We look around and what do we see? Churches are everywhere. So many different
churches, all teaching different doctrines, all having different names, all
trying to serve one God. Why? Why do some churches teach salvation by grace
only? Why do some teach salvation by faith only and others teach salvation by
works? How can we teach so many different ways of salvation, and yet say we
are all united in Christ?
I believe one reason for so many churches is because people are ignorant of
God's word. In Matthew 22.29, Jesus answered a question by saying to the
people, You are wrong because you do not know the scriptures or the power of
God. People are taught so many different things and they believe them because
they do not know the Bible and what the Bible teaches. Even the Apostle Paul
said that his life of sin before he became a Christian was done in ignorance
and unbelief. (1 Timothy 1.13.) Ignorance is no excuse; God holds us
responsible to know the truth. Jesus said You shall know the truth and the
truth shall make you free. (John 8.32.) By knowing the truth, we can obey the
truth. When we do not know what the Bible teaches, we can be led away into
many false teachings.
Another reason there are so many churches is that there are people who do not
teach God's word properly. The Bible warns us so many times of false teachers
who would lead us into sin. (Matthew 24.24, 2 Thessalonians 2.9-12, 1 Timothy
4.1-3 and many other scriptures.) The Bible also warns us to handle the word of
God carefully. 2 Timothy 2.15 says we are to: handle properly the word of God.
This means it can be used in a wrong way if we are not careful. If a man tells
you he is a driver and you let him drive your car, you will be in trouble if he
does not drive properly. He can spoil your car and maybe kill you!
The number one reason there are so many churches is because people do not
respect God's word. We respect the president, the chief, our fathers, but when
God speaks, we don't listen! So many people ignore what God says and believe
what they want to believe. But listen! The Bible says we are cursed if we add
to God's word, take something away or change it in any way. (Revelation
22.18-19, Deuteronomy 4.2, 2 John 9.) Jesus said, In vain do they worship me who
teach doctrines of men. (Mark 7.7.) The New Testament exhorts us to be diligent
in trying to understand the truth that was delivered through Christ. (Jude 3.)
My friends, there are so many churches in the world, but God is not happy.
These churches come from ignorance, false teaching, pride and other worldly
reasons. Jesus prayed that all His disciples would be united even as God is
one. (John 17.20-21.) The Bible teaches that Christ has only one body,
(Ephesians 4.4,) which is the church. (Ephesians 1.22-23.) God has only one
church. But the world is full of so many churches, and God is not happy.
What can we do? We must try to be the church we read about in the New
Testament and that is all.
If you are a seeker of truth, we invite you to consider a certain group of
people. We are trying to be Christians only. We want to follow the Bible and
only the Bible. We have no earthly headquarters, no regional offices, no
councils or ruling bodies. We worship in simplicity only as directed by the
New Testament of Jesus Christ. We teach only what the Bible says about
salvation and faith. We encourage our individual members to live a devoted
Christian life in the liberty of Faith, serving the Lord daily and joyfully.
We are united in Christ by a common faith.
If you want to know more about us, read the New Testament and see what God's
people should be. Look at us and study with us. Help us as we strive to
restore New Testament Christianity. Denominationalism (so many churches) has
caused the world to lose faith in Christ. We want to be God's people only and
put away the teachings of men. Let God receive the glory, not man. Let God
direct our faith, not man. Jesus said, I will build MY church. (Matthew
16.18.) We must strive to be that church just like in the New Testament. If
Jesus built His church (and surely He did), we should try to be that one church
by following His word. We know there is no salvation outside of Christ.
(Ephesians 5.23, 2 Timothy 2.10.) Therefore, we must strive to be in Christ and
be His people.
Why not come and let us reason together? (Isaiah 1.18.) Are you interested in
the New Testament way? Are you interested in pure, simple Christianity? I
hope so. Please contact us. You will find us called the "churches of
Christ" because that is what we are trying to be - the church of Christ.
Come, join with us as we strive to restore New Testament Christianity!