The Church Does Not Change

     I recently read the following passage concerning being a Christian that I would like to share.

“Paul was a religious man, but not a Christian. So was Cornelius, but he was not a saved man (Acts 11). The people of Mars Hill were a religious people but not Christians. All religious people are not Christians. Christianity is that form of worship and devotion authorized by the New Testament."
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            These words were written by my great grandfather, who was a faithful member of the church of Christ.  His message was written over 70 years ago in 1949, however, his words could have been easily written today. These words teach about the importance of being baptized as Paul and Cornelius were, so that one can become a child of God and a Christian. These truths are still taught by the church of Christ today, because the teachings of the church of Christ follow exactly what the New Testament commands, and these teachings do not change. The church is the same as it was when the first sermon was preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. Therefore, the message that was taught by Peter would still be true during my great grandfather’s time, and today as well, because the Bible is the Word of the Living God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.(II Timothy 3:16-17).
          Since my great grandfather penned his Bible study notes over 70 years ago, let’s look how several denominations, which are man-made churches, have changed their teachings just within the past 70 years alone;
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The Baptist church: This denomination, just in the past 70 years have changed their stance on including members of other denominations into their fold, which is a change from being more isolated among themselves in the past. The Baptist church has also included a more “contemporary” form of worship and more “relaxed” dress code during their services to accommodate the “younger” followers. Some of the “older” followers of this group are said to prefer the “traditional” Baptist worship and more “traditional” form of dress for their services, which has led to some Baptist churches having two types of “services” on Sundays, traditional  and contemporary. This goes against I Corinthians 14:40 which says “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

The Methodist church. In 2024, The United Methodist church General Conference voted to remove “discriminatory language and bans” related to homosexual people from the Book of Discipline, which is the church’s foundational text. This included removing the text in the book which stated that "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching"  This allowed for the Methodist church to appoint homosexual into their clergy and to perform homosexual “wedding.” Not all members of the Methodist church agree with the change and this has causes a major split in this denomination. For example, a Methodist church in my area have taken off the name of “Methodist church” from their church sign to show their disagreement with this decision.

The Catholic church A lady that I once attended church of Christ services with, was once a member of the Catholic church. She told me one time that the moment when she realized that the Catholic church’s doctrine” didn’t make sense” was when she, who spent most of her life being told by the Catholic church that eating any other meat besides fish on Fridays was a sin, was later told when she was a teenager in the 60s that all of a sudden it was Ok to eat meat on Fridays. This lady told me that at that moment she realized the Catholic church was not “the true church that Christ started.”
       Another change within the Catholic church is the shift from Mass being only in Latin to being in the local languages of its members.
       Yet another recent change in the Catholic church is the allowing of those who are divorced or living with a boyfriend/girlfriend to take communion, when in previous times, these people could not take communion because they would be living in adultery.
           These are just a few examples of how churches created by men will change over time, because people change. The church of Christ does not change because it has only one Head, which is Christ, and Christ does not change; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
            God gives us a Pattern to follow in the New Testament, and if we follow His Pattern, we will see how being a Christian (Acts 2:48) and a faithful member of the church that Christ built (Romans 16:16) is the only way to go to Heaven. Just being a “good person” or being a member of a man-made denomination is not enough to merit Heaven.  "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:22-23).
         Most people in the world would agree that if a person is asked to tell about an event and their story stays the same no matter how many times they are asked about the even or how much time goes between the telling of the event, then that person’s account would  be true.
            On the other hand, most people in the world would agree that if a person changes their story in relation to an even repeatedly, then that person’s account would not be an accurate one. This is common sense, and unfortunately, common sense often goes out the window when it comes to religious matters. Man-made denominations change their beliefs and rules repeatedly over time, whereas the teachings of the church of Christ never change, because the Word of God, which is the Bible never changes.
            The Word of God is simple and easy to understand. The Lord’s church is simple and easy to follow. God did not intend on man adding to or taking away from His Word, as denominations do, in fact, this practice is a sin;  ”For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19).
     My great grandfather had these questions to ask, and I encourage you to ask yourself these questions as well;
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“Where in the Bible is the name of YOUR church?
“Where in the Bible does it say that the church is not necessary for salvation?”
“Where does it say that one church is as good as another?”

       Only one of these questions can be answered biblically. Romans 16:16 states “The churches of Christ salute you.” This is the only church named in the Bible. Why? Because this is the one church that Christ built. Christ said “I will build MY church” Matthew 16:18, and that church is the church of Christ!

One last note from my great grandfather was this;

“I resolve to be a better Christian, and work to influence others to be a child of God.”

           Like him, I also want to work to influence others to become a child of God, which is a Christian. How can you become a Christian, and member of the Lord’s church, which is the church of Christ? You must Hear the Word (Romans 10:17) Believe that the Word of God is true (Mark 16:16) Repent of all sins (Acts 2:38) Confess that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 10:32) Be Baptized (Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:17-22) and Remain Faithful Unto Death (Revelation 2:10).                 Once you are baptized, you will become a Christian, a member of the Lord’s church, and all of your sins will be forgiven.  I encourage you, who are not yet Christians and members of the church of Christ to complete these steps and begin living the best life that you can here on the earth and the best life in Eternity!
 

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