Find the Local Church of Christ

Introduction: in 2002 my family and I moved into a new area, and looked for a local Body of believers to fellowship with. I found an Internet church guide to the specific suburb we lived in, about 60-70 churches total, some denominational, some non. I chose Ten Questions about the doctrines I was looking for in a fellowship of believers. I found email addresses for the pastors or the main church on each website, and emailed it to them as 'I am looking for the local Church of Christ'. I sent out approximately 50 emails and received about 25 Pastoral Responses, some of which are posted here. As a believer in Christ, as a husband and father and as one who will stand before God and give account as to whether I washed my wife in the Word of God or taught my children the Lordship of Christ, it is my responsibility to make sure that those who teach my family are sound in doctrine and mind.

The purpose of this article is not to draw people away from Christ, but to invoke them to step away from the leaven of the Pharisees and encourage them towards a passion for God and His Word. I do not find joy nor any type of comfort in pointing out the degradation of the church here in America. Often, I have felt tearful and in anguish over the current condition the 'church'. I bear witness that I am not the only brother who sees these things, that feels a Christ-like compassion for the Church, the Bride of Christ, who desires to strengthen the Church through the Word of God. Many do this today and have done so throughout the Church's history and been persecuted even unto death for their passion; yet, they followed their Lord out of reverent obedience. May the Lord give us His strength for the times ahead.

The term 'the Church', capitalized, is THE Church, or the Body of Christ. It appears that The Church is scattered abroad, but is doing the will of the Father. The 'modern-day church', however, is what is located, in most occasions, on the corner of every city block across America, 300 feet away from a liquor store. The ‘modern-day church’ is a term for what the Bible refers to as ‘the false brethren’, or 'false church', those who strive to ensnare the children of God into bondage. (Gal. 2:4)

It would be ignorant and presumptuous of me to simply rule that the church on the street corner IS the modern-day church, or that we should have nothing to do with them by a mere outward appearance. We know that everything must to be tested by and through the Holy Scriptures; once the church in question is tested by the Scriptures, you can make an informed judgment as to whether or not it is part of the modern-day church.

"But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Then understood they that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Matthew 16:11-12

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. " Matthew 7:15-20

I find it interesting that the modern-day church generally sticks to sound terminology, unlike the cults that basically unravel when it comes to doctrinal truth, such as Jesus being God or that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Generally the cults and occult are open and passionate about their false teaching once you corner them with the Holy doctrine of God. The modern-day church, on the other hand, is much more sinister in it’s attempt to deceive. The closer the false church can get to the truth, without actually telling the truth, the more deceptive it is.

For example, if I ask the cults Question #1: "Do you teach and preach from the Bible?", both of the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons would initially say "YES!" However, when cornered after some debate, the Mormons will refer to their Book of Mormon as their 'bible', and the JWs will look at all issues of 'the Watchtower' as their source of absolute doctrine

But the modern-day church is not be so easily detected by a simple response. They would respond correctly to this question; they would say 'Absolutely!'. In most cases, there is no good fruit to back up this answer, however, it's just a simple, normal reply to stay in the standard of Christendom.

Let me explain: there are certain portions of the Bible that the modern-day church cuts out, so to speak, of their doctrine; here is an example:

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Mtt. 22:36-39

Jesus uses the term 'love' here not as a vague definition but as a specific command to love completely; heart, soul and mind encompasses every part of you, to be committed to Christ as Lord, as Master and we as mere servants of the Master.

The modern-day church has a very vague, non-specific and human-relationship meaning of love, and we all know that human relationships are easily broken. The modern-day church will refer to love and how much they love to infinitum, but they miss the depth and richness of Love purposely, to taint the power of what Love really is. For, the ultimate demonstration and definition of Love was portrayed on the Cross, when Christ sacrificed Himself for the atonement of all our sins.

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

This second command the modern-day church ignores in several ways, but one in particular stands out to me as flagrant:

90% of the modern-day church's budget is spent on buildings and salaries, while a majority of the world has not heard the gospel and a third of the world is slowly starving to death or is in grave poverty. Even in our own nation of America, the widows and the fatherless are not reached out to by the modern-day church.

This is quite opposite of how Christ lived, whom is our example; he had no place on earth to call home, and he comforted the poor, meeting physical needs and spiritual. In His three years of ministry, having none of the modern-day church’s material possessions, He was still somehow able to demonstrate Love, and in the ultimate way.

Question #2: "Do you believe that Jesus is Lord?"

The cults deny that Jesus is Lord, according to Biblical terminology.

The modern-day church refers to Jesus as being Lord, but in their actions and in various teachings also deny that He is Lord. The modern-day church has re-packaged and re-defined the Lordship of Christ into simple belief, which is really non-belief but is just affirmation, signing of contracts, verbal agreements, cheap promises and vague demonstrations of 'love'. All this is to magnify their own profits and numbers. The math is simple, you take out the lordship and obedience to Christ and your church buildings suddenly fill up, tithes pour in; the pastoral staff can publicly announce new converts and claim stake in ministries they don't even labor in.

But, the Lordship of Christ, requires much more than this:

"20. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." Mth. 5:20

This righteousness is not an external righteousness, but is one of the heart; it is a gift from God, impossible for human beings to have apart from Him.

The modern-day church is most adequately described by this verse:

"For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

3. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." (Rom. 10:3&4)

The modern-day church may do many works, which the moral attributes of such may be good, but this accolade can also be wrung out upon the cults whose 'moralism' far outweighs the modern-day church's. This is an attempt at external righteousness, or 'good works' but falls short and misses the mark of what God demands in the verses above: internal righteousness. The modern-day church loves 'outward circumcision', but will not stand for the circumcision of the heart.

"circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. " Rom. 2:29

"Circumcision is nothing and un-circumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts." 1 Cor. 7:19

The term 'Jesus is Lord', refers to Lordship, or 'is the Lord over', as in obeying the commandments of your Lord. In the 16th century, a servant would not dare to go to the King of the land, his Lord, and not do what he was told to do. Such an action would have cost him his life.

"And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. 4. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. 6. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." (1 John 2:3-6)

Question #3: Do you currently have a men's Bible study that meets on a weekly basis?

We see in Jesus' ministry, his love for the brethren. I find it more than interesting and sad that the modern-day church has pretended to be brethren, and yet the very foundation of the church is centered around the men gathering together in the Word. The modern-day church has set up all kinds of ministries and activities, but has neglected the men meeting together in the Word on a regular basis.

Jesus did not gather around him twelve women to be his disciples. Jesus spent time with his brethren, eating with them, teaching them; women may have been present, but His disciples were the authority of His Body. It was through a man that sin passed into the world, and it was through one man, that was also God, that all men's sin became void. Christ himself came as a man, and the precepts of the Scriptures were written down by men, through the power of God. The church was founded by men, through Christ and was ruled over by men, through Christ. I do not mean to negate the importance of men and women meeting together to learn the Scriptures, I am simply pointing out what is most important.

I also find it interesting that when a simple question is asked: ‘do you have a men's group that meets regularly?’ The modern-day church's response is 'no' or 'not yet'.

The question back to that response is: By what authority does the modern-day church meet together against the pattern and precepts laid down by God in the Holy Scriptures?

The answer is: by no authority. The very lack of men meeting together shows a lack of leadership after the pattern Christ set down, and that the authority has been passed over to the women.

"12. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them." Isaiah 3:12

This lack of men meeting together also shows a lack of Love, and disobedience to the Scriptures, which is the fruit of the modern day church.

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 11. For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another: 12. not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." (1 John 3:10-19)

This love is not only to meet the physical needs of men and their families but is spiritual as men being the head of their homes. The very fact that the brethren don't meet together is a sure sign that there is no witness or testimony of God's love in the congregation.

"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:21)

You may ask,' well what is unity of the brethren'? It is Spiritual unity:

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Psalms 133:1

The true test of the fellowship of a congregation is, do they obey the command of Love? Jesus defined Love:

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. ", John 14:15

"23. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." 1 John 3:23

The modern day church lacks the substance of sound doctrine and thus lacks immunity to the diseases of false doctrine. As the Scripture says:

"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

6. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. " 1 timothy 1:5-6

The modern-day church communicates in religious voracity and continually gossips and tears down the Church, the elect; the modern-day church is a continual offence against the Gospel of Christ being preached by besmirching a brother's character or merely creating lies off partial

truths or fully fabricating in order to stop the gospel of Christ from going forth. Such terms as 'bible beating' or 'being preachy' or 'bible bashing', 'too heavenly minded and no earthly good' , 'you're judgmental', 'you need to love more' are pet phrases that the modern-day church uses against true believers, to condemn and un-righteously judge; these phrases are most often are not in Scripture at all, but are used as Scripture to convey some self-righteous point. There are also those in the modern-day church who will use pieces and portions of Scripture with reckless abandon, out of context, to justify or condemn others.

This is all an attempt by the false church to break the unity and fellowship in Christ that we so deeply desire as The Church.

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

20. by the way which He dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;

21. and having a great priest over the house of God;

22. let us draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our body washed with pure water,

23. let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for He is faithful that promised:

24. and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works;

25. not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh." Hebrews

The modern-day church generally meets together on Saturday or Sunday in a religious, outward appearance, but neglects to have the brethren meet together, thus annulling this commandment: "... not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another...."

" He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.

10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

11. But he that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes." 1 John 2:9-11

The modern-day church hates Christ and His Church, His bride.

Question: #4, 5, 6, 7 - The ‘preach the gospel’ questions:

Do you preach the gospel publicly, regularly?

The answer to this from the cults is a resounding ‘YES’, for their ‘salvation’ rests in how many converts they can claim, or how many miles they walked or bicycled in order to win souls.

The modern-day church says, and as one pastor responded so poetically:

"No, it would be a waste of time in this culture, at this time."

The modern-day church considers preaching anywhere but the Sunday pulpit an offense, and the even the idea goes contrary to their corporate image and would eventually risk the tithe intake, which is the ‘holy of holies’ of the modern-day church. However, there are a few exceptions; sometimes the modern-day church will send their youth groups out in an aggressive campaign to advertise the modern-day church.

The modern-day church is very like Demetrius the Silversmith, who realized that his craft of making idols was jeopardized by Paul the Apostle’s preaching:

"For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25. Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

27. So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians." Acts 19:24-28

The false church, through gossip and lies discovers an individual who preaches the gospel and threatens their control and wealth; they become wrathful and incite confusion among their own members and encourage actions against the those who preach and teach from the Word of God, sometimes under guise of prayer.

Three things which the modern day church holds dear were effected by Paul preaching the gospel: one was the wealth, one was idols made with hands and one was the temple; these things go hand in hand. The modern-day church takes their terminology out of the Scriptures and tries to make them fit into these three things.

The temple is an equivalent to the modern day church’s buildings and material property; this building or place of worship becomes so important that all is sacrificed to obtain and maintain it. It becomes an idol made with hands. The craft spoken of is the religious deception which produces their income or wealth; and like the workmen in these Scriptures, the modern-day church, because the headship of Godly men and husbands have been removed, they all unify around feminism, described in the Scriptures as the goddess diana, who coincidentally is the goddess of the hunt.

The Gospel speaks the Truth of the Word, which drives out this deception and confusion, and the gospel does not build a home on this earth but speaks of Heaven and the riches and rewards of faithful servitude that await His children after this life is over.

The modern-day church continually takes their talents and buries them into the things of this earth, for their own glory.

The Gospel of Christ takes the fruit and multiplies it for the Kingdom, for the glory of God.

The modern-day church speaks of human wisdom, human ideas and human ways to solve things. "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect" 1 Corinthians 1:17

The Gospel preaches "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 1 Corinthians 1:18&19

"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Cor. 1:23-25

The modern-day church prides itself in their good looks, education and place of status. The modern-day church continually polishes it’s worship services and masters the art of emotional deceit in it’s sermons, wrapping the meaning around arousal of the five senses.

The Church, the Body of Christ, continually stands as a broken and contrite vessel before the Lord, before the God of Creation, seeking forgiveness and being granted sonship.

"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29. That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31. That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

1 Corinth. 1:26-31

Question #8: Do you preach topically or verse by verse or both?

The modern-day church and the cults tend to merge in this point: they both at times can preach topically and verse by verse, and they both enjoy changing the meaning, adding to or taking away from the text. Although the cults will often refer to books and manuscripts written by their own particular cult, the modern-day church is a little more open-minded in that it looks to psychiatrists, psychologists, authors or marital counselors to interpret the Bible for them. Both cults and modern-day churches use the name of the Scriptures as a continual back-drop for a lot of what they say and do, but used in a poetic sense.

The modern-day church specializes in the art of being able to take from a verse the ‘positive’ aspects and mis-apply them purposefully to gloss over ‘negative’ aspects, excusing themselves. Then, with the same wicked craftiness, the modern-day church takes and applies the 'negative' aspects to the real Church, the elect, accusing them in an attempt to besmirch, bring shame and condemnation on them.

" For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15. since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them." Romans 2:13-15

The most volatile and extreme wickedness is the modern-day church’s ability to move so close to Scriptural truth and yet stay far away from it. It is so close that it is very difficult to tell where good doctrine ends and bad doctrine begins; the modern-day church is gifted in blending the two together to make it all sound just fine, resulting in confusion.

As Dr. Walter Martin so eloquently said: "It’s the skin of the Truth, stuffed with a lie."

In order to determine where the lie begins, it take a lot of study of the Scriptures, hard work and patience to wait for the fruits of bad doctrine to appear. Unlike the cults, where you may be able to determine their bad doctrine within one or two meetings, it may take months or even years to root out the bad doctrines in the modern-day church and the false teachers that lead it.

Question # 9 &10: What passion has God put in your heart for His people:

The modern-day church’s general response to this question is a specific response with a non-specific action.

For example: Jesus spoke of a parable of a man who had two sons;

" What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, `Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'

29. "`I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30. "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, `I will, sir,' but he did not go.

31. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

32. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

The modern-day church responds ‘Yes sir I will do that.", but has no fruit to back up the words. Their passion is wrapped up in their specific answer; they will spout all day about how they love Jesus, but they will not obey His commandments. These are workers of iniquity.

The Church, the Body of Christ’s passion is wrapped up in their actions and obedience to Christ.

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17. In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. 20. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21. Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22. You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." James 2:15-24

This demonstration of faith accompanied by works is the passion that comes only from Christ, for His people; it produced good works in righteousness which leads towards faith in Christ others, who see these works and give glory to Christ.

The modern-day church focuses on faith, without works that it may give glory to itself, which produces a false faith and false converts about whom they so arrogantly boast over their pulpits.

One may ask, well is my church the modern-day church, or the false church, or the church of Laodicea?

My answer to that: God will expose the false church on the day of Judgment, however, the false brethren bear fruits of wickedness and confusion; and by the fruits of these men and women that are false teachers, you will be able to determine who they are.

2 Timothy 3-4:

1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11. Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;"

Ch 4.1-5

"1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." May the Lord give us wisdom and strength as the days wax worse and worse; may we keep a clean conscience and delight in the beautiful mercy of our Lord Jesus.

- Steven

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