Examining Churches and Religions
Part 9
By Allan E. McNabb

As we complete this series of articles, we briefly review the fifteen questions set forth to examine churches and religions.

Does the church believe Jesus is the divine Son of God?
By testing a religion as to whether it believes Jesus is the divine Son of God, we can eliminate all world religions but Christianity.  If a religion is not “Christian”, it can’t be the Lord’s church since it rejects Christ.

Does the church believe Jesus is the only way to God?
As Christians, we confess that Jesus is the only way to God.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me’” (Jn. 14:6).

We must obey Jesus to be saved (Heb. 5:9).  If we don’t, we’re eternally lost in our sins.

Does the church teach anything different from the doctrine of Christ?
Most churches claiming to be Christian teach things that are different from the doctrine of Christ.

People following false religious doctrines are lost in sin.
“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4).

If a church is teaching a false religious doctrine, it can’t be the Lord’s church.

Is the church a denomination?
A church can be a denomination by using a name that’s not authorized in Scripture, and by having an organization that’s not authorized in Scripture.

The Lord’s church is not a denomination.  It’s name and organization are from God.

Is the church organized as authorized in God’s word?
Congregations of the Lord’s church are organized with qualified elders and deacons, along with evangelists, and Jesus as its head (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:22-24; 1 Tim. 3:1-13).  In the event that the congregation doesn’t have qualified men to serve as elders and deacons, the men of the congregation lead (Acts 14:21-23; 1 Cor. 14:34-35).

Does the church wear a name authorized in God’s word?
Since Jesus is the head of the church, and we are subject to Him in everything, we must wear a name He has authorized (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:22-24; Col. 3:17).

A church that’s not wearing a name authorized in God’s word isn’t the Lord’s church.  Therefore, denominations (churches wearing names not authorized by God) are not the Lord’s church.

Does the church exclusively teach and practice salvation as God commands?
Few churches teach and practice salvation as commanded in God’s word.

In the Bible, every person obeying the gospel and becoming a Christian was baptized to be saved.

If a church sprinkles or pours rather than baptizing (immersing), it’s not the Lord’s church.  And if a church doesn’t baptize in order to be saved (1 Pet. 3:21), it’s not the Lord’s church.

Does the church take up a collection and observe the Lord’s Supper exclusively on Sunday?
In the Lord’s church, we partake of the Lord’s Supper and take up a collection every Sunday.  We don’t observe the Lord’s Supper or take up a collection at other times, other than when we assembly on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2).

If a church doesn’t take up a collection and observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday, it’s not the Lord’s church.  And if a church takes up a collection or observes the Lord’s Supper any other day, or in any other assembly other than the first day of the week assembly of the saints, it’s not the Lord’s church.

Does the church observe the Lord’s Supper as God commands?
Some churches observe the Lord’s Supper as a celebration or a sign, which is not authorized in the Scriptures.  And some churches also encourage children who are not Christians to partake of the Lord’s Supper, for which there is no authority.  Some churches have different methods of partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

Examining a church’s practice regarding the Lord’s Supper, to see whether it observes the supper as God commands, helps us identify whether the church is of man or of the Lord.

Does the church finance its work exclusively through the collection on Sunday?
As mentioned above, most churches take up collections on various days of the week, for which they have no authority.  Besides this, many churches finance their work through all types of fund-raising efforts.

The Lord’s church is different.  Governed by Christ’s law, we raise funds for the church by no other means than the collection on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 9:21; 16:2).

Does the church only spend money from the treasury for work God has authorized?

The Lord’s church is bound by the law of Christ to use funds collected as God authorizes (Col. 3:17).

If a church is spending money from its treasury for work God has not authorized, it isn’t the Lord’s church.  It’s doing the work of man, rather than the work of God.

Does the church sing as God commands?
Man-made instruments in worship were authorized by the Mosaic Law and the Prophets (2 Ch. 29:25f).  But God changed the law, and we live under the law of Christ today (Heb. 7:12-14; 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2; Heb. 5:9; 2 Jn. 1:9).

Today, we are commanded to sing, accompanied with our hearts.  Therefore, no other type of music is authorized (Eph. 5:18-20; Col. 3:16-17).

Does the church use titles for people in leadership positions?
In the Lord’s church, through, we don’t use titles in regard to men, because they’re not authorized in God’s word (Col. 3:17).
When we use “brother” and “sister” to refer to one another, we don’t use the terms as formal titles as they’re used by some churches (1 Cor. 16:12; 2 Jn. 1:13).

Do women teach or exercise authority over men in the church?
Women have an important role in the church (Tit. 2:3-5; 1 Pet. 3:1-6).  A woman who is fulfilling her God-given role in the church glorifies God, and is more precious than material wealth (Pr. 31:10-31).

But, women are not permitted to teach or have authority over a man (1 Tim. 2:12; 1 Cor. 14:34-35).

Does the church sponsor social fellowship and recreation?
Today, churches build and maintain swimming pools, campgrounds, family life centers, gymnasiums, kitchens, and fellowship halls to entertain members.

The Lord’s church is not for recreation, and certainly not for lascivious behavior.  There is no authority from Christ, the head of the church, for church-sponsored recreation.  As a matter of fact, recreation and social fellowship is a work God has given to individual Christians, not the church (Acts 2:46-47; 1 Cor. 11:20-22; 1 Pet. 4:9).

Does the church approve of immoral behavior?
As society’s view of morality has changed over the last fifty years or so, churches have changed their theology to align with the world.  Many of them approve of fornication, adultery, and homosexuality.

Jesus says we’ll know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16).  A church condoning or winking at immorality is not the Lord’s church.

Summary
In the end, only the Lord’s church passes the test.  It’s the only church you can be a member of, and be saved from your sins (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23).

How do you become a member of this church?  You must obey Jesus, and the Lord will add you to His church (Heb. 5:9; Acts 2:38, 40-41, 47).