(Scriptures are quoted from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.)
It is sad and confusing that so many groups claim to be the only true way to God. The Bible teaches that"…Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." (Ephesians 5:23) The English word "church" is translated from the Greek word ekklesia, meaning "a calling out." So we know that the apostle Paul is not referring to a certain denomination, but to individuals who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior and have given up their own wills to follow Him. Hebrews 12:23 calls them "the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven." It is not necessary for their names to be written on a roster of a particular denomination. Their hearts must belong to Christ rather than to an earthly organization.
The members of the church are called individually. But those who want to know Christ more fully and serve Him with their whole heart will want to assemble with others of "like precious faith." (II Peter 1:1 – KJV) Jesus said, "…the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." (John 4:23) And He told us where that truth is found in His prayer: "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17) The true believers will harmonize the Old and New Testaments. The gospel was preached to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ("All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring." – Genesis 28:14) and will be fulfilled through Christ and His church. (Galatians 3:8, 29)
They will also believe that God is love. The scriptures and God's love will show them that there is hope for all people. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (I Timothy 2:5,6) "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (I John 2:2) Instead of adhering to "articles of faith" set up by an earthly organization, the members of Christ's church will base their faith on the scriptures.
Those truly seeking Christ will not be distracted by earthly pursuits. They will want to "do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10) Their work will be primarily putting away "the acts of the sinful nature" and cultivating "the fruit of the Spirit." (Galatians 5:19-26) They will all be brethren and not need clergy to rule them. (Matthew 23:8-10)
Finally, a Bible-based group will preach the times of restitution or restoration. Acts 3: 20-21 (NKJV), 20 "and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." Since all God's holy prophets foretold about the restoration of mankind, this is a very important doctrine.
Over a hundred years ago a Bible scholar wrote, if you are a dedicated child of God, you “have already joined the true Church. You joined it when you made a full consecration to the Lord.”
