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Written by Barney Rehm
There are so many churches out there, and I spent years in three of the major Christian denominations seeking to learn more of God’s truth. Here’s the story of my search for God’s pure truth and for the church that teaches it.
Over the years, I have been a member of three very different, large, mainline “Christian” denominations. I even served as a pastor in two of them. I knew many good people in each. But I left each in turn when, in the course of my studies of the Bible, I found I could no longer support the church’s teachings.
Some teachings had no biblical basis. Others contradicted a specific verse, such as Matthew 23:9, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” Still others ignored commands such as those defining homosexual acts as sin (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Finally, I saw that God commanded us to strictly avoid all pagan traditions and customs, including those of Halloween, Christmas and Easter that had been adopted by mainstream Christianity (Deuteronomy 12:28-32). I thought, “Is there a church that does not celebrate these holidays?”
Is it important to find the true Church of God?
God commands us to assemble together to worship and learn from Him (Hebrews 10:24-25). He gives us His Church to help us grow and learn and practice His truth.
We must be careful that we lend our support to the teaching of God’s truth. Otherwise, we risk giving support to an organization that teaches false doctrine.
Does my church teach only the truth?
Though most people do not understand this, God tells us Satan deceives and rules the whole world (Revelation 12:9; John 14:30). The devil has encouraged the development of thousands of different beliefs to confuse men. He promotes vicious arguments and even wars between groups he influences, causing many people to conclude that every religion is wrong. He is the author of confusion, and his goal is to prevent men from worshipping God as He commands in the Bible.
Satan has influenced thousands of churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and charities to mix parts of the truth with lies. I had to ask myself, “Does my church teach any falsehood?”
What is God’s true Church?
Many claim to be the one true Church. But the Church of God is not a building or a denomination of men. God’s true Church consists of all who have truly repented and have received and are being led by His Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9, 14). These true followers of Jesus Christ will live and teach the truth of God.
God specifically defined how men must follow and worship Him. He has made it clear He does not want us to change any part of His law or have anything to do with pagan beliefs or traditions (Deuteronomy 12:28-32).
Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). He also tells us, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
So, what is God’s truth?
God’s Word—recorded for us in the Holy Bible—is the source of all truth (John 17:17). The truths that Jesus Christ is God and that His life, death and resurrection are our hope for salvation set apart Christian churches from other beliefs, such as atheism, Judaism, Islam or Buddhism. But most Christian churches today teach several falsehoods that come from pagan religions.
As God led me to understand more of the truth of His Bible, I learned that the day He commands us to rest and assemble to worship Him is the seventh day, not the first (Exodus 20:8-11; 31:13; Leviticus 23:2-3; Ezekiel 20:12, 20). I also learned that He gives us His feasts (Leviticus 23 and Zechariah 14:16-19) to remind us of His plan to give every human being hope for eternal life in His Kingdom. I learned of God’s true nature and His laws. These are some of the truths that set apart God’s true Church from all others.
My biggest regret is that I did not closely examine all I believed when I was much younger. I regret the falsehoods I helped to teach. I regret missing many years of great joy living God’s way and enjoying His Sabbaths and feasts.
My advice is, don’t make the same mistakes I did. Stop and examine what you believe. Are you doing what God wants you to do? Remember, God truly loves us and wants the best for us. He alone has the right to tell us what to do. But the reason He wants us to follow Him is so He can richly bless us, both now and in His Kingdom.
As a first step, take time now to learn about the celebrations God tells us to avoid and the festivals He wants us to learn from. Learn about God’s great plan for you in From Holidays to Holy Days: God’s Plan for You.
Barney Rehm is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in the Little Rock, Arkansas, area.
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