- God's true church preaches the gospel.
Rev. 14:6 (first part) Eph.2:8, 1Jn1:7, Jn. 1:12
- God's true church is a world wide, international, mission
movement. Rev. 14:6 (last part) Matt.28:19,20, Mk.16:15
- God's true church calls men and women to give glory to God
in their lifestyle. Rev. 14:7 (first part) 1 Cor. 6:19,20
1 Cor . 10:31
- God's true church announces "The hour of God's judgement
is come." Rev. 14:7 Matt. 12:33,37 Acts 24:25
Dan. 7:9-14
- God's true church calls all humanity to worship the Creator.
Rev. 14:7 (last part)
- The very basis of worship is the fact that God made us.
Rev. 4:11
- The symbol of creation is the Sabbath. Ex. 20:8-11
- God's true church leads us back to keeping God's
commandments that were given at the beginning of time.
Gen. 2:1-3
- God's true church leads us to faith in Jesus and obedience
to His law. Rev. 14:12
- God's true church warns against the false doctrines and
errors of spiritual Babylon. Rev. 14:8
- God's true church teaches the truth about death.
Rev. 14:9-11 Jn. 11:11-14 Eccl. 9:5 Ps. 146:3,4
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2007-07-30 15:48:42
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answer #1
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answered by bethybug 5
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The first Christians had no doubts about how to determine which was the true Church and which doctrines the true teachings of Christ. The test was simple: Just trace the apostolic succession of the claimants.
Apostolic succession is the line of bishops stretching back to the apostles. All over the world, all Catholic bishops are part of a lineage that goes back to the time of the apostles, something that is impossible in Protestant denominations (most of which do not even claim to have bishops).
The role of apostolic succession in preserving true doctrine is illustrated in the Bible. To make sure that the apostles’ teachings would be passed down after the deaths of the apostles, Paul told Timothy, "[W]hat you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). In this passage he refers to the first three generations of apostolic succession—his own generation, Timothy’s generation, and the generation Timothy will teach.
The Church Fathers, who were links in that chain of succession, regularly appealed to apostolic succession as a test for whether Catholics or heretics had correct doctrine. This was necessary because heretics simply put their own interpretations, even bizarre ones, on Scripture. Clearly, something other than Scripture had to be used as an ultimate test of doctrine in these cases.
Thus the early Church historian J. N. D. Kelly, a Protestant, writes, "[W]here in practice was [the] apostolic testimony or tradition to be found? . . . The most obvious answer was that the apostles had committed it orally to the Church, where it had been handed down from generation to generation. . . . Unlike the alleged secret tradition of the Gnostics, it was entirely public and open, having been entrusted by the apostles to their successors, and by these in turn to those who followed them, and was visible in the Church for all who cared to look for it" (Early Christian Doctrines, 37).
For the early Fathers, "the identity of the oral tradition with the original revelation is guaranteed by the unbroken succession of bishops in the great sees going back lineally to the apostles. . . . [A]n additional safeguard is supplied by the Holy Spirit, for the message committed was to the Church, and the Church is the home of the Spirit. Indeed, the Church’s bishops are . . . Spirit-endowed men who have been vouchsafed ‘an infallible charism of truth’" (ibid.).
Thus on the basis of experience the Fathers could be "profoundly convinced of the futility of arguing with heretics merely on the basis of Scripture. The skill and success with which they twisted its plain meaning made it impossible to reach any decisive conclusion in that field" (ibid., 41).
Pope Clement I
"Through countryside and city [the apostles] preached, and they appointed their earliest converts, testing them by the Spirit, to be the bishops and deacons of future believers. Nor was this a novelty, for bishops and deacons had been written about a long time earlier. . . . Our apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife for the office of bishop. For this reason, therefore, having received perfect foreknowledge, they appointed those who have already been mentioned and afterwards added the further provision that, if they should die, other approved men should succeed to their ministry" (Letter to the Corinthians 42:4–5, 44:1–3 [A.D. 80]).
Peace and every blessing!
2007-07-30 12:58:15
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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One. Holy. Apostolic. Universal.
The Catholic Church alone bears these four marks of the true church.
2007-07-30 13:53:09
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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They are not to be found among the current apostate 'brick and mortar' church. They are outside the camp, living very simple, off-grid lifestyles. They do not go to 'work' every day, but work the land, and trust in God as He meant us to do. They count their blessing byway of faithful and devoted spouses and children, faithful first to the Lord, and next to each other. They homeschool their children. They shun the worlds fashion, glitz and glamour for a different treasure built up in heaven. They pray, they study God's Word, they commune among like-minded folks. They barter for what they can, and have as little to do with the world as God allows. They are rare to find. I pray God blesses and keeps His remnant safe from the influences of the evil one. Amen.
2007-07-30 13:03:28
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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A church that follows God's word and not a mans interpretation. People in the church should be studying to show themselves approved. It should also be working to help others reach Heaven.
2007-07-30 13:01:01
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answer #5
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answered by Trey G 2
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Revelation 14:12
They keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. They also have the testimony of Jesus or the spirit of prophesy.
2007-07-31 00:37:27
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Follow Jesus and His word.
Doesn't accept men's or organizational doctrines that opposes the bible.
Preaches the gospel to the lost and tries to avoid squabbles about meaningless teachings and doctrines.
note:worthless doctrines that divide christians and waste time while the lost world goes without hearing the gospel needs to stop.
2007-07-30 13:04:27
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answer #7
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answered by robert p 7
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Doctrinal purity and the true Gospel. There is no other identifying mark.
2007-07-30 12:56:08
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answer #8
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answered by CJ 6
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Every church who believes In Jesus, God and praise him and lift his name up the way he should be I believe that God will love that church I Don't believe God has a certian favorite church different churches praise him different ways.
2007-07-30 13:02:17
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Praying and loving your enemies.
Mercy and Forgiveness towards all mankind
Persecution and suffering.
Never giving up on God
2007-07-30 18:31:53
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answer #10
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answered by Hello Kitty 3
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