Is There Only One True Church?

Several religions claim to be the one true church or the exclusive path to heaven. But what does the Bible say? Is there only one true church? And if not, do all roads lead to heaven? These are the questions we’ll explore today.

--

The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

Donate Now

--

Q. Is there only one true church?

Definitions

Let’s start by defining terms. Before we answer the question about whether or not there is one true church, we need to make sure we understand what the “church” is and what it isn’t. 

• The church is not a building.  You might say, “I’ll meet you at the church.” or “Our men’s group meets at the church.” But the building itself is not the church. 
• The church isn’t an organization.
• The church isn’t a denomination. 
• Ex: Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Assemblies of God

1. Southern Baptist Convention (SBC): The largest Baptist denomination in the United States
2. American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA): with a more moderate theological stance compared to the SBC.
3. Conservative Baptist Association of America (CBAA)
4. National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (NBCUSA): One of the oldest and largest African-American Baptist denominations in the United States, known for its emphasis on social justice and missions.
5. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. (NBCA) 
6. Baptist Union of Great Britain 
7. Canadian Baptists of Western Canada 
8. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) 
9. National Baptist Convention of Nigeria (NBCN)
10. General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC)

• Estimating the exact number of Christian denominations is challenging due to various factors, including differing criteria for what constitutes a denomination and the existence of many small, independent churches. However, scholars and religious experts often cite figures ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 Christian denominations worldwide!!

From Sys Theo, Lesson 10: 

The church is neither a building nor an organization. It is a people, the community of all those who stand in a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

• Ekklesia - assembly of the called out ones - called out by the proclamation of the gospel to gather around Christ.  

John 10:9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.

So, back to our question: Is there only one true church?

Answer: 

NO – in the sense that there’s only one institution/denomination that gets it right

YES – in the “C” sense of the global community of true believers in the basic Bible message

John 17:20-21 (NLT) “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

Ephesians 4:3-7 (NLT) Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

• Explain in terms of denominations

5 Doctrines Every Christian (Church) Believes:

• The Bible is God’s Word. Christians believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God, which is sufficient for all we need to live the Christian life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• God is three in one. Christians believe that there is one God who eternally exists as three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). All three persons are equal and eternal. Matthew 28:19
• Jesus is fully God. Christians believe that Jesus is both fully God and fully human as the second person of the Trinity. He has always existed as God, and the world was created through him. John 1:1-2
• We are saved by faith in Jesus. Christians believe that every person is broken by sin and in need of salvation. We are saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9
• There’s life after death. Christians believe that Jesus is returning in order to set up his kingdom and judge the world. Those who have trusted Jesus for salvation will live eternally in heaven, while others will be eternally separated from the presence of God. John 11:25-26

Analogies

I want to finish with three analogies used in the Bible to describe the church. Each of these word pictures helps us to understand the importance of the church… and being a part of it. 

The “Church” Is:

• The Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33)
• Ephesians 5:22-33
• Don’t talk smack on Christ’s bride
• “all their creeds were an abomination in his sight” - Joseph Smith
• As with any faithful groom, Christ only has one bride.  There aren’t many brides - there is one true church, one bride, the capital C church. 
• The Body (Ephesians 4:15-16)
• Ephesians 4:15-16 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
• The church doesn’t function in the most healthy way possible unless all of the parts are functioning. You have a role to play.  God has given you gifts to use for the building up of the church. (1 Peter 4:10) You might not think your role is important - it is! You might feel like the heel or the big toe - gout story. 
• Mountains are my church - there isn’t a stone, tree, or creek that needs encouragement, prayer, or fellowship from you, but there is someone in the body that does. 
• The Church is to be on mission - we can be united in mission even if we’re not uniform. The Great Commission is for all believers - the Church. 
• A Family (Ephesians 2:19)
• Ephesians 2:19 (NLT) So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
• As with any family, communication and connection are important.  The Bible talks about how we’re supposed to treat one another.  We’re told to weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who rejoice.  We’re supposed to gently restore those that are caught in sin - making sure we’re humble and careful not to slip into sin ourselves. We are to pray for one another.  We are to meet physical needs for one another.  

One more thing: how can you become a part of the “C” church? 

John 10:9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.