Marks of the Church

Jeremy Northrop

      One of the most obvious departures form the divine pattern today involves the singularity of the church. When Jesus established the church in Matthew 16:13-20, He said that He would build His church. He did not say that He would build churches. The conclusion is obvious — Jesus only built one church! Unfortunately men have built many more. Why would anyone want to try and improve on the design that God has set in place? More importantly, how is one to know which church is the church which Jesus built?

      First, the one church that Jesus built will carry or wear His name. Paul said, “For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11). Any religious group that names themselves after some man is showing partiality to that man. Naming a religious group after John the baptizer, Martin Luther, or any other man is simply not seen in scripture. The church which Jesus built wears the name of Jesus.

      Another mark of the church of the Bible is the way she practices religion. The New Testament church looks to the New Testament for authority for all they say and practice. The plea of any New Testament Christian is to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. Many of the religious practices seen in the denominational world have no basis in scripture and there is simply no authority for these kinds of practices. “…Let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). The Church that Jesus built only has one place of authority—the Bible.

      Finally, the one church which Jesus built practices the gospel plan of salvation. One simply must hear the word of God (Romans 10:17). Then, he or she must believe what they have heard (Mark 16:15-16). He or she then recognizes the sin that is in the life of all mankind and must repent of the sins that are in his or her life (Luke 13:3, 5). A person must confess Jesus to be the son of God (Acts 8:37). One must be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38; 1Peter 3:21). Finally, one must live faithful unto God for the remainder of his or her life (Revelation 2:10). These are the steps that one must take to get in Christ and in Christ are all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). These are the steps one must take to receive the grace of God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).