The One True different doctrine (Romans 16:16-17).

Only One Church

Church
from the dead; that in all things he might
Jesus promised: “Upon this rock I will build have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).
My church” (Matthew 16:18). He did not We do not read in the Bible of any human
There are many different promise to build many denominations. He head of the church. There is no preacher,
denominations (man-made churches)! promised to build His church! He died for pastor, priest, pope, president, patriarch,
All have different founders. All began at His church (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25). board, or committee over the one true
different times and places. Each wears No where does the Bible say Jesus built a church. Christ is its only head! The
a name different from the others. Each denomination! Nor does the Bible teach headquarters of the one true church is in
worships in its own way. Denominations Jesus died for any church established by Heaven where Jesus Christ, the head, is
differ from one another in organization. man! He died for only one church, the one (Acts 2:33-36).
They teach different doctrines. They He bought with His own blood.
teach different ways to be saved. Congregations Are Independent
The church is the body of Christ
While there is one body, the Christians
It is strange that those who claim (Ephesians 1:22-23). There is one body
in each area meet together to worship.
to believe the Bible will accept such (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore, there is but one
Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome:
confusion. Millions never question it. church! Jesus is the Saviour of His body
“The churches of Christ greet you”
Others excuse it saying: “We are all going (Ephesians 5:25). If we want to be saved, we
(Romans 16:16). He was not speaking
to Heaven. We are just going by different must be in His body. We cannot be saved in a
of different denominations, but of the
roads.” Some say: “One church is as good man-made church!
assemblies of Christians in each area.
as another.” Still others tell us to “Join the The Church Began in Jerusalem in These together make up the body of
church of your choice.”
AD 33 Christ. Paul addressed the saints in
Does God have a choice? Is there a Jesus promised to build His church Corinth as “the church of God which is at
church revealed in the Bible? If Jesus (Matthew 16:18). The prophets foretold the Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2). He asked
established a church, should not we be in church would be built in “the last days” in the elders of the church at Ephesus to
it instead of one started by a man? What Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3; Joel 2:28-32). Jesus meet with him in Miletus (Acts 20:17).
does the Bible say? told His apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the He spoke of “the churches of Galatia”
Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8). The Spirit came meaning the assemblies of Christians in
The Bible Condemns Division each city of Galatia (Galatians 1:2).
upon them on the day of Pentecost (Acts
Jesus prayed that all who believe in
2:1-13). Peter said this was the fulfillment of Except for Christ who rules from
Him would be one ( John 17:20-23). Paul
Joel’s prophecy (Acts 2:16-21). He preached Heaven, there is no central organization
rebuked the church at Corinth for being
the Gospel to the people. When they heard, of the one, true church. Each
divided: “Now I beseech you, brethren,
believed, repented and were baptized, they congregation is self-governing and
through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
were added by the Lord to His church (Acts independent of all the others. Each has
that ye all speak the same thing and that
2:22-47). All today who obey the same its own elders who are also called bishops
there be no divisions among you; but that
Gospel in the same way are added by the (overseers) and pastors (shepherds). The
ye be perfected together in the same mind
same Lord to the same church! church at Antioch sent a contribution
and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians
1:10). Christians are commanded to mark Jesus Is the Head to the elders of the church in Jerusalem
those who cause division by teaching a (Acts 11:29-30). Paul and Barnabas
 “appointed them elders in every church” been born again into His family ( John 3:3-
the elders
(Acts of the
14:23). Paulchurch
calledinthe
Jerusalem
elders of (Acts Jesus
5; (Acts
1 John 6:1).
3:1). They are they
Sometimes “saints”
calledare called  
11:29,30).
the churchPaul and Barnabas
at Ephesus “appointed
(Acts 20:17). because they
“believers” are setthey
because apart from
trust in the world
Jesus (1
Christ
elders
He wrotein every
to thechurch”
saints in(Acts
Philippi14:23).
“with Paul Corinthians
to save them 1:2;
(ActsPhilippians
5:14; John1:1). They
8:24). Theyare
called the elders
the bishops of the church
and deacons” at Ephesus
(Philippians called
are “children
“members” of God”
because because
of their they have
relationship
(Acts 20:17).are
1:1). Elders Heonlywroteover
to the
thesaints
local in beenone
with bornanother
again into
in theHisbody
family (John 3:3-5;
(1 Corinthians
Philippi “with of
congregation thewhich
bishopstheyandaredeacons”
members 1 John Members
12:27). 3:1). Sometimes they areofcalled
of the church the
(Philippians
(1 Peter 5:1-2). 1:1). Elders are only over the “believers”
Bible are alsobecause they trust in Isaiah
called “Christians.” Jesus the
local congregation of which they are Christ toforetold
prophet save themGod (Acts
would 5:14;
giveJohn
this8:24).
new
There(1IsPeter
members a Pattern
5:1,2). of Worship They to
name “members”
areHis because
people (Isaiah of Acts
62:2; their 11:26;
The church in the Bible met on the first relationship
26:28; 1 Peterwith one another in the body (1
4:16).
day ofThere
the week is a(Acts
Pattern20:7;
of 1Worship
Corinthians Corinthians 12:27). Members of the church
16:1-2). They worshipped in “spirit and Entering
of the Bible arethe
alsoOnecalledTrue Church
“Christians.”
in truth”
The church ( John
in the 4:24).
BibleThey
met ate the first
on the Lord’s day One the
Isaiah enters the one
prophet true church
foretold God would by obeying
give
supper
of (Matthew
the week 26:26-29;
(Acts 20:7; Acts 20:7; 1
1 Corinthians the
thisGospel
new name(Romans
to His6:16-18; 1 Peter62:2;
people (Isaiah 1:22-
Corinthians
16:1,2). They11:23-26).
worshipped They sang praises
in “spirit and in 23).
ActsThis obedience
11:26; 26:28; 1includes hearing the
Peter 4:16).
to God(John
truth” without 4:24).theThey
aid ofate
man-made
the Lord’s Word of God (Romans 10:17), believing
musical(Matthew
supper instruments (Ephesians
26:26-29; 5:19;1
Acts 20:7; in Jesus Christ asthe
Entering theOneSonTrueof God (Mark
Church
Colossians 3:16;
Corinthians Hebrews
11:23-26). They13:15). They to
sang praises 16:16), repenting of one’s sins (Acts 2:38),
offered
God up prayers
without the aidtoofGod throughmusical
man-made Jesus confessing
One entersJesus
the oneChrist
true ischurch
the Sonby of God
obeying
instruments
Christ (1 Timothy(Ephesians 5:19;
2:1-8). TheyColossians
heard the the Gospel
(Acts 8:37),(Romans
and being6:16-18;
buried in 1 Peter
baptism
3:16; Hebrews
preaching 13:15).
of God’s WordThey offered
(Acts 2:42; up20:7 1:22,23).
for This obedience
the remission includes 6:3-4;
of sins (Romans hearing
prayers
; Matthew to God through
28:20). TheyJesus
gave Christ
as God(1had the Word3:26-27).
Galatians of God (Romans
When one 10:17),
obeysbelieving
these
Timothy
prospered 2:1-8).
themThey heard the preaching
(1 Corinthians 16:1-2). of in Jesus Christ
commands, theas the adds
Lord Son of God
him to (Mark
His church
God’s Word (Acts 2:42; 20:7 ; Matthew 16:16),
(Acts repenting
2:47; of one’s12:13).
1 Corinthians sins (Acts 2:38),
Names
28:20). They of gave theas Church and Its
God had prospered confessing Jesus Christ is the Son of God
Members Denominations have no right to exist.
them (1 Corinthians 16:1,2). (Acts 8:37), and being buried in baptism for
They will be destroyed by the Lord at His
Denominations often wear the names the remission of sins (Romans 6:3,4;
coming (Matthew 15:13). Only the church
of their founders. Sometimes they wear Galatians 3:26,27). When one obeys these
established by Jesus Christ will be saved
Names
the nameofofthe Church Others
a doctrine. and itswearMembers the commands, the Lord adds him to His church
(Ephesians 5:23-27). Do not risk your
name of the place where they began. (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
salvation in a man-made church. Obey the
Denominations
The church in the often wear
Bible the names
honors God by of
Gospel and the Lord will add you to His
their founders.
its name. Sometimes
It is called they wear
“the church of God”the Denominations have no right to exist. They
church!
will be destroyed by the Lord at His coming
name of a doctrine.
(1 Corinthians 1:2)Others
and “the wear the name
church of of
the place(Matthew
Christ” where they began.
16:18; The church
Romans 16:16). in (Matthew 15:13). Only the church
the Bible honors
Members are calledGod“disciples”
by its name. It is
because establishedTruth
by JesusFor
ChristThe World
will be saved
called “the
they are churchofofJesus
learners God” (1 Corinthians
(Acts 6:1). (Ephesians 5:23-27). Do not risk your
truthfortheworld.org P.O. Box 5048
1:2)
Theyandare“the
called church of because
“saints” Christ” (Matthew
they are salvation in a man-made church.
info@tftw.org
Obey
Duluth, the
GA 30096
16:18; Romans
set apart from the 16:16).
worldMembers are called
(1 Corinthians Gospel and the Lord will add youU.S.A.
to His
“disciples”
1:2; Philippiansbecause they
1:1). areare
They learners
calledof church!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons
“children of God” because they have Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Truth For The World - P. O. Box 5048 - Duluth, GA 30096 - www.truthfortheworld.org