How Do I Find the Remnant True Church? (18)

There are over 40,000 Christian denominations, staggering! Is it confusing that there are so many Christian churches that teach different things from the same Bible? It will be clearly seen, that while God’s faithful believers are found in many walks of life, Christ is calling all of us to enter into one fold, or one church. Characteristics of the remnant, the true church will also be identified, to aid all true seeker to find it.

Is it Jesus’ desire to have a diversity of churches? John 17:20-23
“20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

What should be the same in all Christ’s followers? 1 Corinthians 1:10
“10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

What are the only unifying elements? John 4:23
“23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

So Christ wants unity among Christians, where then did divisions come from? John 10:11-14
“11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

Will Christ simply stand by while His sheep are being scattered, or where does He lead His sheep? John 10:16, 1
“16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. … 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”

What does the fold or flock represent? Acts 20:28-29
“28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” (See also Matthew 16:18 which confirms that Christ has one fold, or His visible church on earth, singular. Because Jesus has sheep outside the fold, and there are thieves and robbers inside the fold, “fold” is not a description of all true believers on earth.)

When the sheep hear His voice, what shows them the way to the fold? 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (See also John 1:1-2, 14, which reveals that Christ is the Word of God.)

Below are characteristic that would be useful in finding the true church according to the Bible.

#1 – What must the church be a pillar and ground of? 2 Timothy 3:15-16
“15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

#2 – What must the church keep? Revelation 12:17
“17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (See also James 2:10, which confirms that all the commandments, including seventh day Sabbath, must be kept.)

#3 – How does the church feel about Christ? Luke 10:27
“And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” (See also Ephesians 5:25-27, which describes the privilege of loving God, while 1 John 4:19 gives the reason why the church does so.)

#4 – How far reaching is the message the church is to preach and what is the message?  Revelation 14:6-7
“6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

#5 – In whose name is the church to teach and baptize all nations? Matthew 28:19
“19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (See also 1 John 5:7, which confirms the character of the Godhead the fully dwells in Christ, as Colossians 2:9 reveals.)

#6 – What does the church warn all the nations of? Revelation 14:9-10
“9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:”

#7 – What does the church look for with great hope and delight? John 14:1-3
“14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (See also Ezra 7:10, which inform us that His church also has heart preparation to do, so our sins can be blotted out that we may receive Him at His return as Acts 3:19-20 affirms.)

Because Jesus has other sheep outside His fold, where does He intend to lead them? John 10:16
“16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

By hearing and accepting Christ call to enter His fold, what call are we obeying and what dangers are we escaping? Revelation 18:2-4
“2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

APPEAL

Is it your desire today, to be part of a worldwide church that loves Jesus and believes the truth, that keeps God’s commandments (including the Sabbath) and preaches the everlasting gospel through the three angel’s messages?