How do you determine a biblical church?

Question

How can you make sure that the church you are attending is biblical.

If all of the churches can interpret the bible in a certain light how then can you be sure that you are going to the right one.

Second is the first question really a big deal. As long a sa church believes that Christ is the only way to salvation is that ok.

All other points of Dogma would be just style and substance as the core is the same.

am I right in thinking this and again how can an individual claim to have absolute truth when others with different views claim the same.

Answer 1

Read the Bible! Don't just read books about the Bible, but actually read the Bible!

See what the Bible says instead of trying to say It says this, but it means something else.

Read the verses in context! Most of the books of the New Testament are actually letters written to churches or people. Read them like a letter! Start at the beginning and read it straight through to the end. (Avoid bouncing around randomly.)

Consider who is speaking, who is being spoken to and what the setting is.

Try to determine if the language is figurative or literal.

"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11)

Answer 2

Everyone has different beliefs and faiths. So, what is dogma to one might be just fiction to another. The way to know you are in a Church that is best for you, is the way you feel. Are you comfortable with the members? Do you enjoy the sermons and teachings? Is everyone friendly and caring? Does the Minister teach from the Bible and is the theme for entering Heaven salvation by Grace thru Faith? If so, doesn't matter what denomination or religion it is, you have found a Great church that is serving God. Thanks, hope this helps. Have a great day!

Answer 3

Here is my view.

If you are Catholic, you are following the centuries of teachings and interpretations since the death of Jesus, these include the Bible as well as Traditions that Jesus started.

If you do not agree with the Catholic faith, it gets very slippery, since all other Protestant groups splintered off from the Catholic Church around 1600, each one varies in how they interpret the Bible, you end up following what a few men in much more modern times believe. It is then left up to you as an individual to determine which one has the correct teachings. Most people do not have the background to make a truly informed decision.

But those are your choice.

Peace and God Bless your search.

Answer 4

To your first question: you can't be sure. The only true original church is the one which Jesus founded on the shores of Cesaria Philippi, and that church is no longer with us.
Other true New Testament churches would be those in existence during the time of the Apostles Paul and John.
After the apostolic period, well, I don't know anymore, and you won't know.

Right now, every church is claiming to be the, or, a, true church. Some Baptists claim to have descended from the Jerusalem church. I find that absurd, because these Baptist churches claim sola scriptura (Scripture only) but when they trace their church they go extrascriptural.

No church today can prove from Scripture that they were descended from the New Testament church founded by Christ.

Even the phrase "closest to the New Testament church" in doctrine and practice is hard to use as a yardstick because of the many doctrines and practices that abound, and, again, each church claims to be closest in doctrine and practice to the New Testament church.

All I do is to "look unto Jesus", the Author and Finisher of my faith, and looking unto Him entails not only depending on Him but coming to Him in the beauty of His holiness and with all worship to His being God, and that means understanding His sovereignty, mercy, grace, and purposes in relation to my being a sinner.

If you depend on churches, you will be disappointed.

Answer 5

It is important to be in a church where the leader is lead by the Holy Spirit because you want to fix your walk with the Lord based on truth not personal interpretations or traditions. So learn to read the Bible for yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if you are in a church that is lead by the Holy Spirit or biblical as you put it.

Though others claim to know that truth, you have to talk with God about revealing to you in your life what the truth is. He will speak clearly to you and show you answers to your questions if you approach Him with a sincere heart and desire to understand. Conitue to ask questions and seek God in your life. He is the one who will point you in the right direction.

I want to share this with you. I was in a church where I felt the Holy Spirit was not truly sought and welcomed. I prayed and asked God about what to do. It was hard for me, but I left the church. The Lord spoke to me through a dream about which church to attend. I attended the church. It was miraculous. Something that had been done in the dream was spoken by the preacher from the pulpit the same day I attended the service. There was no way that the pastor could have know what that dream was about. (I had never spoken to the pastor nor did I know him.) My life begin to change while attending that church. My husband got a job paying 3x as much as he was making. My husband got saved. Now we live in a different place and we attend church as a family.

So I believe it is important to attend a Holy Ghost filled church where you are covered by God's anointing and you are growing in your walk with Him. Now we are also in a wonderful church where we are growing spiritually together and miracles after miracles have occured in that church. And we are growing in our marriage like never before and in our walk with the Lord. I hope this helps.

Answer 6

there are various that positioned god's be conscious above a preacher's - that's a private difficulty, not a church difficulty. A church has one preacher - it rather is as much as the guy in spite of if or to not settle for what the preacher says. after all, you are able to accept as true with maximum (or some) of what the preacher says, yet not all of it. Does that mean you do away with the preacher? No. Even in a 'democracy' there is usually a pacesetter. It does not mean you ought to agree a hundred% with the chief.

Answer 7

James 1:5
If you read about the first century church you'll find many attributes that show what Christ's Church today must have.
There are many scriptural references that I can send you if you'd like, just email me. One person has narrowed it down to 17 points that are discussed in the New Testament that show what the true Church must teach and how it must be organized and by what authority.

Answer 8

By studying history basically... You can historically trace all the popes back to St. Peter, see where the church originated, and that the church existed way before the Bible itself... You can find out what the early Christians believed and how they worshiped. It's all available to read and study. You just have to be willing. God bless.

Answer 9

I will tell you a little about the movement I affiliate with:

We believe that the Bible is our only recognized creed and fellowship is based on God, His Word, and His people.

We are a holiness believing group. By holiness, we are not holy rollers or tongues speaking people, By not being tongues believers we do not believe that speaking in tongues is the evidence of having the infilling. We do believe that this gift is still in existence today. By holiness we believe in living free from sin. Also we believe that Women are called to teach to both sexes, preach to both sexes, and pastor both sexes. We believe in women deacons. These are only a few things we believe.

Oh yea. Our movement believes in the Holy,

NOT

Roman, Catholic church. There is a difference. That the church that Jesus built and asked God to keep in His name is also referred to as "she'. I have said enough; at least for now.

Answer 10

No one can have the absolute truth. In my opinion, you should read the Bible yourself and figure out what you believe.