Frequently asked questions

NOTE:   In examining the following questions, which are frequently asked, we encourage you to search your Bibles for the truth. Just as  the noble Bereans of Acts 17:11 diligently searched the Scriptures daily to see if the things that they were being told were so.   Also, I Thessalonians 5:21 exhorts everyone: "Examine everything carefully; holdfast to that which is good"   In other words,we should examine any doctrine or teaching being set forth by men as God's word to see if it is true.  The Bible, which is God's revealed Word, is the only  way to evaluate and measurewhether or not this is true.
"Study,to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling, accurately the word of truth." (II Tim 2:15)

Question: There are so many names around which are being used for churches. What are some of the names for the church mentioned in Scripture?

Answer: Some of the names by which The New Testament church is referred are:

It should be noted that the mere use of a scriptually  approved name does not signify that a particular church is practicing the teachings of Christ. It was not man but Christ Jesus who:  purchased the church (Acts 20:28);named its people (Acts 1:26); gave the church its doctrine (II John 9:10, Gal 1:11); built the church (Matt 16:18)

Question: But how can so many good people be wrong? Isn't it safer to follow what most people are practicing in religion?

Answer: Jesus said "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and man are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. " (Matthew 7: 13-14)

Question: Doesn't God want people to be saved?

Answer: Yes! We are told in (I Timothy 2:4) that God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. "  Remember also that Jesus has said: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments " (John 14:15)

Question: What's wrong with what we often hear, "Worship at the church of YOUR choice?"

Answer: Jesus has said " I will build My church." (Matthew 16: 18) The New Testament speaks of only one church, -the one belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ. Not many churches! It was Jesus who: bled for the church (Acts 20:28 established the church and called it His (Matt 16:18)  adds people to His church upon their obedience (Acts 2:47) is the Head of the church (Eph 1:22-23,4:4,5:23)

Question: I have often  wondered why there are so many different churches having different practices and doctrines yet all claiming to be headed toward the same place (heaven)? Can they all be right?

Answer: No they can not. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me,'Lord, Lord, , will enter the kingdom  of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day,'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?`  And then I will declare  to them, I  never knew you; depart from Me,  you who practice lawlessness. " (Matthew 7:21-23)

Question: But isn't a zeal for God all that is necessary to be right in His eyes?

Answer: Not according to the Scripture, which is God's revealed word. In Romans, Paul is speaking about the Jews: "Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.  For I bear them witness that the have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:1-3)

Question: Well what about those people  who believe their ways are better in the doctrine they are practicing. They say they feel comfortable in what they are doing. How does God feel about that?

Answer: We find the answer to this question in a passage in Isaiah,where God says: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the- Lord For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and MY thoughts than your thoughts. " (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Question: But what if people are truly sincere in their beliefs? How can they be wrong in God's sight?

Answer: Each person is responsible for their own salvation. No one else can save them. Consequently, it behooves each individual to seek out God's will. Remember, God has said: There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. " (Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25). For example: Jacob sincerely believed the lie that his son Joseph had been killed by a wild beast. He "mourned for his son many days," (Genesis 37:31- 35) If we are not careful we also may sincerely believe a lie in spiritual matters. That's why we need to seek out the truth and not depend on others to tell us. "Search the Scriptures to see if it is so." (Acts 20:11)

Question: But what's so bad about adding something to one's beliefs or practices that seems more appropriate in our modem times?

Answer:  Because, it's a matter of authority and what God has said to do. Who's church is it anyway? God has specifically said:   "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the  commandments of the Lord your God which I commanded you." (Deuteronomy 4:2)

Question: How do we know what the truth is, when there are so many different teachings? Where can we find the truth?


Answer: The answer lies in searching the Scriptures for the truth and then following what God tells us what to do.  Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. " (John8:31-32)  If we leave it to others to tell us what their version of the  truth,,then we are gambling with our souls and our eternity.

Question: Many churches teach that the Bible alone will not show the truth, they have created creeds, handbooks and other methods to establish additional doctrines contrary to that taught by Jesus.

Answer: What does Jesus say? In speaking of those who establish alternate or contrary doctrines,  Jesus said: "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is  far from Me. In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. " (Matthew 15:8-9) We need to beware also of those  who  teach that only the clergy can understand the Bible and that they will interpret for the rest of the members. There is no mention in the Bible of such practices or of such  commandments given by our Lord.

What does the Bible say'? "Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book, but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son Of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. " (John 20:30-31)

Paul writes: "By revelation there was made known to me the Mystery, as I wrote before in brief. And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my,insight into the mystery of Christ. . . ' (Ephesians 3:3-4)

Question: Why is Baptism so important? Can't one be saved without being baptized?

Answer: Baptism is necessary for the salvation of our souls. It was Jesus who commanded baptism: "Go ye forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the  Holy Spirit." (Matt. 28:19), and again in Mark 16:16 " Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."   In baptism, several things occur: our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16); we are added to Christ's church
( Acts 2:38); we walk in the newness of life (Rom 6:3-5); we are saved "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us." (I Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16)

Question: How does one become a member of Christ's church?

Answer: In order to be added to, that is become a member of, Christ's church you must believe in Christ (John 8:24, Acts 16:31, Heb 11:6) repent of your sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38,3:19,17:30); confess your faith in Christ (Matt 10:32-33, Rom 10:10, Acts 2:37-38) be baptized for the remission of your sins (Matt 28:19, Acts 2:38,10:48,22:16, I Peter 3:21, Gal 3:27)

Question: How is the church of Christ distinguished from other churches?

Answer: The church that Christ founded is a faithful, unified church that has no earthly head. It is a church that has the following distinguishing characteristics:

Question:: Shouldn't Christians show a spirit of tolerance for the beliefs and lifestyles of people that are different from their own?

Answer: In Matthew 7: 12-13, Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." In all honesty, does that sound very broadminded to you? Some would evidently have us believe Jesus' way encompasses much variety--Believe and practice what you want! But Jesus tells us His way is narrow, difficult and the choice of the few, not a way which accommodates many different lifestyles and beliefs. Again, when He said: "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins;" (John 8:24) He wasn't expressing any toleration for those of "another opinion" about His deity. And when the Apostles said of Jesus, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12) they were acknowledging that there is really only one course people can follow if they hope to be saved. While  some would say there are many different roads a person could pursue in religion and still be pleasing to God,  the New Testament limits us to "One body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father" (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Question: I've noticed that some churches have saints, priests and other "special" classes of people. What does the Bible say about this?  

Answer: There are no special classes of people. Members of Christ's church are called:

So we see that members can be called: saints, priests, Christians, or simply: members. There are however,  classes of people who are members of the local congregation and who act as servants to assist the local church in carrying out God's work. These people have no authority to supervise or dictate the actions of other congregations. In this respect we find that the Bible only authorizes the following "classes of servants:" God's organization in each local church (in a particular location) to accomplish the work prescribed.