Which Denomination is the one True Church?

In Matthew 16:18 NLT Jesus Christ said He will build a Church that “all the powers of hell will not conquer”.
What did Jesus mean? What kind of a Church is Jesus building that is able to withstand the powers and demonic advances of hell?

Today we live in a world where “the church” is rocked by church splits, denominational divisions, sexual misconduct, spiritual abuse, false teachers, religious hypocrisy, church closures, staged / fake miracles and legal battles involving leaders who fight for institutional control of various church assets.
We live in a world where “the church” has been commercialized and church members are turned into consumers / customers every time they enter a church building. For decades, “the church” seems to be more concerned with money, profits, KPIs, materialism, church politics, outward appearances, narcissism and virtue signaling.
We live in a world where many church groups are controlled by people who are not even truly born again, as many groups have been infiltrated by wolves in sheep’s clothing who also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
The Holy Spirit has no place or influence in many such church groups. Instead scripture twisting, human psychology and all manner of manipulation and behavioral science techniques are used by group leaders to control and influence followers / members.
With all the above issues happening within “the church”, why does it look like the “powers of hell” are having their way in “the church”?

In Matthew 16:18 is this the type of church that Jesus said He would build – or was Jesus Christ speaking of a different Church altogether? Is this the picture of “the church” that Jesus said would withstand the gates of hell – or did Jesus speak about a different Church?

Therefore in a world where there are over 40000 denominations and millions of churches, which individual church or denomination is the one true Church?
Does one’s affiliation with a particular church or denomination give the assurance that a person has a place in Heaven?
Why are people deceived into believing that only their denomination or their local church is the one true Church? Why are people deceived into believing that only their church building is the house or temple of God?
Does Jesus Christ believe in denominations and did Christ die on the cross for any particular church denomination? Which church is the true Church?

 

What is the one True Church?
To understand what “the one true Church” means, we must define the Church according to the Bible and not according to religious tradition or the doctrines of men.
It is first important to clarify what the true Church is not.
According to the Bible, the one true Church is not a building. The true Church is not a denomination. The true Church is not a man-made institution such as a registered trust, a social club, and nor is it some type of charity or non-governmental organization. The true Church is not a religious cult or a religious group conceived and created by a human being.

In the Bible the word “church” comes from the Greek word [ekklesia] which is defined as the “called out ones”. Ekklesia refers to people – specifically people who are born again Christians only.
In the true Church the people are the building blocks or “living stones” and Jesus Christ Himself is the Chief cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5; Acts 4:10-12; Ephesians 2:20).
The true Church is also sometimes referred to as the invisible Church or the universal Church.
The word church is never used in the Bible to describe a building or organization.

The word Ekklesia does not also refer to false Christians or religious hypocrites.
According to Matthew 7:21-23 – not every person who says “Lord! Lord!” will enter God’s kingdom.

The concept of being “called out” or the [Ekklesia] means that the true Church are people who are called out to be different from the world; though we live in the world, we are not of the world. The true Church are people who have been set apart to be holy; the Ekklesia belongs to a different but heavenly citizenry; the true Church are people who are called out to be salt and light in a dark and sinful world (Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 1:16; Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 5:13-16).

The true Church or Ekklesia is a spiritual entity which Jesus Christ Himself is creating and this true Church consists only of people who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Therefore the true Church exclusively constitutes of people who are genuinely born again, no matter which denomination or local church they attend.
The one true Church is not a denominational church, but it is a royal priesthood of believers. The true Church are the people who worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
The one true Church believes that Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and man.
Your denomination cannot save you – only Jesus Christ can save you (John 14:6). Only Jesus Christ alone knows whether you belong to the true Church or not (2 Timothy 2:19), because it is Christ Himself who is the Creator, the Builder and the Head of the one true Church (Matthew 16:18).
Therefore just as it was supernaturally revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Messiah, then Christ Himself is building His Church on the foundation that anyone who believes and receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour will automatically belong to the one true Church.

Matthew 16:13-18 NLT says: When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
15 Then He asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build My church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”

The true Church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 12:27).
The true Church is also the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9; Revelation 22:17).
In addition to being its Creator and Builder, Jesus Christ alone is the Head of the one true Church (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22).

Ultimately this one true Church is the one in which the powers of hell will never prevail. It is the Church that will not be destroyed by denominational differences, institutional power struggles, false doctrines or by false prophets and nor will this true Church be defeated by all kinds of demonic warfare.
Even in the face of trials and persecution, this one true Church will remain faithful to God and it is the Church that will be raptured when Jesus Christ returns.
The reason is because the one true Church is a remnant which belongs to the Lord and not to men. It is a spiritual organic entity which is united as one body with Jesus Christ as the Head, the Shepherd and the Founder of the one true Church.

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus did not say “I will build my Churches” but instead Jesus said “… I will build My Church”.
So though we are many who may come from different denominations or different church groups and no matter our geographic location – but if we are truly saved or born again, then we are one body in Christ.

In John 10:16 Jesus says: “I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to My voice, and there will be one flock with one Shepherd.”

Romans 12:4-5 says: For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Ephesians 4:4-6 says: There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

 

Conclusion
There are various reasons why there are so many church denominations – some of which are actually valid.
However, in every denomination and local church there are both true Christian believers and false converts who can exist in the same denomination or local church. So not everyone in a local church or denomination is actually a genuine Christian.

Ultimately Jesus says that on the day of judgment He will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) or the wheat from the tares so that only the one true Church remains while the rest are destroyed (Matthew 13:24-30).
Jesus will not separate us according to our denominations but He will separate us on the basis of whether we are born again or not (John 3:3-18).

Therefore, salvation and redemption is not found through one’s denomination – but salvation is found through Jesus Christ alone.
John 14:6 says: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Acts 4:12 says: And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

 

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN or A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST???

ACKNOWLEDGE: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
This means that we have all broken God’s laws and God’s 10 Commandments like those mentioned in Exodus 20:1-17. For example, if you have told a lie; if you have stolen something; if you have lusted after somebody or if you have coveted. This means you are guilty of breaking at least one or more of God’s 10 Commandments. Breaking God’s commandments makes us sinners. The fact that we are sinners who have broken God’s law means that we are accountable to God who is the Lawgiver. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
You must acknowledge that you are a sinner who has broken God’s commandments and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.

 

REPENT: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to repent of sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

 

CONFESSION: “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). “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.

 

BELIEVE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive him, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12)
By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God

 

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or BELIEVING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
I repent of all of my sins and I ask You to cleanse me Jesus.
Thank You for forgiving my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me the person You want me to be.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”

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