In the last year there has been a resurgence in church attendance in the US[1] as well as the UK[2]. Surprisingly, this has been led by a younger generation who have become disillusioned by cultural secularism and even motivated by recent political events tied to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Some of these people are returning after a long absence, while others are attending for the first time. Undoubtedly, going to church is a positive step, but choosing a church isn’t as simple as typing “church” in your favorite map and going to the closest one. There are serious ramifications for choosing the wrong church since that can mean the difference between hearing the Biblical gospel that leads to eternal life or a false gospel that deceives and leads to eternal punishment. With this solemn consideration in mind, here are a few questions to consider when seeking the right, or more accurately, a Biblical church to attend.

What does this church believe?

All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Do the pastors and members of that church believe that the entire Bible is the revealed, inspired (i.e. God-breathed), inerrant, infallible, sufficient, authoritative word of God? Or do they teach only some parts and regard other parts as archaic, outdated, irrelevant or just plain wrong? All 66 books of the Bible are inspired by God and are the unmistakable revelation of truth. Jesus is the supreme head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23) and He governs, not in new revelations, nor through the wisdom of men but through His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit. If the leaders of the church you are attending do not believe this truth of the Bible, then that is not a church led by Christ or to state it bluntly, that is not a Christian church. Speaking of leaders…

Who leads the church?

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. (1 Timothy 3:1)

The pastor/elder of any church is a man, appointed by God, examined for office using the Biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9) and affirmed by the church. This is what the Bible unequivocally teaches. The pastor who fails to uphold these qualifications should be disqualified. The pastor should also be consistently equipping himself to fulfill his role through prayer and the accurate handling of God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Bible further states that a woman should not be in this role of pastor/elder and should not teach or have authority over a man (1 Timothy 2:11-12).

What do they preach?

I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

The church is described as a pillar and support of the truth. The building imagery illustrates the church as a pillar holding up the truth and a support or base being the foundation of truth. What is the truth? Jesus answers this question by pointing not to a field of study or to the teachers of His day, but to Himself (John 14:6). He is the personification of truth (John 1:14) and so a Biblical church preaches Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:23).

Specifically, this means that a Biblical church preaches the gospel or good news that through Christ, our holy, just and loving God redeems sinful and rebellious people for all eternity. A Biblical church calls on men and women to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation (Acts 16:31; 17:30). A Biblical church preaches that people who profess to believe in the gospel should be baptized and be added to a local church (Acts 2:38-41). A Biblical church preaches that those who are Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and live new lives in obedience to their Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5).

A Biblical church preaches the truth.

Why are these questions important?

I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. (Matthew 16:18)

A church is not just a building. A church is not just a random group of people gathered on a Sunday. The original Greek word for church, ekklesia, literally means the “called out ones”. The church is comprised of those who are called by God. Being called in the Bible has significant meaning. It means you are chosen and set apart by God and it means you are saved from eternity past, in the present and for all eternity. It means that once God saves you from the domination of sin in your life, He will not let you fall away (Ephesians 1:13).

A church that is Biblical, that submits to Jesus as head, is obedient to God’s word. This results in the Bible being the definitive standard of how a church should worship God on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) and how Christians who belong to that church are to live throughout the week. A church that is Biblical teaches and preaches the truth revealed to us in His word and helps us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ to the glory of God (2 Peter 3:18).

A wrong church or unbiblical church is no different from the evils of this world that you are trying to be shielded from. Make a prayerful and Biblical decision in selecting a church, so that your soul and the souls of your loved ones may be nourished to grow in love and obedience to the head of the church, Jesus Christ.

It is a matter of eternal life or eternal death. Choose wisely.

[1] https://www.crosswalk.com/headlines/contributors/milton-quintanilla/church-attendance-continues-to-rise-among-young-adults-in-the-us.html

[2] https://christianconcern.com/comment/gen-z-the-return-of-a-prodigal-generation/