By Daniel R. Vess
Quite a few men and women believe that "one church is as good as another". However, practically everyone I've met is repulsed by at least one or two practices being performed in the name of religion. Some strongly disapprove of the Jehovah's Witnesses view of Christ. Others would have nothing to do with the Christian Scientists, Mormons, or Pentecostal groups and their "miracles". Still others reject the formality of Episcopalians and Presbyterians, the traditions of Catholicism, etc. The mere fact that over 700 churches (all claiming allegiance to Jesus Christ) exist in America proves that nearly everyone dislikes something about some church. Thus, no one really believes one is as good as another.
Many who hold that one church is as good as another are not consistent in their belief. Some will argue: "It doesn't matter what you believe so long as you are sincere". However, this sincerity is just as applicable to the Jew who affirms that Jesus was an illegitimate child who lied about who He was, performed no miracles, and did not raise from the dead. With such an argument sincerity would be made the only condition of salvation.
Other well meaning individuals will argue that "there are good people in all churches". True, but that can be said of Hindus, Moslems, and among the several Atheist organizations that exist.
Another argument goes like this: "There are many roads that lead to heaven." If there is no standard or spiritual map to determine which roads lead to heaven than naturally all roads do lead to heaven. Yet consider the road of Buddhism, Shintoism, and atheism. Do these roads equally lead to heaven? Jesus never taught nor believed that all roads lead to heaven. He said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it". (Matt. 7:13,14).
The final inconsistent argument we will consider is: "I can't believe that so many people will go to hell." This concept leads to the doctrine of universalism, which states that all souls will eventually find salvation in the grace of God no matter how righteous or wicked they may have been or which church they belonged to. Yet, when asked if wicked men like Judas or Hitler will be given a place in heaven most will deny them this "universal grace" of God. Furthermore, such a doctrine is contrary to God's revelation which tells of souls burning in Hell (Lk. 16:19‑31; Mk. 9:43,45,47). Worst of all, if this is true, than God sent Jesus Christ to suffer and bleed on the cross in vain.
HONESTLY ASK YOURSELF:
Was Jim Jones' church of Jonestown in South America where over 900 people were forced to drink cyanide laced kool‑aid out of an old bath tub as good as the church where you can drink the water of life which Christ gives? (John 4 & 6).
Is a Gay Synagogue or People's Church Community of the Love of Christ as good as one teaching one man for one woman? The church of the New Testament never advocated homosexuality!
Is an "X‑rated" church just as good as Christ's church? An Associated Press article out of Dallas said, "Some churches have hell, fire, and brimstone ...The First Unitarian Church of Richardson has a stripper. Diana King danced for the congregation last Sunday. When she was through, there was nothing left but . . . the congregation's imagination. The tall blonde stripper said she 'would like to do a sermon using the exotic dance, and members of the congregation could join me if they liked.'" The reporter goes on to say that "the church's 200 adult members and their children watched in fascinated silence as Diana removed her clothing and did the same dance she performs nightly at a Dallas night spot". Mr. Bill Nichols, "Pastor" of the suburban Dallas church said, "I have not had one complaint. I feel like exotic dancing is a part of life. It fit very well into our service." Billy Graham said, "Bad religion is a particularly evil thing. Misguided religion is worse than no religion at all" (Houston Post, Dec. 10, 1964).
Was David Koresh's church with its sexual immorality, murdering, and mass suicide as good as the church which teaches moral purity and is pro-life?
Is a church which advocates the right of a woman and her doctor to terminate an unwanted unborn baby as good as a church which believes in the sanctity of life?
Is a man made church or denomination purchased by the mere sweat and money of mere men as good as the church purchased with the blood of Christ (Ac. 20:28)? Is the any other man just as valuable as the blood of Christ? Is a church founded by a sinful man as good as a church founded by Christ? Is a church built by mere mortals as good as the church Christ built (Matt. 16:18)?
What if a preacher said that one bride is as good as another? What if one said that concerning your marriage? Did Jacob feel that way when he married Leah instead of Rachael? The church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:32). Shall we insult Him by saying that one church (bride) is as good as another. Furthermore, ponder the point that Christ is not a bigamist. He has only one bride.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT STANDARD
1) The standard in measuring a church's acceptability is not a subjective one. If one church is not as good as another then there must be a standard to determine whether one church is as good as another. That standard can be an objective standard, that is ‑ a standard which is true regardless of who accepts and who rejects it or how they feel about it. On the other hand, that standard may be subjective: every man is a law unto himself. A mere subjective objection has validity solely for the one making the objection; it can never be imposed on anyone else. Thus, another's subjective evaluation would be as valid as yours. Examples: Friendliness of a church, attractiveness of a church, proximity of the building, abundance of recreational activities, ability of the preacher to present an interesting message, the number of celebrities which are brought in to entertain them. Although some of these come into consideration in selecting a congregation to attend, these details have nothing to do with whether or not the given religion is pleasing or displeasing to God. Any reason, other than the word of God, for choosing one church above another is subjective.
If we wish to prove a church is pleasing to God we must use an objective standard. The word of God is that standard. I may feel a church is okay. I may like that church and the people in it. Yet this does not prove anything about how God feels or thinks about the church. If we want His feelings and thinking about a church we will have to consult His Word.
2) A particular denomination may not serve as a standard. Denominations often use each other as standards. Like those at Corinth, they compare themselves with themselves. "For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding." (2 Cor. 10:12). Consider for example, if one man says he is as good as another man than he is using his life as a standard and not Christ's life. Does it prove that he is as good as he ought to be? When a man sets his watch by another man's watch which is wrong, than no matter how well his runs it will still be wrong. Thus, if one church claims to be just as good as another than "they are not wise". They are using is a false standard, it does not mean they are as good as they ought to be.
3) A local congregation is not the standard in determining whether one church is as good as another. No local church is a standard, at best it is a product of the standard representing what a real local church ought to be. No local church is perfect. For a denomination to point to a local church of Christ and point out its failures will not invalidate the standard. No local church today began on Pentecost. One can join a local church, but he cannot join the church universal. Comparing a denomination to a local church is unfair and misleading for it is not the universal church and is comparing apples with oranges.
4) God's Word is the standard by which we can accurately determine if one church is as good as it ought to be. When asked why a certain person would never attend or be a member of a homosexual church or a polygamy practicing church they will claim: "The practice of this church is contrary to the word of God". This remark presupposes that there is a standard by which a given church must be measured and has correctly identified it as the Word of God. All shall be judged by this standard on Judgment Day. Jesus said, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day." (Jn. 12:48).
This objective standard must be applied completely and uniformly. We are not left to pick and choose what portions of the standard are applicable and what portions are not. For example, to say that one church should practice the Lord's Supper and another does not, is an inconsistent use of the standard. If the Bible is the standard and if one church is as good as another than they all must meet up equally to that standard. If you find so much as one church to which you object on some Biblical basis, you have given up the belief that "one church is as good as another".
THE SCRIPTURES TEACH ONE CHURCH IS NOT AS GOOD AS ANOTHER
It will be surprising to a lot of people that the Bible never teaches that one church is as good as another. As a matter of fact it teaches just the opposite. One church is not as good as another.
The seven churches of Asia were not as equally good. The church at Ephesus had left her "first love" (Rev. 2:4). Pergamos had members who held to "the doctrine of the Nicolaitans", which the Lord said, "I hate" (2:15). Thyatira permitted "that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols."
Sardis was condemned as being dead (3:1). Because of lukewarmness Jesus threatened to remove Laodicea's candlestick (3:15‑17). However, please note that not a word was expressed against the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia (2:8‑11; 3:7‑13). Thus, the New Testament teaches that one church of Christ is not as good as another. Moreover then, how could a man‑made church be as good as a church like Smyrna or Philadelphia?
Furthermore, the Scriptures teach that one Christian is not as good as another. Some are likened to "gold, silver, and precious stones," and others who are likened to "wood, hay, stubble" (I Cor. 3:12). Some are carnal (I Cor. 3:1) and others are spiritual (Gal. 6:1). Is a church composed of people who "bite and devour one another" (Gal. 5:15), as good as one "knit together in love", (Col. 2:2)?
DIFFERENCES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Many differing religions exist in America. The reason for so many differing denominations is that they all believe their particular beliefs are better than others. They have developed creed books which outline what they do believe on various subjects. All the preachers and most of the members of a particular denomination must adhere to its creed. It is the beliefs in these creeds that cause religious division, not the teachings of Christ. You may be wondering, "Are not all these creeds based upon the Bible?" Mostly, yet they do contain many beliefs that were thought up by mere men. This is were the difference lies.
1) It makes a difference what a church believes. Disbelief in the gospel message will result in damnation (Mk. 16:15,16). According to Jesus if they walk in another way, if they believe another truth, and if they pursue another life they will be led to damnation. "I am the way the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me." (John 14:6). Belief in the truth is essential to freedom from sin (Jn. 8:32). Belief in the wrong thing will lead to being accursed of God. Paul warned the churches of Galatia, "But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:8,9). Just being sincere is not good enough, because we are saved not by the act of believing, but by what we believe. 2) It makes a difference what plan of salvation they obey. Jesus died for all men, but not all men will meet the conditions for receiving His grace.
The conditions are:
a. Believe (Mk. 16:16).
"You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone." (James 2:24).
b. Repent (Ac. 2:38).
"Then Peter said the them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized inthe name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit".
c. Confess.
"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
(Rom. 10:9,10).
d. Be Baptized (I Pet. 3:21).
"He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, he that does not believe, shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16).
Any church which teaches the wrong conditions of pardon is not as good as the one that teaches the truth. Many pervert the plain teachings of Jesus in Mark 16:16. The Atheist teaches: He that believeth and is baptized shall not be saved. Universalist's doctrine would render it: Every man shall be saved whether or not he believes and is baptized. The Calvinist: He that is predestined to be saved shall believe and be baptized. Catholicism's rendition would be: He that is baptized (infant baptism) shall be saved and later believe. A Baptist would represent it as: He that believeth is saved and should be baptized. All need to heed the warning not to take away or add to God's Word (Rev. 22:18,19).
3) It makes a difference how they worship God. God has always demanded that He be worshiped according to His revealed will. Through out the Bible many men and women have been condemned by
God because they worshipped Him according to their will not His Will. For example, Nadab and Ahibu were two priest who offered incense with strange fire and were consumed by fire from heaven (Lev. 10:1-3). Also, Paul condemned the worship of the Corinthians because they were abusing the Lord's Supper (I Cor. 11:17-34).
In order to worship according to the Will of God, worship must be rendered in spirit and truth. "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23,24). Any worship based upon man's will is vain and will be rejected by God, as He rejected the self-willed worship of the Pharisees (Mt. 15:7‑9).
CONCLUSION
It is amazing that people who argue that one church is as good as another will inevitably pick one started by men to the rejection of the church of Christ. They select one following a human creed and not the church following only the Bible. They choose the church of their choice instead of Christ's choice, and they select one with a human name and reject one with a divine name?
No, one church is not as good as another. If we were merely speaking of man-made churches we could correctly say that one denomination is as good as another. But no denomination is as good as the Church of Christ (Rom. 16:16). The difference is that one is humanly devised and the other is divinely revealed.
The purpose of this tract is not to plead with men to leave one denomination to become a member of another denomination. It is simply calling upon men of every denomination to depart from their denominations and become a part of the Lord's church.