A Good Church Must Be Doctrinally Correct

Many people who are looking for a church `home' have the wrong priorities. Some are drawn to a church by the beauty of its buildings. Others are more interested in its size. Still others are attracted by an outstanding musical programme or by the pastor with the most impressive appearance, personality and speaking ability. Some look for a church with a service that appeals to them. Then, too, there are those who are drawn to a church because of denominational loyalty, its location, or the people who attend.

As meaningful as these things may be, however, the most important consideration should be the doctrine of the church. In other words: what does it believe and teach? That is the bottom line. I would rather be in a church that meets in an old broken-down building with no choir, and a stammering preacher who teaches the word of God, than attend a church that is proud of its beautiful buildings, magnificent choir, and an eloquent minister, yet denies or ignores the clear teaching of scripture. What is believed and preached in a church is all important.

The Marks of a False Church

I would warn you, however, that not everyone who calls himself a Christian is genuine. A number of groups have appeared representing themselves as having new, final, religious truth. But they don't. These groups are a distortion of historic Christianity and pose a great threat to all who would place their confidence in them. These groups often attack the church for some failure or error even while they themselves are leading people astray. And unless you are careful and discerning, it is possible for you to be fooled by them. They often use the same terminology that Christians use. They believe in some of the same things. They often meet in church-like buildings and carry Bibles. As a result, they have misled many. Their false teaching has been accepted as truth by their undiscerning followers. That is a tragedy because, contrary to what some may say, what we believe is vitally important ­ as important as our destiny.

Faced as we are with so many different religious opinions and groups, it is essential for us to know how to tell the genuine from the counterfeit. It is helpful, of course, to be knowledgeable about the cults and to be aware of their false and dangerous dogmas. But we should also be so well acquainted with the truth as we find it in God's Word that when we encounter that which is not genuine, we will detect it immediately. We must study the Bible and become so familiar with the real thing that we perceive anything counterfeit at once. Many unsuspecting souls are being led astray because they are not aware of what they are getting into. Let us be so familiar with the real thing that we can detect the counterfeit at a glance. Christian friends, I warn you against those who promote discord and division within the body of Christ. The apostle Paul spoke against false teaching, referring to them as "savage wolves" who rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:29,30).

Salvation is received through faith. And faith must be in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not enough just to believe something. You must believe in a person: Christ Jesus the Lord. Accept what the Bible says about him, that through the shedding of his blood on Calvary's cross and resurrection, he opened the way for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation to God. Receive Jesus

Christ as your saviour. He said: "Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Bro David Yelulani

Bro David Yelulani (Banket, Zimbabwe)