Jared Knoll
On several occasions while attempting to invite others to worship and open a door to teach, I have heard the statement, “I need to get back in church.” Others claim to be looking for a church but not yet settling on one with which they are satisfied. Though we could really analyze these statements and see some problems with them, the sentiment is an important one.
The Bible is clear about the importance of the church. Jesus shed his blood in death to purchase it (Acts 20:28). Salvation is connected to and found within the church (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:24-27). The church will be delivered up to the Father in the great resurrection day (1 Cor. 15:24). Thus everyone should be apart of the church. Yet, how do you “choose the right church.” Among the problems with the aforementioned statements is the idea that the church is like a social club. Because of this idea about the church many look to “choose” a church that will boost their social standing or produce the right social connections. Others are looking for a church that is going to fit their lifestyle, requiring of them no change or commitment at all. The directionality of their search is going in the wrong direction.
We should be concerned with the church of God’s choice. What did He establish? What does He look for? What changes do I need to make to conform to His pattern? We have to know what to look for in the church that Jesus built. Choosing the right church means finding the one that Jesus built. For what then are we looking? What are the characteristics that will reveal it as His?
Among the characteristics for which we should look, we should consider the mode of membership. That is, how do we become part of the church. What are the requirements for membership? In Acts 2 where the church began we read that the first members “gladly received the word” and “were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Verse 47 of that chapter says the “Lord added to the church…” Accepting the word means they had heard the word (Rom. 10:17) and that they believed it with obedience to it (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24). Not only had these heard and believed the gospel, they repented of their sins (Acts 2:38). The word they believed convicted them of sin and they had to turn from that sin and seek the forgiveness of God (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30). The Bible reveals that the belief is also expressed by confessing with the mouth (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9,10). Let us not fail to notice the, twice mentioned, baptism in Acts 2. Verse 38 puts as much importance on baptism as it does on repentance and verse 41 makes baptism as essential as “gladly receiving the word” in being added. Who was added, those that heard, believed, repented, confessed faith and were baptized. The right church will teach and practice these requirements to gain membership because that is what God specified. Do you read about being “voted in” or reciting a “sinners prayer?” God added those that obeyed His requirements. Looking for the right church? Make sure the terms of membership are right with God, follow those terms and then God will add you to His church.
In addition, if you are looking for the right church you need to look for the right worship. The Bible is clear that not all forms of worship are acceptable. Unfortunately, not all are concerned with the right kind of worship but be assured God is concerned with the right kind. Just consider Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-3). Consider the words of Jesus about worthless worship. “In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). Paul also said that some “worship ignorantly” because they do not know who they are worshipping (Acts 17:23). Some have the idea that whatever we do in worship is good because it is directed toward God, but as you see from the aforementioned verses, just because you direct it toward God does not make it acceptable. You must employ the acts of worship He has authorized. He has authorized the communion of the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-29). God has authorized giving in worship (1 Cor. 16:1,2). God has authorized singing in worship (1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Heb. 2:12). God has authorized praying in worship (Acts 2:42) and God has authorized preaching as an act of worship (Acts 20:7; 2:42). Not only has He authorized these acts for worship, He has also instructed us how to carry out these acts of worship. Looking for the right church? Find the one which employs the right worship in object, mode and manner.
Among other characteristics, the right church will have the right organization. First and foremost, Jesus is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:18). He is the authority. The right church does not converge together and determine from year to year what doctrine should be taught and if there should be changes to it because Jesus already ruled on the right doctrine and it remains unchanged. The right church just follows the direction of the head. Being the head, Jesus reigns from heaven. The right church is “headquartered” in heaven because that is where the “head” is. It is not a board of directors working within an earthly headquarters. You will also notice that the right church with headquarters in heaven and Jesus as head exists in individual congregations which are autonomously related to each other (Philp. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-13). Each is governed by a plurality of elders, men qualified to the position (1 Tim. 3:1-8; Titus 1:5-11). These men are called shepherds (pastors). The right church is not governed by an individual “pastor” (preacher) situation but by a plurality of men qualified and appointed to the task which may or may not include the preacher.
Are you looking for the right church? Make sure the organization is correct choosing the right church takes effort on the part of the searcher, but if you will look for the right characteristics you will find the right one. Your concern has to be the characteristics the Lord specified, otherwise you might find a church but it won’t be the right one that will bring you salvation. In addition to the things mentioned you must consider the characteristic of leadership in worship, the doctrine which is preached and practiced, the work of the church and other matters for which space did not allow in this article. May God bless you as you strive to be a part of or find the right church.
