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There are people
sitting in churches around the world and believing the teachings of their
denomination, believing their doctrines, and participating in their rituals
who aren't a part of God's church. It takes more than actions, deeds, and
rituals to become a joint heir to the kingdom. Only when you
confess with your mouth, "Jesus
is Lord:, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you
will be saved (Romans 10:9). Through the
belief in our heart we're justified, through our confession we're saved [see
Romans 10:10]. The creed of the Methodist church, although differing
slightly from some other denominations, sums up this confession of belief
when it states that Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried and, on the
third day was raised from the dead.
Irregardless of the teachings of some
denominations, as said before, no one denomination has possession of the
full truth of God. No one denomination does everything correctly. Every one
has made mistakes when it comes to the leadership of the denomination,
including matters of church doctrine. If there was no chance of mistakes, we
wouldn't have to be comforted by the words of Colossians 1:22 and 23.
But now he has reconciled you by
Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight,
without blemish and free from accusation - if you continue in your faith,
established and firm, not moved from the hope held in the gospel. This is
the gospel that you heard . . . [see
Romans 10:9 and 10].
A church isn't a building or an organization led
by a few people. The church is the people, the leader is God. Any one who
has asked for their sins to be forgiven can become a member. More
importantly, that person must have accepted Jesus Christ as his or her Lord
and Savior. Those who have confessed, by words from their hearts, are the
members of the congregation. Taken all together, regardless of denomination
or practices these people form the basis of God's chosen church. This is the
One True Church. |
