What Is the True Church?

In Paul’s letters, the word church is used in two different ways. There are many examples of the word church being used to simply refer to a group of professing believers who meet together on a regular basis (1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 8:1; 11:28). We see Paul’s concern, in his letters, for the individual churches in various cities along his missionary journey. But he also refers to a church that is invisible—a spiritual entity that has close fellowship with Christ, as close as a bride to her husband (Ephesians 5:25, 32), and of which He is the spiritual head (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 3:21). This church is made up of an unnamed, unspecified group of individuals (Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 3:5) that have Christ in common.

So, we can see that the local (or visible) church primarily consists of individuals who profess their belief, while the true essence of the word "church" or the "true church" actually refers to an invisible entity — a spiritual community that shares a deep fellowship with Christ. These are the ones who have undergone a transformative rebirth (born again), with God and Christ residing within them (John 14:23 & 1 John 1:3). This divine presence empowers them to observe God's commandments and extend love towards sinners, even those who hate and persecute them. Regardless of the physical building, denomination, or geographical location, these individuals collectively form the true church or the bride of Christ.

Note that the word church is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, meaning “a called–out assembly.” The word describes a group of people who have been called out of the world and set apart for the Lord, and it is always used, in its singular form, to describe a universal group of people who know Christ. Interestingly enough, the word church is never used in the Bible to describe a building or organization.

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God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ's church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.

Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city enclosed in prison walls. The glory of God has penetrated the prison walls, flooding with glorious beams of heavenly light the darkest dungeon. His saints may suffer, but their sufferings will, like the apostles of old, spread their faith and win souls to Christ and glorify His holy name. The bitterest opposition expressed by those who hate God's great moral standard of righteousness should not and will not shake the steadfast soul who trusts fully in God....

They that will be doers of the word are building securely, and the tempest and storm of persecution will not shake their foundation, because their souls are rooted to the eternal Rock.—Letter 108, October 28, 1886, to her older sister and her husband who had not accepted the Sabbath truth.

(Source: Upward Look 315.5-7)
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What is the difference between the visible and invisible church?

The Bible never uses the term visible church or invisible church. But the idea of the visible church versus the invisible church is a natural result of a biblical understanding of the doctrine of salvation. The visible church is the expression of Christianity that people can see: the gathering and practices of the individuals in various church buildings on Sundays. The invisible church is the true church, which only God can see: born-again believers, past, present, and future. Because not everyone who attends church or performs religious deeds is saved, the visible church includes unbelievers. The invisible church is comprised of the redeemed and sealed by God.

In some ways, the concept of the visible/invisible church correlates with the concept of the local/universal church. The difference is that the local church refers to one congregation who gathers in one building; the visible church encompasses all local churches, everywhere.

The visible church is easily identified by its religious trappings: church buildings, ministers or clergy, calendars, ordinances, ceremonies, denominations, etc. When someone says, “I go to Such-and-such Church,” he is referring to the visible church. When someone drives by a lake and sees some people being baptized, they are looking at part of the visible church.

To identify with the visible church is to accept the label of “Christian,” but, without a spiritual transformation initiated by the Spirit of God, the label is only that. Nominal Christianity fills a large part of the visible church. Demas forsook Paul “because he loved this world” (2 Timothy 4:10); Demas was part of the visible church for a while, but he was never part of the invisible church, and he eventually showed his true colors (see 1 John 2:19).

The invisible church, comprised of all the redeemed, is spiritual and heavenly and not of this world (John 18:36). As Jesus explained, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:20–21).

The invisible church does not need the physical accoutrements that make the visible church visible. Take away the liturgy from the visible church, and the invisible church will remain. Religious ceremony makes no difference to the invisible church: “Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation” (Galatians 6:15). Burn the church building down, and the believers still comprise the church.

The visible things of this world, including church denominations, church buildings, hymnals, prayer books, and pews, will all pass away because they are temporary (1 Corinthians 7:31). The invisible things of God will never pass away because they are as eternal as heaven (Luke 12:33).

In John 4:20, the Samaritan woman at the well told Jesus, “You Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” In our terms, the Samaritan woman was speaking of the visible church. Jesus answered by defining the invisible church: “Believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. . . . A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:21–24).

All of us should make God “visible” to the world in which we live, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). To do that, we must be part of the invisible church, “made . . . alive with Christ . . . and seated . . . with him in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:5–6).

(Source: Got Questions ministry)

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What is the Church?

The word “church” means, “those who are called out.” There have been many groups of people who have been “called out”. Many even which have been called out in the name of God. The Jews regarded themselves as one such called out group, built upon the foundation of Abraham’s bloodline and the writings of Moses. But Jesus said, “My church, My called out ones will be different from all others. How so? They will recognize Me as their absolute authority. As God’s final word.

This is why Jesus is “the Door” of the sheep fold (John 10:9). We enter the fold of His church by submitting ourselves to Him in absolute surrender. There is no other way, and no other qualification for entering the fold (John 10:9). Whenever anybody presents any other criterion as a requirement for becoming a member of any “church”, then it is clear that such a church is not God’s church, but must be a false church! The word of God is very plain on this point.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).”

“None other name,” saith the scripture. Is this sufficient for you? What about the name, “Seventh-day Adventist”? Is this the name whereby we must be saved?

The word of God makes it clear that there may be, and are various arms of the Christian church. Like some misguided Christians of today, the disciples of Jesus were at times self-centered and exclusive. They knew that they had a treasure in Christ and were anxious to keep Him as their exclusive property.

“John answered Him saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name and he followeth not us: and we forbad him because he followeth not us.” (Mark 9:38)

How clearly do we see here the spirit manifested by so many denominations today! The spirit which says, “we are God’s own people exclusively. We are Christ’s and Christ is ours (alone). You do not worship with us; you are not a member of our denomination, therefore you are outcast, you cannot be saved!” How completely contrary to the teachings of Jesus. “Forbid him not…”, was Christ’s command, “for he that is not against us is on our part (Mark 9:39-40).”

Certainly, God has only one church, for His word tells us that “there is one body….one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph.4:4,5).” There is only one fold. But let us be assured that this fold is not a mere denomination.

“Other sheep I have which are not of this fold,” said Jesus, “them also I must bring …(John 10:16).” But the fold to which He referred, was the Christian church. Standing around Him as He spoke these words was His “little flock”, His disciples. Those who then belonged to His fold. Those who then followed Him. But scattered among the Jews, among the gentiles were many other sincere and true worshippers of God who yet knew nothing of Jesus Christ; who did not follow Him, or belong to His fold. “Them also I must bring,” Said Jesus, “and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd.” What was it that at present placed them outside the fold? Simply the fact that they were not yet followers of Jesus!

To believe in Jesus, to surrender to Him and follow Him is the key. This, and this alone is the criterion for becoming a part of Jesus’ church and it is an abuse of God’s word when any denomination takes it upon itself to declare itself to be the fold; to be exclusively, God’s church. Of necessity, such a denomination must establish membership criteria which require more of their members than simply loyalty to Jesus Christ. (Please see Acts 19:3-5 ; Acts 16:31 ; Acts 8:36-38)

The fact that there is only one body, one church, must not cause us to lose sight of the fact that “there are diversities of gifts ….there are differences of administrations …. there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all ( 1 Corinthians 12:4-6).”

No single administration, denomination, or ministry, represents the whole of God’s work in this world. How utterly contrary to the scripture to even suggest such a thing! Through many different groups and ministries, Jesus is carrying on His own work and though some, like John, may seek to forbid the others who “walk not with us,” God’s work yet remains under the control of Jesus Christ, and no human apostasy may take away His place and authority as Head and controller of His own church.

(Source: Restoration Ministry)