(Many people with inquiring minds—whether agnostic, atheist, infidel, or Christian—have at one time or another asked the above question. Here is our answer.)

JESUS, the perfect Son of God, preached words of life and truth--a flawless message calling for repentance and offering salvation. But those who heard it were imperfect people in an imperfect society. Fighting against the influence of sin in their lives, that fight would become their way of life as they sought to understand and apply the principles which would bring to light the opportunity of a better life. "In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). That light "is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel."—2 Tim. 1:10

Jesus knew that such struggle would make the course of living difficult in the present evil world. He knew that God was intentionally permitting Satan to oppose God's own will (Matt. 13:25). Jesus understood that it was therefore not time to deliver to men a simple, clear declaration of God's entire program or of His timetable for accomplishing what God had set in motion. For this reason Jesus expressed many of His teachings in parables. He thus did not expose truths to the frivolous minded, nor to those who would despise them: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."—Matt. 7:6

God had promised through the prophets that a day would come when He would invite the acceptable, reverent worship of all peoples. "Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people" (Isa. 56:6,7). But some of the early Jewish believers found it difficult to accept Gentile believers into full fellowship as sons of God. Moreover, some brethren even in the time of the apostles thought that they could improve their religious worship by claiming certain teachers as their leaders. "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?" (1 Cor. 3:4,5) These early Christians did not realize the disadvantages of failing to own Christ as the only head of the church.

Creeds, Sects, and Fear

Special emphasis was eventually placed by some segments of the early church upon individual features of God's harmonious purpose. This created distortions in early church teachings. The distortions resulted in more serious error. Those special features of the Master's complete teachings which they chose to emphasize became the principal items of their message. It is easy to see how various groups of believers quickly became sectarian ("Sectarian: narrowly confined, or devoted to a particular sect." "Sect: any group, party, or faction united by a specific doctrine or under a doctrinal leader."--The Random House Dictionary) through the introduction of creeds (Rev. 2:2-16). History shows that rituals, ordinations, and ceremonies were gradually introduced to further impress the importance of their prominent doctrines. And it is natural that such procedures required officiants who were familiar with their conduct and instruction. What soon followed, then, was to be expected: a priesthood, and titles, and temporal support and reverence to human dignitaries.—2 Thess. 2:3-12

These additions to the body of faith brought additional distortion and even the displacement of desirable spiritual fidelity and obedience to God in worship. The pleasure of man is not always the pleasure of God, and obedience to men was bound to result in ignoring commandments of God. And yet, none of the human priests or dignitaries had ever given their lives according to the commandment of God as had His Son, who gave His life "a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."—1 Tim. 2:6

But God's Word survived all these abominations. Where it was fervently examined and its instructions followed, to that extent there was dissent and protest. This often led to division and a new doctrinal emphasis which became the banner of a new Christian sect under its prevailing leader. And in the course of events, succeeding generations engaged in similar processes.

Many religious leaders have through their own imaginations attributed to God a vengeance which He does not possess and will not own. Regarding such tendency the Apostle Paul's counsel is noted: "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). Distorted interpretations of the Bible have nurtured fear regarding the fate of "unsaved" sinners after death. Such lies have increased the "tare" membership in humanly-organized churches. But that was foreseen by our Master as revealed in the parable. "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn...As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 13:30,40-42). The same lies have also inreased the treasuries of churches from the gifts of those who think that through "their" church they have escaped a future of everlasting suffering.

Declining Religious Oppression

What has happened in the past 150 years? The tyranny of the clergy has declined. The fears of church-goers which have plagued believers for hundreds of years have been minimized as false teachings have been exposed as error. All kinds of other oppressions have also dissipated as a worldwide increase of knowledge has shed abroad a new spirit of liberty. But Satan, transforming himself into an angel of light as the Apostle wrote (2 Cor. 11:14), has seized upon this discarding of traditional errors for his own purpose. He has used the disillusionment of mankind over those supposed truths that are now recognized as lies, taking it as an opportunity to spread new lies—these also disguised as truths. The result is the generation and multiplication of entirely new "kinds" of churches. Such proclaim things like:

a) Man has the power within himself to reconcile himself to, and unite with, God

b) There is no death

c) Man is without sin deserving of condemnation

d) Even that which appears to be physical sickness is really only a condition of the mind.

These errors appear in many forms, packaged under philosophical names, and are spread under both local and worldwide instrumentalities. It makes no difference who preach such concepts--they may be found among old-line churches and among "new age" institutions--the result is the same. They render useless the death and resurrection of the Son of God as the basis for atonement and deliverance of the entire human family.

Briefly, then, there have been so many different churches in the world because our wily adversary, the Devil (1 Pet. 5:8), continues to oppose truth and righteousness. And this he does by God's permission. But it will not always be permitted!

What is "the church of Christ"?

The Christian church is a universal institution established by the Lord Jesus Christ on one foundation. That foundation is acknowledging Him as the Christ (i.e., the "Messiah" or "Anointed"), who is the Son of God. When Jesus announced this foundation teaching he said: "Upon this rock [this basic foundation truth] I will build my church." "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."—Matthew 16:16-18

The word "church" is from the Greek word ekklesia. This word accurately shows the relation of the church to the world. It is composed of two words: ek, meaning "out," and a derivative of kaleo, meaning "to call." That church is, therefore, a "called out" company. Its members are being called out from the society of man to stand separate and apart as a peculiar people. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people [a people for God's own possession--NAS]; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:9). The members of the church are invited to follow Jesus both in service and in sacrifice. They are called to self-denial and crossbearing; to be faithful to truth always, even at the cost of their own lives. "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."—Rev. 2:10

The Bible shows abundantly that the only head or authority which the church will recognize is Jesus. It is He whom God raised "from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" (Eph. 1:20-22). "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body" (Eph. 5:23). "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."—Col. 1:18

The real "church" are those who come out from the world. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Cor. 6:17). They participate in the process of regeneraton, "Being born again [having been regenerated--Marshall Interlinear], not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Pet. 1:23). They are made new creatures: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). And their faith is directed by love: "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6). "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:14,26). Only such persons are members of the true church.

Admittance into Christian fellowship is, therefore, by its very nature, restricted to those who express the desire and show evidence that they are seeking to be cleansed from all unrighteousness. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."—1 John 1:9

From the foregoing it is easy to see that no single denomination or church may understand all spiritual truth. Perhaps none may correctly interpret the meaning of all Scripture. The pursuit of this objective is nevertheless honorable for all believers.

Those who treasure the words of the Bible will be encouraged to worship God in spirit and in truth. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Why? Because they see in the Bible certain simple

Truths Through Which We Must Worship God:

That there is one God, the all-powerful Creator;

That He first brought forth His Son, the Word;

That man was created perfect but lost life by wilfully disobeying God's rules;

That the wages of sin is death: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23);

That the Word was made flesh: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14)--so that He might die and become the Redeemer of all mankind;

That the Father raised His Son on the third day: "Him God raised up the third day, and made him manifest" (Acts 10:40, Matt. 16:21; 17:23; Luke 9:22);

That salvation is the gift of God (Rom. 6:23, Eph. 2:8);

That God rewards all who diligently seek Him;

That Jesus prayed that believers be "not of the world" (John 17:14-16);

That "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (2 Cor. 5:17); and all such serve as ministers of reconciliation: "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18);

That present unbelievers shall be blessed tomorrow when "the knowledge of the glory of the LORD" (Hab. 2:14) fills the earth as the waters cover the sea: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:9); and

That all incorrigibly wicked persons God will destroy.

Church Fellowship is:

The communion that the members enjoy one with another, and the mutual encouragement to fellowship in the spirit with our heavenly Father and with our Lord Jesus Christ: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ"—1 John 1:3

Objectives of Church Fellowship are:

To maintain and express a system of sound teaching;

To support holy worship in purity and simplicity;

To impartially exercise church order and discipline; and

To promote holiness in all manner of conduct.

Particular Duties Are to:

Study earnestly to keep peace and unity;

Bear one another's burdens: "...if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;...Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:1,2); work to prevent the stumbling of one another: "Let...no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way" (Rom. 14:13, Heb. 10:24);

Steadfastly continue in true faith, worship and prayers (Acts 2:42), and pray for and sympathize with each other: "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way" (1 Sam. 12:23); "Praying always...in the Spirit,...with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"--Eph. 6:18

Blessings of Fellowship Within the True Church:

Maintenance of faith and hope (Heb. 10:22,23); spiritual growth toward Christian maturity: "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Pet. 3:18, 2 Thess. 1:3, Eph. 4:15); a living expectancy of the reward of the righteous: "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward" (Heb. 10:35, 2 John 8); and a fervent belief in the eventual destruction of sin and death--1 Cor. 15:25, Rev. 20:14

Every true Christian is privileged, in the face of the horrible conditions which prevail upon the human family, to hold faith in the fulfillment of all God's promises. In His time and in His way He will bring them to pass.