Is One Church as Good as Another?

Matthew 16:18

PM 05-24-2027 · Ed Rangel · Waupaca Church of Christ

The question

People say, "It does not really matter what church you go to."

Jesus never treated the church question like personal taste.

"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church."

Matthew 16:18 · NASB 1995

Thesis

One church is not as good as another.

Jesus built one church, purchased one body, revealed one faith, and will save those who do the will of the Father.

This sermon is not about defending a party name or a human tradition.

A biblical name does not excuse unbiblical practice.
Correct words do not sanctify false teaching.
The Lord is not fooled by labels.

The question must be pressed honestly.

What did Jesus build?

What did the apostles preach?

How were people added?

What doctrine governed them?

Point 1

The answer must come from divine authority, not human opinion.

This question is too important for preference.

The preacher is not the standard.
Family history is not the standard.
Religious emotion is not the standard.

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."

Matthew 28:18 · NASB 1995

If all authority belongs to Christ, man has no authority to invent the church.

No headquarters, council, creed book, convention, conference, or preacher's private opinion gets to rule over His word.

"The word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day."

John 12:48 · NASB 1995

If Christ's word will judge us then, Christ's word must govern us now.

The church question cannot be settled by what feels meaningful, familiar, or accepted.

Scripture equips the man of God "for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16–17 · NASB 1995

The church question is an authority question.

Who defines the church?
Who names the way of salvation?
Who governs worship and doctrine?

Christ alone has that right.

Not the preacher. Not the hearer. Not tradition. Not culture. Not denominational history.

Point 2

The way is narrow, even when people are religious.

Our culture hates narrowness.

Inclusion without truth.
Acceptance without repentance.
Religious identity without submission.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction."

Matthew 7:13 · NASB 1995

"The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Matthew 7:14 · NASB 1995

That is not religious pluralism.

Jesus did not say every road is valid as long as someone walks it sincerely.

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 7:21 · NASB 1995

Saying "Lord" while refusing the Lord's will is empty religion.

A church may say "Jesus" often and still reject His authority.

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name?'"

Matthew 7:22 · NASB 1995

"I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."

Matthew 7:23 · NASB 1995

They are not atheists.

They are active, confident, and wrong. Their confidence collapses because they practiced lawlessness instead of doing the Father's will.

Three questions cut through the fog.

Will everyone who calls Jesus "Lord" enter?
Will religious people be surprised?
Who actually enters the kingdom?

"Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins."

Acts 2:38 · NASB 1995

Apply Matthew 7 to the church question.

Faith alone is not the Father's will.
Baptism after salvation is not Acts 2:38.
Unauthorized worship is not submission.

The narrow way is not narrow because Christians are mean.

It is narrow because Christ has authority, truth excludes error, and obedience cannot include rebellion.

Point 3

Jesus built one church, not competing religious bodies.

"There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism."

Ephesians 4:4–5 · NASB 1995

God gave Christ "as head over all things to the church, which is His body."

Ephesians 1:22–23 · NASB 1995

New Testament unity is not denominational variety.

One body under one Lord and one faith cannot mean many contradictory bodies teaching different doctrines.

Acts 2 shows how people entered the church in the beginning.

The gospel was preached.
Sinners repented and were baptized.
The Lord added the saved.

"And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Acts 2:47 · NASB 1995

Identify the New Testament church by the New Testament pattern.

What they believed

One Lord, one faith, one gospel, one body.

What they obeyed

Repentance, baptism, worship, doctrine, and life under Christ.

If we believe what they believed, obey what they obeyed, worship as they worshiped, and submit to the same Head, we can be what they were.

Invitation

The Lord saves on His terms, not ours.

Believe Christ, repent of sin, confess Him, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and live under His authority.