The Right Church

            Someone has wisely said, "Don't attend the church closest to your home but rather attend the church closest to the Bible." The church we choose to attend and to get involved in will greatly affect our Christian growth. Psalm 1 teaches that it is important to be planted but also that we should be planted "by the waters". The Bible also reminds us that the church is the "pillar and ground of the truth". It seems clear that my emphasis, attitude and doctrine as a Christian will be greatly affected by the church that I attend. So, what are some of the basics that I should be looking for in a biblical church?

The Right Church has to be Right on the Scriptures.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

It seems obvious that a Bible church must have a biblical view of the Word of God Itself. The Bible teaches of Itself that it is truly the Word of God and is alive, powerful, and profitable for growth to maturity for the Christian who applies Its teachings to their life. So, we must come to the Bible believing it is the very Word of God in order for It to have its full affect in our lives. To believe the Bible is truly the Word of God, we must believe in both inspiration and preservation of the Holy Scriptures. Surprisingly, in our day, many churches, even those that consider themselves Bible believing, actually think that the Bible has been corrupted over centuries and needs to be rebuilt the best we can in our modern days. Furthermore, they use Bibles that have been constructed using this philosophy. They often say the Bible was inerrant and infallible in its original manuscripts, but do not think God has supernaturally, verbally preserved His word for us today. In the English-speaking world, only those who hold to the King James Bible can actually hold to a position that views the Bible as it is in truth - the Word of God!

The Right Church has to be Right on Salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast

The most important thing the Bible reveals to man is how to be saved. Therefore, it stands to reason, that in order for a church to be the right church, it must be right on salvation. The Bible teaches of salvation, that is freely given by God to anyone who puts their faith and trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for the remission of sins. Bible salvation is by the grace (unmerited acceptance) of God through faith (believe or trust) in the finished work of Christ on Calvary. The Bible does not teach salvation by baptism or church membership, nor does it teach "Lordship Salvation" or any version of works plus faith salvation. Although it is certainly true that after we are saved, we ought to strive to live our life in the service of Christ, the Bible is clear that these efforts are rewardable and not part of the gift of God which is salvation.

The Right Church has to be Right on Separation.

Ephesians 5:8-11

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Although salvation is a gift from God that is given when we place our faith in Christ's atoning death, that does not mean that God does not desire for us to life a consecrated life for Him after we have been saved. Some churches seem to think that the liberty we have because of Christ means that God doesn't care if His people look, talk, and act just like the world. The New Testament is clear that God wants us to be different from the world around us as light is from darkness. God's people should not be following the world's trends, but rather, living by Bible principles of separation. The church service should not look like a worldly entertainment production, and God's people should stand out in word and in deed.

The Right Church has to be Right on Soul-winning.

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

The Bible teaches that every Christian should be actively sharing their faith with those around them. This is not just a command to invite people to church, but to personally care for their eternal soul. Every church should be a Gospel preaching church but should also be training their members to be personal soul-winners and giving them opportunities to go. The right church will have the Great Commission as its heartbeat.