Distinguishing marks of the true church and those marks not applicable to the church.

[Carbon]

The state of the church today is not very good. There are many claiming to be the true church, who nevertheless promote doctrines that deceive and damn the soul. Though no church is perfect, it is necessary to know the distinguishing marks whereby churches may be identified.

 

[Carbon]

One Church that claims to be the true Church is the Roman Catholic Church. However, the one mark that shows that Church is not the true church is, they would like us to put God's word aside and rely on the RCC's pronouncements or the pronouncements of her pope.
But there are many assemblies besides the RCC that claim to be the true church. And they are opposed to each other so no one can accept anyone's declaration including that of the true church. Many however have distinguishing marks that prove they are not of the true church.

I will try to point out many of these distinguishing marks of the false church and of the true church. According to God's word of course.

 

[Carbon]

A church can have a good name but nonetheless, be evil. For example, what benefit was there for the congregation of Sardis to have the name that they lived and yet to be dead?

To the Church in Sardis​

Rev 3
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Many who call themselves catholic are not catholic in word and deed since their doctrine is not consistent with God's word. The doctrine of the true church always has been and always must be in agreement with the word of God.

 

[Carbon]

Some claim the true church is known by its numbers. Considering the Muslims and the number of RCs, I'd say the numbers are not a distinguishing mark of the true church.
Especially since Jesus said this about the church: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32.

And as far as numbers go, Revelation 13:3 says, One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. Looks like great numbers are not a good thing.

Seems according to scripture, few it is. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matt 7:14

 

[Carbon]

Succession is one of those marks not applicable to the true church. Nor can Catholics claim succession a unique distinction of the church. The Muslims also have their successors.

However, succession is not a distinction of the church simply because their was no succession of the apostles. And what would be the value of sucession without truth?

The RCC proved that a wolf in sheep's clothing can sneak in and taint a church with heresy. The RC's who deem succession as one of the distinguishing marks of the true church, condemn themselves, being unable to prove infallibly their succession. Especially if you look into their history, in the first couple of centuries, the succession they claimed to have has degenerated and become heretical.

 

[Carbon]

The next is miracles. Some churches propose it as a distinguishing mark of the true church.
However, according to scripture miracles are not a distinguishing mark of the true church. This is nowhere to be found in scripture.
Of course, there are those who would disagree with me, those word of faith people, the Benny Hinns, and others.

Matter of fact miracles in the post-apostolic church as a means of the confirmation of a doctrine, is a distinguishing mark of the anti-Christian church. 2 Timothy 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, confirms the performance of miracles does not belong to the distinguishing marks of the true church

 

[Deleted member 6]

Here’s what’s wrong with churches today…

 

[Carbon]

Here’s what’s wrong with churches today…

Yep. And there are many clowns feeding the sheep.

 

[makesends]

We need to be careful, though, that we are not so bold (proud) as to claim to have it all together. In fact, one of our core principles includes the fact that no temporal creature has it all quite perfectly in mind. God is beyond our ken. Witness the inability to explain just how God can take creature, made in his image, and make something above even angels, of it. We only have hints. Or explain the Trinity!

One of the tenets, I have been told, of the Reformed, is that they are always reforming themselves, increasing in knowledge and faith and understanding. Never having arrived, until we see him as he is.

 

[ReverendRV]

My brother's Gospel Tract...

The Good Church ~by ReverendRV


I will start by saying that there’s a long story leading up to my son Dustin. He was doing so well under my care for so long. He was working, earning money, he was performing well at his job. Yes, he needed guidance. He needed direction for every step and needed to be told every detail. He had to be reminded to brush his teeth, take a bath, any and all hygiene needs. I tried leading him on the right path, I tried to give him that direction he so needed. I tried to set an example for him for how a good Christian man should live. ~ It all fell apart, and I have been racking my brain over what could have gone wrong, I evaluated myself and my actions, to see where I went wrong in this situation. As a Christian I know that I could have dealt with it differently, by using loving patience more than showing my frustration…

But one issue I think that I can directly attribute to this situation is that I was involved in not such a great Church. I tried to take my children to Church every Sunday, and I tried to have them involved in as many activities with the Church as possible; hoping that their influence would keep him on the right track. ~ Here’s where it all started to go wrong; Dustin is quite talented with a guitar. I wanted to encourage his talent, but in the right direction. I told the leaders in the Church that Dustin needed a mentor. I asked if Dustin could get involved in the Church Band; to learn more chords, and learn to play more Worshipful music. The Church said that they would work with him, so I went out and personally bought Dustin a new guitar suitable for playing in the Church band. That’s as far as it went. The leadership scrubbed him and never worked with him or put forth an effort to work with him. After that is when Dustin began a friendship with a drug dealer affiliated with the youth group which he was participating in; and began taking Meth, Marijuana, and Cocaine. That’s where he fell off the deep end and his time with me under my care came to an end. (I will leave just how far off the deep end out for now)…

This issue with the Church is not the only contributing factor, but well worth discussing. The Bible discusses the dangers of being involved in bad Churches, and talks about what a Church should be. The Bible talks about Shepard’s watching and caring for the flock. In this case the sheep weren’t shepherded, and a wolf was allowed in the flock. This Church looked good from the outside but underneath has some real problems. In Proverbs 31 there is an image of the “Good Wife” which I have heard is an allegory of the image that the Church should portray. If you are looking for a good Church I would encourage you to read this chapter and evaluate the attributes of the Good wife, and ask yourself if the Church you are considering possesses these Traits. If they do, it is probably a good Church to attend. Let’s evaluate the attributes of the Good Wife ~ • She is worth more than fine jewels • She is Trustworthy • She does Good, not Evil • She works with her hands • She gives food for her household • She invests wisely • She is strong • Her lamp does not go out at night; She is always there for you • She is generous to the poor and needy • Her husband Jesus Christ is known at the gates • She is wise, teaching kindness • Her children rise up to bless her. ~ Don’t fall into the deceitful charm of the wrong church where the Holy Spirit doesn’t reside. ~ Repent of Sin’s like Addiction, and Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God and Savior. We’re Saved by Grace through Faith, apart from trying to earn God’s Favor. Praise the Lord…

Proverbs 31:30-31 (NASB) Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates

 

[Marilyn C]

The state of the church today is not very good. There are many claiming to be the true church, who nevertheless promote doctrines that deceive and damn the soul. Though no church is perfect, it is necessary to know the distinguishing marks whereby churches may be identified.

I believe that the church, the ekklesia, the called out ones, (from Israel and the nations) is being built and matured by the Lord and His Holy Spirit till we come to the unity of the faith. (Eph. 4: 13)

And this has been a process since the early church, for the ascended Lord sent His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. The Apostle Paul warned his disciples that although he gave them the whole counsel of God, that there would come in after him `savage wolves...& from among you men will rise up, speaking perverse things...` (Acts 20: 29 & 30)

The organizations of man, calling themselves, `church,` are not, but merely the scaffolding organizing meetings for the believers and unbelievers. And many do not adhere to that format of gathering together.