Brother Bob Pellien: The Bible teaches of only one true Church and that it has the name “Church Of Christ,” is prophesied, and believes the Father alone is the true God. 

You’re listening to the podcast version of God’s Message magazine, and today’s topic is “The True Church.”

Brother Bob: With the proliferation of so many different religions and churches, many people are confused and do not know where to begin their search for the true Church. On the other hand, there are those who have just chosen to accept the popular belief that all religions are the same. But how could all religions be true when their doctrine  and beliefs are not only different but also in conflict? The Bible teaches of only one true Church and that it has the name “Church Of Christ,” is prophesied, and believes that the Father alone is the true God. 

Importance of the name “Church Of Christ”

Brother Bob: The apostles called the true Church the Church Of Christ:

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.”

[Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation]

Brother Bob: Contrary to what many think, the name, as applied to Christ’s Church, is very essential, for no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved (Acts 4:8-12 The Message).

Since it is only by the name of Christ can one be saved, so the name of Christ should not be removed from that of the Church He built (Matthew 16:18). The name of the Church should follow the name of Christ Who built and owns it. Moreover, as the Church is the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18), the name of the Church must follow the name of its head. 

Others claim that “Church Of God’ can be read in other Bible translations such as the New King James Version— that it is the more accurate rendering of Acts 20:28. Such claim is wrong because the latter part of the verse states: “which he has purchased with his blood.” The rendering “church of God” means that it was God who died and shed blood on the cross. This contradicts other Bible verses that teach that God is immortal (I Timothy 1:17), is Spirit (John 4:24 Today’s English Version), has no flesh and bones (Luke 24:36-39), and therefore has no blood. It is the Lord Jesus Christ’s blood that washed the members of His Church of their sins (I Peter 1:18-19, Revelation 1:5).

The importance of prophecy

Brother Bob: Prophecy proves that the religion or church that has the light is the true one. Any religion without light is, of course, in darkness: 

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

[Isaiah 8:20 New King James Version]

Brother Bob The testimony referred to is a biblical prophecy:

… For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

[Revelation 19:10 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Are there prophecies about the Church Of Christ that emerged in the Philippines? In John 10:16, the Lord Jesus Christ prophesied  that He had other sheep. Christ called them His other sheep because they did not belong to the fold or flock at that time. These other sheep of Christ would come from the future:

I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd.

[John 10:16 Easy-to-Read Version]