Where Is The True Church?
WHICH WAY SHOULD WE CHOOSE?
Proverbs 16:25¶There isa waythat seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Man’s way is a way unto eternal damnation, which is the second death and many are his ways. There is also a “way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” The way, “which leadeth unto life”, is God’s way through Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
There is only one way and that way is through Jesus:
John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
WILL A MAN CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS ON HIS OWN?
John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
WILL EVERYONE WHO SEEKS SALVATION BE SAVED?
Luke 13:23¶Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24Striveto enter in at thestraitgate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
If most everyone is going to “church” and, as I understand, eighty five percent of people in general when asked if they are going to heaven say they are, are they the “few” or “the many”?
Matthew 7:13Enter ye in at the strait gate: forwide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and fewthere be that find it.
This verse would indicate the difference between the “few” and “the many” of them that are seeking salvation, but not necessarily talking about all of the people in this world, who are not seeking at all. In other words, of all of them that seek salvation, “the many” shall perish into eternal damnation and there will only be a select “few” that find salvation.
Merriam-Webster’s strait:
1 archaic a : giving little room : not broad : NARROW <strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it Mt 7:14 (Authorized Version)> b : limited in space or time : RESTRICTED c : closely fitting : tightly drawn : CONSTRICTED, TIGHT, CLOSE
Why is it that “the many” shall seek and not be able to enter in, which is to obtain salvation? Is one of the reasons because, through subtly, Satan has again stolen away the very words of God and left in their place distortions of truth, which have little or no power and have called these perversions Bibles, so as to deceive all those who would, half-heartedly, seek after salvation? Could another reason be that they stand on their instant salvation gospels and other corruptions they proclaim as their doctrines in taking scriptures out of context, but refuse to seek Jesus and become one with Him as in “knowing” Him.
John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Matthew 15:8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
HOW IS IT THAT WE ARE TO KNOW THE TRUTH?
John 8:31¶Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If Satan has stolen the words of God away through modern Bible Perversions, then many more, in our day and time, would be deceived and suffer eternal damnation. This is why we must stand on the pure word of God, in obedience to every word of God. Every word of God is our life and sustains each of us.
Luke 4:4And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Matthew 4:4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED KEY OF SALVATION IS HERE:
Matthew 7:21¶Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Yes, the MANY who perish “never knew” Jesus, experientially nor became one flesh with Him as Adam knew Eve and they became one flesh. The key is in “knowing” Jesus.
Genesis 2:24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Genesis 4:1¶And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
Ephesians 5:31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
WHO IS THE HEAD AND FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH?
Ephesians 5:23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Colossians 1:18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
FOUNDATION
There are some who believe Peter is the rock/foundation, on which the church is built, but Peter was given “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” and Jesus is referring to the rock as Himself.
Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and uponthis rockI will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
2 Samuel 22:47The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
Psalms 89:26He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
Psalms 95:1 ¶O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Ephesians 2:20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
1 Peter 2:6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
If the true believers are “the church”, how then can the church go to the church, but the church simply be gathered together?
Are we to gather together the church buildings or the body of Christ?
Acts 14:27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
The true believers are the elect/election (ekhlesia), the “called-out ones”, ones set apart and called by God. Called out from what? The elect are called to be separate from this world, its institutions, and its traditions by being not unequally yoked together with them or partaking with them in their evil deeds.
Colossians 3:12¶Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are calledin one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Romans 11:5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Merriam-Webster’s elect:
: one chosen or set apart: a : one chosen by God as the object of mercy or favor <the emperor was the elect of God R.M.French> <they were of the elect, those chosen by God J.C.Brauer> b : a select or exclusive group of people <her status changed from that of “outsider” to one of the elect when her classmates discovered that she could sing F above high C Current Biography>
Merriam-Webster’s separate:
2 archaic : to set aside for a special purpose : CHOOSE, DEDICATE <came into existence with the sense of being a “separated” nation, which God was using to make a new beginning for mankind Reinhold Niebuhr>
The church is to become without “having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish”:
Ephesians 5:27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not havingspot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
1 Peter 1:16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Merriam-Webster’s holy:
1 a : set apart and dedicated to the service or worship of God or a god : HALLOWED, SACRED <holy vessels> <the holy priesthood>
WHERE IS THE CHURCH?
The true church gathers in homes.
The true church can gather anywhere, where two or more are gathered in His name.
Matthew 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Romans 16:5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
1 Corinthians 16:19¶The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
Colossians 4:15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
Philemon 1:2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
CAN A TRUE BELIEVER RIGHTFULLY CHOOSE ANY CHURCH?
Can a believer go out into the world and choose any religion or any church and join themselves to that group? The answer is NO. This is also for the same reason that no one can put together and start a church, which is of God. If a man were to put a church together, who’s is it? His. Jesus put together one church and one church only, which is His church. Sometimes it was referred to as the church in a certain area, but it was only one church in this whole, wide, world. There are many counterfeits out there to choose from, which by their very nature is to be a look-alike church with the very intent to deceive “the many” who seek salvation.
2 Corinthians 11:1¶Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3But I fear, lest by any means,as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,so your minds should be corrupted from thesimplicity that is in Christ. 4For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Merriam-Webster’s bear:
4 : THRUST, DRIVE, PRESS : impel with force <the defenders being borne backward> <a canoe borne down the rapids>
intransitive verb
1 a : to force one's way : make way against resistance : PRESS <bear back that the prince may pass>
So, if anyone preaches another Jesus, gives you another spirit, or another gospel then you are to bear up against them with the truth and not to endure what they say as in a more common meaning for the word bear.
They are subtle, these religious institutions and the scholars of today, and use a look-alike gospel, with a look-alike spirit and having a look-alike Jesus, in a look-alike church. If what they taught was so obviously wrong that any one could see their ways lead down into eternal damnation, then the many would not be deceived and there would be many saved, but the Bible says few are saved:
Matthew 7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Galatians 1:6¶I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:6-9 shows the perversion of the true gospel into other gospels or look-alike gospels, the gospels and doctrines of today. Again, Satan has tried to take the only truth away that we may know and rightly divide the one and only way unto salvation and this is through the many perverted Bibles out there. Satan has truly stolen the truth away so that “the many” cannot see that he offers another way, another gospel, another spirit, another Jesus, and another church. You see these people truly believe they are saved or they would not be standing before the Lord saying: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”
Is this not the same type of “churches” or religious institutions we have today?
Matthew 15:1¶Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Do we not make the gospel of none effect through our traditions such as Christmas, which is the Mass of Christ and is Catholic or how about Easter, which used to be spelled Ishtar and has always been pronounced Ester and is in fact goddess worship from the days of Nimrod & Semiramis (Semiramis is known by MANY other names, as is Nimrod, and who’s symbol is the crescent moon. Nimrod & Semiramis together, are symbolized by the crescent moon with the five pointed stars representing the: god & goddess.) who first started the mystery religions?
Mark 7:13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
There is only one church and it is not a denomination or a religion, as we commonly understand them to be. If we, the true believers, are to wear a classification of what we are, in parallel to denominations, we are called saints.