Listen to a favorite TV evangelist, a Lord's-Day-morning radio program, or read the yellow pages. The words "attend the church of your choice" are a popular refrain among our friends in the religious world. If this concept--one church is just as good as any other-- is indeed true, it doesn't matter which church I attend or of which church I am a member. What does the scripture say about this type of thinking?
Who founded the church? "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." {Matthew 16:18} The Lord promised His disciples He would build His church--singular. It was not to be built by a man or by any group of men. Paul agreed with the Lord's promise. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." {1 Corinthians 11:3} How many foundations did he promise to lay? Does the religious world indict our Lord as the founder of all churches that exist today? Would this not make Him an author of confusion--the scriptures plainly deny this (1 Corinthians 14:33). Would just any founder do? Not according to the Lord. "...Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted." {Matthew 15:13}
What was the purchase price paid for the Lord's church? "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." {Acts 20:28} Yes, when Jesus hung on the cross, and the soldier thrust the spear into His side, out flowed blood, mingled with water. This blood provided man's redemption and paid the purchase price for His church (John 19:34). It was precious blood, without spot or blemish (1 Peter 1:18,19). Who would be so bold as to suggest that any other person's blood could compare to the priceless blood of Jesus Christ? Can any other blood cleanse us from sin's condemnation? If so, the death of Jesus was unnecessary. I can't believe that!
Who is head of the Lord's church? "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." {Ephesians 1:22,23} According to the scriptures, the Lord's church has only ONE head--the Lord Himself! By the way, if the church has only one head, how many bodies are there? Please read Ephesians 4:4-6. Do we really believe that Christ heads churches that men started? Who started the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Baptist Church, the church of the Latter Day Saints, the Jehovah's Witnesses? A person who takes an honest look at all the churches mentioned finds one common thread --each was started by men and in a place other than Jerusalem! Is the Lord the head of these churches? To ask the question is to answer it!
Is one kind of worship just as good as any other? "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." {John 4:24} Can you tell me why a Methodist is not a Baptist, why a Jehovah's Witness is not a Mormon, or why a Catholic is not a Christian? One reason is that each worships differently! Members are attracted through their preferences for certain types of worship. One likes more feeling; another likes pomp and ceremony; and another likes more entertainment; some want little responsibility. To learn what the Lord said about vain worship, read Matthew 15:8,9.
Instead of attending the church of your choice, or the church of my choice, each must attend the CHURCH OF GOD'S CHOICE! God gave His Son to die for and establish this blood-bought institution. He died for HIS church--not for just any church!