• The Criteria To Determine The Right Church
• We must make our choice as to which church we will attend.
• God tells us which church is right.

• Introduction
• Does it make any difference what church we are a member of and work with?
• Is one just as good as the next?
• We are told by many today, "Join the church of your choice."
• The question we need to ask is not, which groups do I want to assemble with, but rather, which groups would God have me assemble with.

• Introduction
• Which church did God's Son die for?
• Jesus said , I will build my church.
• The church of Christ was built by Jesus.
• He did not say I will build many churches.

• The Wrong Criteria
• Size is NOT a sign of faithfulness.
• Remember the 12 spies who went to Canaan?
• The majority reported they could not conquer the people of the land.
• The majority was wrong.
• Jesus tells us clearly that the majority are hell bound (Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23).
• We must be careful of majorities, even (or perhaps especially) when it comes to religion.

• The Wrong Criteria
• Convenience can NOT be used as a determining factor of where we assemble to worship the Lord.
• Convenience appears to be a strong condition for many people.
• It may be conveniently located, however, if the group is teaching false doctrine, we cannot fellowship them.

• The Wrong Criteria
• Comfort does NOT make a true church.
• We all like a good atmosphere, comfortable seating, etc..
• If we want a comfortable place, buy a good chair to place in the living room.
• If we want a place to worship, find a church that teaches and practices what God's word says.
• In many ways, we have become spoiled.

• The Wrong Criteria
• Going to church should NOT be a habit.
• Some folks will attend a specific religious group "because they always have", or "because that's where mom and dad went", etc..
• Never should something be done simply because that's what has always been done.
• We must do what is right, and do it because it is right.
• Just because we have done something for years does not make it right.
• We must examine everything we do continually.

• The Wrong Criteria
• Some may say “I like the preacher”.
• This can be dangerous!!
• The apostle Peter warned of teachers who use flowery words and appeal to man (2 Peter 2:18-22).
• We must assemble for the message, NOT the messenger!
• All Glory and Praise should go to God.

• The Right Criteria
• Finding the right church is a life and death situation (Matthew 16:24-26).
• Sincere faith is not evidence of salvation, but rather, obedience to the perfect will of God.
• Jesus only established one church.
• Let us be sure that we have been added to the Lord's church, in the Lord's way, and that we are worshiping and working with the Lord's people.
• The Scriptures are the measuring rod.
• It establishes which churches are of Christ and which are not.

• The Right Criteria
• Has a proper relationship to Christ.
• He is the builder (Matthew 16:18). And note, He only built one!
• He is the head (Colossians 1:18).
• His doctrines should be taught and practiced (Matthew 15:8).
• He purchased it (Acts 20:28).
• Ownership is His, therefore ALL glory goes to Him.

• The Right Criteria
• Was established at the right time and place.
• The Lord's church was established in Jerusalem, on the first Pentecost after the resurrection (Acts 2).
• This was in accordance to Prophecy.
• If a church (religion) claims some other start, it is not His.
• Notice, for membership, God added to the church; man did not join, nor was he voted in. verse 47.

• The Right Criteria
• Worships according to the New Testament pattern.
• Lord's supper each Sunday (Acts 20:7)
• Free will offering on the Lord's day, not tithing ( 2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
• Music is vocal, not instrumental (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15)
• Prayer is given to God (Matthew 6:9-13; Acts 7:59), not to the 'saints'.
• God's word is taught (Acts 2:42), not doctrines of men/creeds (Galatians 1:6-9)

• The Right Criteria
• Teaches the same plan to save man that the early church (New Testament) taught.
• Faith (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17), a good start, but can't stop there!
• Repentance (Acts 3:19; 17:30-31), turn away from sins (Romans 6:1-2).
• Confession of Christ (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:10)
• Baptism for remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21)
• Live faithful (Revelation 2:10; 1 Corinthians 10:12) Don't fall back!!!

• The Right Criteria
• Wears a scriptural name.
• A woman takes on the name of her husband. Imagine a wife who chooses to wear another man’s name as her own.
• The Lord's church wears the name the Lord gave it (1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 16:16) church of Christ.
• Members are Christians, nothing else (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16)

• Conclusion
• It does make a difference to God which church you attend.
• You must attend for the right reasons.
• All the wrong reasons listed are because people want it that way.
• But God wants us to do what is right.
• Find the church that follows the New Testament pattern of worship.

By Carey Scott from an article by Penny Mae

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