Which one is the True Church?
Many organisations claims to be "the true church". They claim that they are the only real one that is mentioned in the Scriptures. They give various arguments to support this claim. But, let us look if any one of such organisations have any real base to call it "the true church"?
This is resulting from many human doctrines that prevails in such organisations. I call it an organisation because Christ's Church is "the body of Christ". Our body is the temple of God. And the Church is the collection of "all believers in Christ". No human has any right to add or expel anyone form this "body of Christ". It is in the sole authority of the Lord. In short, the true church is the body of Christ which is the collection of all believers! It is not an organisation but an organism.
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41-47)
When we trust in the Lord we're sealed with the Holy Spirit as our insurance! 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Eph 1:13-14) We see that this is for the glory of God. He further distributes His gift about the Body as per the need 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (Eph 4:12-13) 1Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. (Gal 4:1-2)
19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (Rom 8:19-22)
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?... But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. ... Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Cori 6:15, 17, 19) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Cori 3:16)
Conclusion :
To summarise, sadly, there is no true or "perfect church" on this earth. But all believers are part of the "Body of Christ" which will be made perfect in the appointed time by the Father (on Christ's return).
(To be continued...)
Further References :
- Houses that change the world by Wolfang Simson. ISBN: 1-85078-356-x
- Renegotiating the Church Contract by James Thwaites. ISBN: 1-84227-098-2
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