Beech Tree News Network

Perhaps the most common attitude among “religious” people is the attitude that one church is as good as another. Many who believe it “taboo” to talk about religious matters will say words to the effect, “You do what you want to do and I’ll do what I want to do in religion.” Once the conversation turns to religious matters, some will cut you off saying words to the effect, “Just stop right there, I’m satisfied with what I have!” Friends, what does this say about people’s attitudes?

Let us take a moment and consider the consequences of the statement, “one church is as good as another.” If “one church is as good as another,” this says:

1. The name of men is as good as the name of Christ. Is this true? Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

2. The blood of men is as good as the blood of Christ. Yet, Paul said that the church was purchased by Christ’s blood (Acts 20:28). Is there anything more precious than the blood of Christ that purchased the Lord’s church (I Pet. 1:18-19)?

3. The foundation of men is as good as the foundation of God. However, when we study, we learn that the foundation of the church of Christ is Christ (I Cor. 3:11; Matt. 7:24-27)!

4. The will of men is as good as the will of God. Read Hebrews 9:15-17 and learn that Christ is “the mediator of the new testament.” As a result of His death on the cross, His testament is in force. Where is man’s testament that nullifies or makes void the New Testament?

5. The word of men is as good as the word of God. In truth, it is only God’s word that gives us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” and “thoroughly furnishes us unto all good works” (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21). What word/work of man (creed, etc.) could make this claim?

6. The organization of men is as good as the organization of Christ. Local congregations of the Lord’s church are scripturally organized when they have elders, deacons, and saints (Phil. 1:1). Has anyone been able to improve on this plan? No!

If you lost sight of your child in a crowd, what would you think of the person who said to you, “If you can’t find your child, just take another one. One child is as good as another”? Would this scare you, or would you think such a suggestion was “enlightened” and “fair-minded”? What if you attended a wedding, and the groom didn’t marry the intended bride, but another, and said, “One wife is as good as another”? If you have health problems, is one medicine from the pharmacy as good as another?

Friends, if we recognize the folly of such a suggestion with our children, a spouse, our medicine and other things, why do we accept such reasoning when it comes to the Lord’s church? One church is not as good as another. Our responsibility is to be a part of the Lord’s church if we expect to please Him (Rom. 16:16).

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167