Criteria for a Good Church
How do you find a good church? Are all churches the same?
Not all churches are good churches. In fact, I would argue that, some may not even be churches, at all.
Just because a group of people get together every week, and call themselves a church, that doesn't make them a church. A church is a congregation of believers. So, if you have a congregation of unbelievers, completely consisting of fakes and hypocrites, then you don't have a church.
So, how can you tell whether or not a church is a good church, or whether it even is a church?
Jesus stated that "you will know a tree by its fruit". In the same way that you can tell whether an apple tree is an apple tree, based on whether or not it bears apples, you can tell whether a person is a follower of Christ, based on how they live. This test doesn't just apply to other people, it applies to ourselves, as well. After all, Jesus said, "why do you call me "Lord, Lord", but don't do what I say?"
As Christians, we can use this same test, when looking for a valid church.
It isn't hard to tell whether or not a church is a good church, or if it's a congregation, posing as a church. All you have to do is observe whether or not they preach what the Bible teaches. If they are subscribing to unbiblical teachings, then you'll know not to associate with them.
For instance, in recent years, I've been able to see church buildings with pride flags being flown on the building, or displayed on a sign on the building. The flag, immediately, lets you know where they stand, concerning homosexuality. The fact that they proudly display a flag that celebrates this sinful lifestyle, indicates that they're in favor of it. The Bible, clearly, teaches that homosexuality is a sin. So, it isn't hard to recognize that, such an organization, doesn't teach what the Bible teaches.
General society is increasingly accepting of homosexuality. It's a lifestyle that is, often, viewed as appropriate, or simply, alternative. However, this isn't what the Bible teaches. 1st Corinthians 6:9-10, reads as follows:
Surely you know that the wicked will not possess God's Kingdom. Do not fool yourselves; people who are immoral or who worship idols or are adulterers or homosexual perverts or who steal or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others or are thieves --none of these will possess God's Kingdom.
-1st Corinthians 6:9-10
This portion of scripture is very clear; not to mention a few others.
And then, we run into this area of different denominations.
I was rasied in a Baptist church. The sermons, that I consistently heard, were always based on scripture. When the preacher started his sermon, it was very common to hear him say, "open your Bibles to...". At that point you could follow along, and read, for yourself, what the Bible has to say.
So, if I visit a church, and the preacher gives a seromon without cracking a Bible, that's another huge red flag.
Catholocism is very popular. I've never chosen to go to a Catholic church, because I know that they follow a pope. In such a church, leaders call themselves priests, put white collars around their necks, and then expect people to call them "father".
This is another red flag, since the Bible, clearly, tells us not to do this. Matthew 23:1-12, reads as follows:
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. "The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees are the authorized interpreters of Moses' Law. So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don't practice what they preach. They tie onto people's backs loads that are heavy and hard to carry, yet they aren't willing even to lift a finger to help them carry those loads. They do everything so that people will see them. Look at the straps with scripture verses on them which they wear on their foreheads and arms, and notice how large they are! Notice also how long are the tassels on their cloaks! They love the best places at feasts and the reserved seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have people call them 'Teacher.' You must not be called 'Teacher,' because you are all equal and have only one Teacher. And you must not call anyone here on earth 'Father', because you have only the one Father in heaven. Nor should you be called 'Leader', because your one and only leader is the Messiah. The greatest one among you must be your servant. Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great.
-Matthew 23:1-12
When I read this portion of scripture, it isn't difficult for me to notice a few similar practices that I see in Catholic churches.
In a Catholic church, the congregation calls people "father", and religious leaders wear special robes and clothing. As the scripture points out, these spiritual leaders wear such clothing, in an effort to exalt themselves.
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