In the 17th chapter of John, our Lord and his disciples go up to the garden to pray. And in the beginning of the 17th chapter, it shows how our Lord prays for himself, and then, going down to verse six, we read how he prays for those disciples who were with him. Then in verse 20, he prays for another group of individuals. It mentions in verse 20, “I do not pray for these alone.” He was referring, of course, to those disciples who were with him. He goes on, “But also for those who will believe in me through their word, that that they may be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be one in us, and the world may believe that you sent me.”
It’s interesting to note that if you’re a professing Christian, the Lord was speaking about you. Think about it. Some 2,000 years ago, our Lord and Savior was praying for you. Here we are, some 2,000 years later, there are thousands of Christian denominations, each believing they are the one true church. You think God recognizes any of them as his representatives here on earth? After all, if God made just one church at the beginning of the gospel age, shouldn’t there be only one church at the end of that age?
It’s interesting to note that in the early church, people didn’t have names for their denominations. There were no Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Pentecostals, etc. The churches were simply identified by where they lived, their location. When the Apostle Paul would write a letter to a particular church, it always started out “to the church of God in Corinth … sanctified in Christ Jesus … called to be saints.” These were people who were set apart in various communities, committing their lives to God through the grace of his son.
The real church isn’t a building. It isn’t a denomination. It’s the gathering of true believers. Paul pointed this out by saying that our Lord’s followers were baptized only into Christ, not into any earthly group or organization. Ephesians 4 4-6 tells us, “there is only one body and one spirit. Just as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. So there’s only one baptism, which is into Christ.” Galatians uh 3:27 tells us “for as many of you as were baptized into Christ had put on Christ.” It’s a mistake to think that someone joins or is baptized into a certain church group or denomination.
The Early Church: A Model
When Christ started the early church with the Apostles, there weren’t any fancy rituals, big buildings, tall marble columns, choir lofts, or costly statues. Instead, there were just small gatherings in simple homes where his followers came together to think about his teachings and the messages inspired by the Apostles. Their example of the ‘simplicity that is in Christ’ was meant to be a model for future church gatherings to follow throughout the Christian Age. – 2 Corinthians 11:2, 3
The early church had small gatherings that were mainly made up of two parts: 1) the congregation — people who dedicated their lives to do what their Father in heaven wanted, following Jesus’ example; and 2) the under-shepherds — men picked by the congregation to meet the church’s spiritual needs: “…they had ordained them elders in every church…” (Acts 14:23). Nowadays, when we hear the word ordain, we usually think of a formal ceremony by a religious group, but that doesn’t really explain the Greek word cheirotoneo. It actually means to choose by raising a hand. (2 Corinthians 8:19) So, the church was supposed to pick servants who showed traits like faithfulness, humility, hard work, good behavior, patience, and more, as mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Since these people were chosen by the congregation, this method acted as a way to prevent a powerful clergy class from forming.
For a time, the church was independent and didn’t belong to any specific groups. But soon, some of Christ’s followers started to call themselves by their teachers’ names instead of where they were from. This is mentioned in the letter from Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:11-13: “For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Paul warned the brothers not to become divided, telling them to stay free from the limits that come from supporting any cause other than the unity that comes from thinking like Christ. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit…. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2:3-5
“Is Christ Divided?”
The Apostle Paul always warned that there would be ambitious people in the church who wanted to lead followers away to themselves. Acts 20:29-31 says, “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” These dangerous wolves caused problems, making the small groups split into different factions. Paul called this situation carnal-mindedness. “For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3) This spirit of conflict really tested the early church, as Paul believed that those who were approved by God would stay away from such worldly behavior. “For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.” (1 Corinthians 11:18, 19) So, God allowed these divisions to happen to help build the character of the faithful — those who would stand up for truth and righteousness against false teachings and practices that were creeping in.
Rules and Rituals Supplanting Principles
Over time, to bring together these different groups, rules, rituals, and required holy days started to appear. The Apostle Paul criticized these as just fake signs of being godly: “Why, as if you were living in the world, do you follow rules like, touch not; taste not; handle not… based on the commands and teachings of men? These things only seem wise…” (Colossians 2:20-23; 2 Timothy 3:5) Paul also called these pointless rules teachings from demons: “Now the Spirit clearly says that in the last days some will turn away from the faith, listening to misleading spirits and teachings of devils; telling lies while pretending to be good; having their conscience burned like with a hot iron; forbidding marriage, and telling people to avoid certain foods…” 1 Timothy 4:1-3
Because of these teachings from demons that were already starting, Paul spent a lot of his time teaching in the early church about the freedom we have in Christ. “Stand firm then in the freedom that Christ has given us, and do not get caught up again in the chains of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) “One person thinks one day is more important than another; another thinks every day is the same. Each person should be fully convinced in their own mind.” Romans 14:5
Sectarian systems keep their members together by saying that you can only be saved if you accept and follow the teachings (like rules and beliefs) of their group. If someone in the group questions the beliefs or authority of their specific church, they are often called heretics — enemies of God. Groups that don’t allow any room for discussion or fair examination of biblical topics are not following the Apostle’s advice. All Christians should have the right to look closely at and talk about their church teachings to make sure these beliefs can be fully backed up by Scripture and honor God. 2 Timothy 2:15
“The Head of the Church is Christ”
We should recognize Christ only as our Savior and the head of the church. “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) This idea of Christ being the head and the church being His body is beautifully shown in 1 Corinthians 11:3: “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” Just like the head controls the thoughts of the whole body, that’s how it should be in the one true church. The church, as the members of Christ’s body, should work hard to create unity by understanding what Christ thinks. By doing this, church members will build love and care for each other. “for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.” (Matthew 23:8) No one person should be more important than others in the body to lead the group. (1 Peter 5:3) In the one true church, there won’t be any class differences between the leaders and the regular members. Even though there will be teachers and pastors, they will help the group instead of ruling over it, because we have only one master and role model—Christ. “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:13-15) Christ showed us how to be a humble leader, and even though he could have asked for great respect or worn fancy clothes and traveled in beautiful carriages, or lived in a grand palace, he chose to show servitude by washing his disciples’ feet. Matthew 11:29
In another lovely picture, Christ is seen as the bridegroom and the church as his beloved bride. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word…” (Ephesians 5:25, 26) This image represents the one true church dedicated to one husband, who is Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2) The church has promised her Lord to avoid spiritual unfaithfulness. She will not connect herself with the world, worldly institutions, or the governments of this world. Because of this, Jesus was widely recognized as the leader of the early church.
Following Jesus were the twelve dedicated Apostles who had special authority to speak and write inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul confirmed that the Lord also gave other helpers in the church who would receive special guidance to assist their fellow members. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11,12) Each group could choose the best way to arrange their leaders. Everyone was to be guided by love and respect for each other, working together like a family. Romans 12:10; Hebrews 10:23-25; Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:1-7
In Matthew 16, our Lord warned us about the prideful attitude, “the leaven of the Pharisees”
“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the `best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:4-11)
The true church has happily listened to this warning from Jesus.
For the past nineteen centuries, the spirit of leaven has built high sectarian walls with big gates of worldly things. How do these proud systems with different beliefs appear to the Almighty? Why did He let the church get caught up in such unclean forms of religion?
“Come Out from Among Them”
“And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you…” 2 Corinthians 6:16, 17
The time has come for everyone in this pure virgin group to come together in real harmony — no longer split into different groups and factions because of beliefs. Revelation 18:23 talks about the sects that say, “The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.” We are living in the end times when the false religious systems have been judged, and it’s now the moment to “Come out of her, My people, that you be not partakers of her sins and that you receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4) These plagues are problems for the false church, meant to motivate those who are sincere but unsure to leave. The faithful should unite in spirit based on the teachings and principles of God’s Word only, and should now accept the freedom that Christ has given them from all human control and division.
This is going to be a hard test for the followers of the Lord as they try to break free from the chains of lies and different denominations. But, this is the exact challenge needed to prove they are ‘more than conquerors,’ since only these people will be part of the bride of Christ. In the past, this statement often required courage to endure severe persecutions. Nowadays, though, there’s no danger of being thrown to lions or burned for showing your faith. Still, the Bible clearly says, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) Yes, the risky times for Christians today are more subtle. Faithful believers are called extremists if they want to get rid of traditions, mistakes, and human ideas from their worship. They are told that these beliefs and practices have always been there, and it’s better to just accept what the church leaders provide. Most people will give in to this way of thinking and follow church teachings and society’s changing views on right and wrong. But the true church will rethink the teachings and stand firm on principles even when facing persecution, no matter what form it takes. They will be committed to truth and goodness because Jesus, their leader, loved what is right and hated wrongdoing. Hebrews 1:9
The one true church of Christ, led by real faith and the true teachings of the Bible, will come together in love so that they can all be united as one. (John 17:21) This true church won’t need strict rules to bring them together in spirit and beliefs because, as the Master said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The secret to this real unity is that every faithful church member is fully committed to God and His work. These people are born of the Holy Spirit and want to grow in their understanding of His good will and Word. But those who choose to leave and separate themselves from popular groups, as the Master says, will create a small flock compared to the many who are proud of their big groups. This small flock will shine brightly in the world. There is only one flock, which is spread out everywhere, but, “The Lord knows those who are His” and will gather them to Himself. Luke 12:32; 2 Timothy 2:19; Malachi 3:17
Trusting that God will guide us to others who believe like we do, let’s continue to study His Word, “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:13-16
Since the 1870s, groups of Bible students around the globe have been experiencing the freedom that Christ offers. We don’t belong to a large organization; instead, we have small congregations that operate independently but collaborate to discover and share God’s truth. Our meetings resemble those of the early church, featuring prayer, praise, and detailed Bible study to understand God’s Word better. We don’t discuss our own lives; our focus is solely on Christ. We only endorse what is found in God’s Word.
We don’t create laws, make any rules, or restrict anyone’s freedom in Christ; we simply share what the Lord teaches through the Apostles and prophets on all subjects. We don’t boast about ourselves or make any statements. We are happy to serve the Lord and His people as best as we can — asking for no tithes, no “honor of men,” no recognition of authority, and no payment; we just wish for the love of the Lord and all His children who have His Spirit. We should add that the Lord’s people are imperfect. We make mistakes, and as people who make mistakes, don’t expect perfection, because none of the Lord’s children are perfect. We have one goal and that is to serve the Lord and to serve one another.
Instead of forming a new group, we disregard all sectarian systems and their claimed authority; we only acknowledge the “one Lord, one faith, and one baptism” from the Scriptures, and we connect with everyone who believes in the “redemption through the blood of Christ.” We view as the true church all who fully dedicate themselves to the Lord, His will, and His service — no matter where they are… Ephesians 4:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:15; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 12:23
Even though we each work individually, Bible student groups really enjoy sharing their strong respect for the Lord and His truth with everyone. Our aim in distributing literature is to motivate other Bible students in their studies and to spread the peace and joy we’ve discovered through our research.