches of Christ

  • Identifies ownership and authority

• Authority

  • Christ’s words judge (John 12:48)

  • All done in His name (Colossians 3:17)

  • Scripture is the sole rule of faith

• Conditions of Salvation

  • Believe (John 8:24)

  • Repent (Luke 13:3)

  • Confess (Romans 10:9-10)

  • Be immersed (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)

  • Live faithfully (Revelation 2:10)

• Worship

  • Singing without instruments (Ephesians 5:19)

  • Prayer through Christ (Colossians 3:17)

  • Lord’s Supper every first day of the week (Acts 20:7)

  • Freewill offerings (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)

• Mission

  • Preach the whole gospel (Acts 20:27)

  • Evangelize the world (Mark 16:15-16)

  • Support the truth (1 Timothy 3:15)

• Conclusion

  • The New Testament provides a clear picture

  • No substitute is acceptable

  • Seek the one church Jesus built

Call to Action

Examine the church you are part of and compare it carefully to the description in the New Testament. Look at its origin, founder, name, authority, teaching, worship, and mission. If it does not match the pattern revealed by the Holy Spirit, seek out and become part of the Lord’s church. Your soul depends on it.

Key Takeaways

• The church began in Jerusalem in the first century (Acts 2)

• Jesus is the sole founder and head (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:33-36)

• The church bears biblical names identifying Christ (Romans 16:16)

• Authority comes only from Christ’s word (John 12:48; Colossians 3:17)

• Salvation requires belief, repentance, confession, immersion, and faithful living (Acts 2:38; Revelation 2:10)

• Worship follows New Testament patterns (Ephesians 5:19; Acts 20:7)

• The mission is to preach the whole gospel to all (Mark 16:15-16)

Scripture Reference List

• Matthew 16:18 – Christ promises to build His church

• Isaiah 2 – Prophecy of the Lord’s house in Jerusalem

• Acts 2 – Establishment of the church on Pentecost

• Romans 16:16 – Churches of Christ

• 1 Corinthians 1:2 – Church of God

• Ephesians 1:22-23 – Body of Christ, with Christ as head

• John 12:48 – Christ’s words will judge

• Colossians 3:17 – Do all in the name of the Lord

• John 8:24 – Belief in Christ is essential

• Luke 13:3 – Necessity of repentance

• Romans 10:9-10 – Confession leads to salvation

• Mark 16:16 – Belief and baptism result in salvation

• Acts 2:38 – Repentance and baptism for forgiveness

• Romans 6:3-4 – Baptism as burial with Christ

• Revelation 2:10 – Be faithful unto death

• John 4:23-24 – Worship in spirit and truth

• Ephesians 5:19 – Singing from the heart

• Acts 20:7 – Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week

• 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – Freewill offerings

• Acts 20:27 – Preaching the whole counsel of God

• 1 Timothy 3:15 – The church as the pillar of truth

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO