So, You’re Going Back To Church (Or The First Time)

Since the assassination of Charlie Kirk Church attendance has soared. People all of a sudden are seeking religion, realizing that there is a spiritual element to life. They are asking questions like, “what is evil” or “why does God allow this?” The fact that Charlie died for his beliefs is having a huge impact. You might be one of those people.

A big question to ask, however, is how are people deciding what church to attend? Out of so many denominations, it is vitally important to consider what kind of congregation to join. What do they believe? All churches are not Christian. Going to church identifies a person as being religious, but not necessarily a Christian. Neither does simply being a follower of Jesus. If one follows Jesus because he was a prophet, or a great teacher, or lived a perfect life, they are missing the point. A person is a true Christian by accepting Jesus as their personal savior.

Now, getting back to church attendance. A church must be centered on the gospel of salvation, the resurrection of Jesus, and salvation by grace alone. A true church must also teach the Bible as its only source of authority, and to be taken literally as the inspired word of God.

Stay away from any group of so-called believers who adhere to salvation by works, a set of strict legalistic rules, teaches prosperity theology, or teaches a social gospel apart from the gospel of salvation and the cross. These churches can do more harm than good.

The basic tenants of a Christian church are the following:

• The Bible is the inspired word of God, and the only source of authority for Christian belief and how one lives their life. Some denominations use another source alongside the Bible. Avoid them.
• God is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is the son of God in human flesh who died for our sins and rose from the dead. He is the only way of eternal salvation. Some denominations teach that Jesus is a god. Avoid them also. If Jesus was just another mortal none of us would have salvation.
• The only way to heaven is by admitting that you are a sinner who has been separated from God, and inviting Jesus to be your savior through grace, not by anything you have done, but rather what Jesus has done.

”There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved”(Acts 4:12). 

“By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so no one may boast”(Ephesians 2:8-9).

”If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified and with the mouth one confesses and is saved”(Romans 10:9-10).

The things listed in this article are what makes a church christian, and one that you want to be a part of, to grow in your Christian faith.