Which Church Is True?

Have you ever wondered why there are so many religions and denominations? Have you ever wondered which one is true?

As a child I was born and raised Catholic. I remember my grandmother saying the rosary everyday. She was a devout Catholic and went to church even during the week (I think it was twice a week) and then on Sundays and would sit at the very front. She wore a brown mid-length dress which was an indication that she was a “Christian Mother.” We as a family, went to church every Sunday but as a teenager if we went separately, dad knew what time each church started mass so he knew if we were late by what time we left the house. So if that happened, we had to attend another mass service. Growing up with a religious mom, it was inevitable that dad would serve as an Alter boy. So did his brother. We never questioned anything about it our religion. We went because that’s what we were taught. I do remember talking to God and praying that I would never go through a war. I had never prayed that way before, not even IN mass. I would just recite the Hail Mary and Our Father and whatever else was in the mass. I didn’t even pay attention to the priest’s sermon. It was more like, “I want to go to such and such church because I like the choir, or that priest didn’t take long.” The only time I can remember any discussion about the Bible was with a couple of friends who told me that they read that the devil’s people would have the number 666 written on their foreheads at the end of the world.

As time went on I just lived my life.There were no questions to ask or even think about. Eventually I moved to Europe (after my dad passed away) and finished high school there. Shortly after I graduated I got married but the whole time I wasn’t going to church. When I got pregnant with my first child, I told my husband that we’re going to start. I wanted religion to be important in my child’s life. So we did. Then we moved back to Guam and moved in with my in-laws who didn’t attend church. With us going, they were motivated and started following us. I was so into mass, joined the choir, sat in the front pew. I enjoyed going every Sunday. At one time I went to the early morning mass with the intention of becoming a Christian Mother, just like my grandmother but never became one and I can’t remember why? Then I got pregnant with my second child and I begged God to make sure he/she was healthy. I was a smoker, sadly. And I made a promise that I would quit or something of that nature which I did not fulfill. 🙁 🙁 Knowing what I know now, I should’ve never made that promise even though I wasn’t a Christian yet. I was so scared that I would have a disabled child because I could not quit so I began to say the Rosary every night to make up for it. And I’ll tell you, I really meant it! I felt my prayers! And I took my time with it to make sure God heard me and that he knew I meant it.

Years went by and I had another child. I was already doing “godly” things like going to church with my family, singing with the choir on Sunday mornings, showing up to rosaries and novenas. The kids were going to a Christian private school. Life was fine. I had no fears and I thought I was a good person. But then Amway came along and we started going to the meetings and functions and we were really devoted to building our network. At a few of these functions we met some “godly” people which exposed me to a different kind of praying. One of them was our down-line who was a Pastor and he invited us to attend a church service one night so we did, at my insistence. Even though my kids attended a Christian school we never got invited (or maybe I just didn’t pay attention) to a service before and no one had ever talked to me about salvation, which is why I want to tell the world, by the way. All we did was go in the office to make a payment and then drop or pick up the kids in a drive through line. Anyway I got excited that night but my husband felt attacked so I didn’t want to show my real feelings since there was already some tension growing in the group because of religion. At about the same time our up-line spoke at a function. Afterwards we formed a circle and all held hands while they prayed. I was moved!! I never heard anyone pray like that! It was the most beautiful prayer I ever heard! This made the walls go up even more for my husband. We argued so bad about it. He wanted to prove them wrong so we went to see a priest to get some validation. With what I know now, it still gets me how he answered those questions. Anyway I was done arguing about it so I left it alone and considered myself a “Christian-Catholic” even while knowing that something just wasn’t right.

Fast forward years later when my oldest daughter was born. I bumped into an old friend. She was skinny! And I wanted to know how she did it. When she told me it was through a Bible program I was surprised. Well I mentioned to my husband that I wanted to sign up. “Okay,” he said, “just don’t get into that ‘wanting to change your religion thing’ again.” I was so happy! So I signed up and boy, what a class that was! I really did lose weight, about 30 pounds and I felt so good because I was reading scripture and getting into the Bible. One day I asked the ladies in class how do you know if you want to be a Christian? “Oh, you’ll know because the Spirit will move you.” I wanted scripture but believe it or not, the Pastor’s wife didn’t know any! Neither did the others. But hey, they were “nice” people! Nevertheless, I started attending worship services there and then going back and forth to the Catholic church. Meanwhile there was a lot of arguing between me and my husband. When the class was over I was still so confused! I wanted to be a Christian but I didn’t know how. I would pray but nothing was moving me. At one service (the Baptist church) I was waiting to be moved by the Spirit. I never was but I went up to the front anyway, during the alter call. I told the Pastor I wanted to be baptized. He said we would meet after service and talk. We did. And he just told me that I was not ready. That it was a serious decision. That I had to be committed. That I had to wait. Ok.

Well, I realize now that God heard my prayers and he was orchestrating this the whole time. I got invited to another Bible study with another old friend. We studied through video. On that video was Max Lucado. “Max Lucado is Church of Christ?”, I asked. I was so shocked! But for some reason I was so happy because I remember listening to him on the radio every morning when I would drop my kids to school. I loved him! He was a big part of me wanting to be a Christian. Anyway, at some point during all my confusion I remember going home and praying, “But Lord, how do I KNOW which church is the right one?” I liked worshiping at the Baptist church but something still wasn’t right. At the same time I wanted to be “submissive” to my husband by NOT converting because that’s what I was told. Like, that doesn’t even make sense to me now whatsoever! It’s an individual decision and no one can make it for you. So I was torn between pleasing my husband and getting saved.

Soon I got invited to a Ladies Retreat and that was when I met a Greek lady named Diana. We went through the retreat, had dinner. While I was in the line to get food, she asked me 2 simple questions:

The 1st question: “Are you a Christian?”

My answer: “I think I am because I accepted Jesus in my heart.”

She smiled.

The 2nd question: “Do you want to do a Bible study with me?”

Me: “YES!”

And we did. It was one of the highest points of my life! Every single question I had she took me through scripture to answer it! I was getting fed! I was getting all my questions answered! It all made SENSE! And that was when I knew which church is the right one. The Church of Christ. Yes, He has His own church. It’s the ONLY one mentioned in the Bible! Don’t believe me? Let us read:

(Romans) 16.16 “Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.”

I mean think about it, why would God want us to follow him but yet make us all confused by creating so many different denominational religions?

He is not a God of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14.33)

And for those who call themselves “Christians”, why do some of them go to a “non-denominational” church, yet it is denominational? And for other religions, why do they attach the word “Christian” to their religious name? It is only the true followers of Christ that bears that name.

1 Peter 4:16 “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name“

And why would anything and everything, the way we worship and what we worship, be OKAY, be allowed?! It doesn’t add up. People say there’s only one God but worship the way they want. And they don’t realize that scripture says that:

“even the demons know that there is only one God, and they tremble with fear.” (James 2.19)

Looking back, God was orchestrating the whole thing! I went through all that so that he could close those doors and lead me to the right one. And once I was there, there was no stopping me! So after asking God which church is right, and just praying for a sign, I opened the Bible and read this scripture:

Acts 22:16 “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”

I mean, how much clearer can it get???

So I got up, I called Diana and told her I wanted to be baptized. It was 10 a.m. On a Tuesday. She said, “Ok, let me call Homer.”

Now let me explain a bit here. In the Church of Christ, there is no hierarchy, we are just “brother” or “sister”, the head of the church is Christ and we get our “rules” from the Bible only. So Homer was the minister (not a preacher, pastor or priest) at that time. He was living on Guam only temporarily because he was in the military. No one can say that God didn’t orchestrate my baptism because Homer was OFF that day! Like I said, that day was a Tuesday and Homer was in the military but he was OFF! What are the odds? I believe it was a divine appointment.

Anyway, I got on the phone, called my husband and told him, “I’m getting baptized and I’m inviting you to come.” Oh, he was mad! But like I said, no one was going to stop me! Once I knew the truth, I knew what I had to do! So we all met at the beach, (I had no idea that other members of the congregation would be there also. Thinking back, they were there to witness MY baptism), I went into the water and was baptized by Homer, and came out a brand new person! Covered in the blood of Jesus! I couldn’t believe how simple it was! All I know was that prior to getting baptized, there was a sense of urgency that I felt, and I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way. Well, this is my story of how I became a Christian and how I came to know the truth.

Christ Jesus said,

“Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

And boy, did I feel free! I can’t explain that freedom except that I felt lighter. Like I had no burdens. Like I WAS LITERALLY BORN AGAIN!

Friends, I hope you’ll take the time to search the truth. Like really search. There are false teachers out there. Many of them. They speak so smoothly and sound so graceful and loving and motivating. Be careful! Scripture teaches that:

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 2.4

And this is how most people are living. They don’t want to stop sinning and living their lives the way they want so they’ll listen to whoever says what they want to hear. Something that will validate the wrong they are doing. They know they’re wrong but they don’t want to hear that. They want someone to tell them it’s okay, that God doesn’t mind, that they will still go to heaven.

Friends, this is false!

”But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” Matthew 7.14

Please search the scriptures and test the spirits.

“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” 1 John 4.1

I am not making this up! It’s in the Scriptures!

God has spoken.

Let us listen.

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2.7

I hope you’ll come to know Christ.

He loves you.

He wants you to be saved.

He wants you to go to heaven.

He’s waiting.

He wants you to MAKE IT!

He’s knocking on your door. Just let him in.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3.20

“You will be my people, and I will be your God.” Jeremiah 30.22

That church today still exists. The Church of Christ. When you see it the only thing you will see is the location before it. As an example it will often read like this: Northeast Church of Christ. Oftentimes the motto will be “The Church of Christ meets here” and then will have the days and times of Bible study and Worship services.

And last but not least, this church, The Church of Christ, is mentioned in the Bible:

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16.18

So there it is friends, the answer to which church is the true one?

Unfortunately, many people have a problem with this. Some even within the church. But read and ponder on the next few Scriptures:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7.21

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Matthew 7.13-14

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them–bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Peter 2.1

Friends, I beg you, PLEASE don’t take my word for it. Study the Scriptures above. Ask questions. Test everything. Search for God. Look to Him. Open your heart to Him. He knows your heart and will lead you into His kingdom.

Regarding God knowing your heart, consider the following scriptures about Balaam who seemed to be obedient in front of people but not in his heart. Numbers 22-24, 2 Peter 2.15-16

Then after that, go here and obey the Gospel:

https://lifeandliftedhands.com/category/the-plan-of-salvation-the-gospel-of-jesus/

For Scripture I am using the New Living Translation, The New International Version, and The New King James Version.

Oh and btw, if you have time check out the things I have for sale in my Ecwid store! Click on “store” on the menu above.

THANKS FOR VISITING!