Join the Church III - Spiritual Growth for New Believers

II. Differences between churches

Joining a church is the right thing to do, but which one should I join? Indeed, they heard the gospel from you, and they were saved through you. However, many people with clear minds will not assume that you are right just because you introduced them. They will consider: Among so many churches, which one should I join?

1. The Many Differences Among Churches

The history of the church spans over two thousand years. Throughout this time, churches have been established in various eras, creating differences in time. Churches have also been established in different locations, creating differences in place. Additionally, churches have been initiated by different servants of God, resulting in differences in people. Thus, we see three kinds of differences: time, place, and people.

Furthermore, because the Bible contains many truths, some people have established churches based on their focus on a particular truth. Others, focusing on different truths, have established other churches. Different emphases on biblical truths have led to the creation of many different churches. In a certain place, a particular need may arise, and someone may focus on a specific truth, leading to the establishment of another church. The key focus of that truth becomes the reason for the church's existence.

Given these varying circumstances, many different churches have emerged. How many are there? Today, there are more than 1,500 major church systems worldwide. These are not just individual local churches, but larger systems. For example, the Anglican Church counts as one system, the Presbyterian Church as another, and the Methodist Church as yet another. There are about 1,500 such organized systems. Brothers and sisters! Think about it—choosing which one of these 1,500 churches to join is not an easy task!

So, in the midst of so many churches and confusion, is there a way before God? Thank God, there is a way! Because God's Word remains with us, we can read and find out what His Word says about which church to join. Thank God, the Bible has already provided guidance for us on which church we should join. God has not left us in darkness.

2. The Reasons for So Many Different Churches

1. Differences in Location

Let's examine the causes of church division. One reason is differences in location. For example, the Anglican Church derives its name from "Anglican," meaning the Church of England. In other words, the Anglican Church originated from England and was the national church of England. However, an interesting phenomenon occurred—when the Anglican Church spread to America, it became the American Anglican Church or the American Church of England. When it spread to China, it became the Church of England in China. Furthermore, when the American Anglican Church reached China, it became the American Anglican Church in China. Thus, the Church of England from Britain reached America, then China, and became the Chinese-American Church of England. This is quite confusing!

Similarly, the Roman Catholic Church is essentially the Church of Rome. What significance does the Church of Rome have in Shanghai? It is disorderly for the Roman Church to establish churches in other locations. What is the Church of England doing in America? Why is the American Church in China? Why is the Roman Church in Shanghai? Why is the Shanghai Church in Fuzhou? Therefore, any church that originates based on location results in confusion.

2. Differences in Time

In addition to geographical differences, churches have also been divided by time. Because churches were established at different historical periods, they are not always connected. For example, in China:

• Nestorian Christianity (Jingjiao) arrived in China during the Tang Dynasty. At that time, Christian missionaries came from the West and established churches.

• During the Ming Dynasty, Roman Catholicism arrived and established churches. However, the church established in the Tang Dynasty was not connected to the one in the Ming Dynasty because they came at different times.

• In the Qing Dynasty, Protestantism was introduced to China, creating yet another church.

• After the Republic of China was established, the Brethren Church arrived, adding yet another denomination.

Thus, in China alone, there were churches from the Tang Dynasty (Nestorian), Ming Dynasty (Catholic), Qing Dynasty (Protestant), and the Republic era (Brethren Church). Even churches originating from the same place were divided by time.

3. Differences in People

Moreover, throughout church history, many divisions have occurred due to differences in people. For example,

• John Wesley founded the Methodist Church,

• Martin Luther led the Lutheran Church.

Thus, churches were divided due to the leadership and teachings of different individuals. For example, there are Wesleyan and Lutheran denominations, which arose from the influence of these leaders.

4. Differences in Emphasis on Truths

Furthermore, churches have been divided based on differences in the truths they emphasize:

• Those emphasizing justification by faith became the Lutheran Church.

• Those focusing on holiness became the Holiness Church.

• Those emphasizing the Holy Spirit became the Pentecostal Church.

• Those emphasizing apostolic signs and wonders became the Apostolic Faith Church.

• Those advocating for independent congregations became the Congregational Church.

• Those emphasizing elders managing the church and the authority of apostles passed down to elders became the Presbyterian Church.

• Those believing bishops are successors of the apostles became the Methodist Church, where a bishop governs each church.

• Those advocating for immersion baptism became the Baptist Church.

• Those originating from Basel, Switzerland became the Basel Mission Church (which had a presence in Guangdong, China).

We see that the churches around the world are divided into many different denominations, each with its own history and teachings. In such a chaotic situation, how should you proceed? If you want to find a church to join in your area, it may be quite difficult!