Articles
The “churches” aren’t, but Christ’s church is!
When Jesus spoke about building His church in Matthew 16:18, it was going to be a special people that would be purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28; I Pet. 2:9). Even though people were being added to Christ’s church by the Lord Himself (Acts 2:47), there were religious sects that also existed (Acts 15:5; 26:5, etc.). The same can be said today. There are many man-made religions that are religious sects, but sadly, they often call themselves a church.
Christ didn’t build churches. He said He was going to build His church. There is one universal body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4). Yet, we know that when Christians gather and follow the Head, Christ, you have a local church (I Cor. 11:17-18; Phil. 1:1, etc.). In the first century, churches were written inspired letters to tell them how to conduct themselves, which was most of the New Testament (II Tim. 3:16-17).
What I find interesting is how religious leaders of the different sects in the world proclaim that the “church is under attack.” From a Biblical standpoint, those groups are not under attack; they have already been overtaken. When such groups invent their own plan of salvation, their own ways to worship, and their own ways to be organized, this isn’t a church that is Christ’s. Yes, they call themselves a church, but in truth, they are just a sect.
I don’t say all of that to be heartless and arrogant. The point is, local churches that are trying to follow Christ will end up like other false religions if they don’t stand on guard. Why stand on guard? Because the Lord’s church is most definitely under attack. Therefore, efforts need to be put forth to keep itself a glorious church without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:27). After all, there needs to be proper behavior in the church of Christ since it is to be the pillar and ground of truth (I Tim. 3:15).
Let us be aware of the wiles of the devil and may we be perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgment (I Cor. 1:10).
