Is it reasonable to believe that the true church(es) should not claim to be the only true church?

Question

Many times I have seen a statement like this:

"Only the false churches claim to be the only true church."

If the scriptures say there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism... does this not imply that there should only be one true faith (and that all others are in error)? If only the false churches claim to be the only true church, then what do the "true" churches claim? Do they claim that everyone is right, even though everyone's doctrine is different?

If a particular faith really was indeed THE true church, and was organized by God himself, I personally would EXPECT it to claim to be the only true church. I would expect God's true church to be bold, and to take such a stand. To say that any church is true, so long as it is focused on Jesus Christ, is in my opinion a very weak position to take.

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

My thought is plain and simple, for most people on these forums when they think of the church, there idea is

"a collection of like minded believers"

Sadly that is only part of what the Church actually is. The Church is not just a collection of people who all agree Jesus Christ is the Lord, the historical Church of Christianity actually had a hiearchy to it. Jesus appointed his Apostles to govern that Church with actual authority. That authority is handed down through Apostolic Succession.

If it does not matter which denomination you belong to, one has to ask this simple question: If one denomination is basically as good as another...

Why bother belonging to any denomination?

Christ founded a Church. Just one. The idea that each Church teaches a little differently and that the "Little details" such as baptism, or the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist are merely small un-important details is absurd.

What has happened is private interpretation of the scriptures is what lead to the division within Christianity. Once everyone claims that the Holy Spirit supports their interpretations, a new denomination was born.

For those who actually want to understand why there are denominations one should read up on history.

Answer 2

I agree with the premise of your question. If something is true, we should not shirk from expressing that truth!

The passage you referenced, “There… is one Lord, one faith, one baptism” is in Ephesians 4:4-5.

Part of your question said, “does this not imply that there should be one true faith…”

No, it does not “imply” there is “one faith”, it directly expresses it! To say it only implies “one faith” would be the same as saying this verse only implies there is “one Lord” or that the following verse only implies that there is “one God”! There is as surely “one faith” as there is only “one God”!

Today, however in the denominational religious world, there are many “faiths”! True faith comes by hearing the word of God! (Romans 10:17) Other “faiths” come from hearing the doctrine of men.

Time and time again, the Bible says we should not add to or take away from God’s word! (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19, Colossians 3:17, Galatians 1:6-9, Numbers 22:18, 1 Corinthians 4:6, 2 John 9, etc.) If we are “teaching as doctrine the commandments of men”, then our worship is “vain”, or useless, in God’s eyes! (Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7)

If we follow only the Bible, then we will become Christians – nothing more, nothing less, nothing else! I have a book that’s title (and content) expresses this idea. It is called “The Bible Only Makes Christians Only and the Only Christians!”

The Bible never teaches that we should be hyphen-named, denominational Christians! In fact the Bible speaks against it! (1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 1 Corinthians 3:1-4)

Back to Ephesians 4, verse 4 says there is “one body”! Just as sure as there is “one Lord” and “one God”, there is “one body”!

What is the body? Ephesians 1:22-23 say, “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body…” The church is the Body!

Colossians 1:18 says, “And he is the head of the body, the church”. Colossians 1:24 says, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” These verses say the body is the church!

The body is the church; the church is the body. They refer the same thing in these verses.

Again, how many bodies are there? Just one! So, if there is only “one body” and the body is the church, how many churches are there (according to the Bible, the Word of God)? One must come to the realization that there is only one!

One church approved of in God’s word. Are you a member of it! Search the scriptures! (Acts 17:11)

Answer 3

"If a particular faith really was indeed THE true church, and was organized by God himself, I personally would EXPECT it to claim to be the only true church. I would expect God's true church to be bold, and to take such a stand."

Yes, I agree 100%. I would also expect them to have proof of their claim, since without proof anyone can make the same claim.

The Church that IS God's true Church and DOES have the proof is the Roman Catholic Church. Everything else, in one aspect or another, is false.

Answer 4

God says in His word. "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free"
God did create one faith. You know its hard to say, I dont want to defend a denomination but God Created the World in 6 days and rested on the 7th Day Sabbath. They believe in the Son of God, The Sabbath, The Holy Scriptures, The Trinity, The Crucifixion, The Holy Spirit, Creation, Son of Man, Nature of man, The Great Controversy, Life, death and ressurection of Christ, Salvation, Growing in Christ, Church, Unity and body of Christ, the remnant and its mission,Baptism by immersion, The Lords supper, Spiritual Gifts, prophecy, Law of God and the Sabbath.

Why is this? Because God created, commanded us to form a church that is remnant and true to His word. This was organised by God and stated in the bible. I would like you to look up the website I have provided you, I hope that Gives you a clear view and understanding of a true church.

Answer 5

Remember In the Church there are Essentials and Non-essentials
Examples: Gifts, musical style or style of worship, pre, mid, post tribulation. some Churches can have a degree of difference.
But on the Essentials Like The Deity of Christ,The virgin birth, the Redemptive work of Christ on the cross. And salvation by grace through faith we can not compromise.

The Church can be a handful of people to a great multitude.

Answer 6

i admit i may be wrong on this one because the only thing i have to go by is what ive learned from my own church. First, you use the term Churches, but i think you mean denominations. I believe there are only a couple that claim their way is the right way, Catholics, baptists (maybe) and mormons. The rest do not teach that, Im methodist and have never heard those words uttered or anything close to it of being the one true church. Lutherans, Friends, Quaker, pentecostal etc do not teach that either

really there isnt that much difference between the denominations. The main one between Catholics and protestants is that Catholics believe that the Communion (eating bread, drinking wine) is actually the body and blood of christ whereas protestants believe it is ment to be symbolic of the blood and body of Christ. But all of us believe in Christ as our saviour and that he died to save us

Answer 7

Since men are not perfect the different groups fight over some of the teachings in scripture, but the core of our faith is solid as long as we believe that we are saved by faith in Christ. That His sacrifice payed our debt of sin and that we can heartily trust in His promise. I live for Christ and I would love to know the meanings of His teachings perfectly, but I am not perfect and Jesus already forgave me for that.

Answer 8

Catholic Church originated from Peter, so it got here from the precise Disciple of God, no rely in case you pick it or no longer, Catholic is the only genuine faith, possibly some clergymen and Nuns can shame it in some techniques by ability of no longer behaving as they could desire to, additionally whilst we are saying the Pope is Infallible, does not propose that he does not sin, a minimum of he tries to no longer

Answer 9

>>I personally would EXPECT it to claim to be the only true church. I would expect God's true church to be bold, and to take such a stand.<<

I totally agree.

Answer 10

Upon this rock I will build my church, quite a statement wouldn't you agree, that's where it all began and that is where the money "TREE" also began I believe it's called "GREED" and the rest is simply history, It's ironic that God has never been found among all those scammed millions of dollars that religion has created.