A Test to Give a Church

Does this church

1. Use the Bible as its only authority for rules and practice?  (Read Mark 7:7; John 12:48; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:3) Yes or No?
2. Believe and teach the deity of Christ? (John 3:16; 8:24)  Yes or No?
3. Believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? (Matthew 28:18-20) Yes or No?
4. Have leaders and members who display Christ’s love?  (John 13:34-35) Yes or No?
5. Wear a Scriptural designation such as church or God, church of Christ, church or the Firstborn? (Romans 16:16; I Corinthians 1:2; Hebrews 12:23) Yes or No?
6. Have organization as the New Testament church did, with qualified men serving as elders, deacons, and evangelists? (Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3; Titus 1) Yes or No?
7. Have the mission of the original church-to get the whole gospel to the whole world? (Mark 16:15-16) Yes or No
8. Use only males to preach and lead in public worship? (I Timothy 2:9-15) Yes or No?
9. Teach baptism of believers for remission of sins-in order to be saved? (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21) Yes or No?
10. Teach biblical morality?  (As opposed to endorsing/allowing actions as homosexuality, adultery, fornication, and lasciviousness among members) (I Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21) Yes or No?
11. Worship according to the New Testament, without adding innovations such as mechanical music, drama, praise teams, or soloists? (John 4:24; Colossians 3:16-17; Revelation 22:18-19) Yes or No?
12.  Encourage members to practice pure religion-to help widows and orphans, and to stay unspotted from the world?  (James 1:27) Yes or No?
13. Teach that the Holy Spirit guides people only through the Word of God? (Ephesians 6:17) Yes or No?
14. Teach that Jesus now reigns over His kingdom and that He will one day return to take it to heaven, at which time He will destroy the earth (as opposed to the teaching that He will set up His kingdom on earth in the future and rule a 1000 year)? (I Corinthians 15:24-26; Colossians 1:13; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Peter 3:1-13; Revelation 1:9) Yes or No?
15. Show an interest in the poor and downtrodden? (Romans 15:26) Yes or No?

All questions should be answered “yes.”

Important verses to consider:

• Jesus said we are to observe “all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).
• Practicing the doctrines of men makes worship vain (Mark 7:7-9).
• All plants not planted by the Father will be rooted up (Matthew 15:13).

Search out a church that wholly follows the Bible!