The question of which church is the true church is an important one for Christians. At its core, it is asking how we can identify the church that Jesus Christ founded and recognizes as His own. Scripture provides some key pieces of evidence to help discern the true church that Jesus established.
The Church is Founded on Jesus Christ
The true church recognizes Jesus Christ as its founder and head. Ephesians 5:23 states that Christ is “the head of the church.” And Colossians 1:18 calls Christ “the head of the body, the church.” Any church that is the true church must recognize and submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
The true church also bases its teachings and practices on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It seeks to replicate His ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing. The church’s authority comes from Jesus directly, as He commissioned His followers to go into the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). The true church strives to continue the ministry of Jesus through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
The Church Upholds Biblical Truth
The true church upholds sound doctrine as taught in Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16 states that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” The church that Jesus founded will faithfully teach the truths of God’s Word.
The true church also emphasizes essential biblical doctrines like the divinity of Christ, the virgin birth, the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, the resurrection, and the Trinity. Any church that compromises or denies these core teachings cannot be the true church that Jesus established.
The Church Reflects Jesus’ Mission
The true church seeks to be on mission just as Jesus was. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commanded His followers, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). The true church works to continue the saving mission that Jesus began.
The church’s mission is centered on the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus told His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” The true church dutifully obeys this call to evangelism and discipleship from its Lord.
The Church Bears Spiritual Fruit
The true church demonstrates genuine spiritual fruit. Jesus said that false prophets would be known “by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16-20). Just as a tree is recognized by its fruit, the church can be evaluated by its spiritual fruit.
According to Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit includes “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” The true church reflects the character of Christ through these virtuous qualities. Where the fruit of the Spirit is lacking, the true church is not present.
The Church Has Christ’s Authority
The true church exercises the authority it has received from Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gave Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” authorizing His church to preach the gospel with His authority. The true church acts as Christ’s representative on earth, charged with faithfully communicating His teachings.
The authority of the true church also includes administering the sacraments or ordinances. Jesus commissioned the church to baptize new believers (Matthew 28:19) and celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19-20). Only the true church exercises these rites with Christ’s approval and blessing.
The Church Is Universally Unified
The true church reflects the unified diversity of the universal body of Christ. Jesus only founded one church (Matthew 16:18). And Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the importance of unity within that singular church (1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:1-6). Although spread across the world, the true church maintains a Spirit-forged bond of peace.
At the same time, the true church is made up of diverse peoples reflecting the multitudes drawn to Jesus from “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9). The true unified church affirms and celebrates diversity within a spirit of harmony and love.
The Church Is Holy
The true church is characterized by holiness in obedience to Christ. Jesus urged His followers, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). The church is called to pursue sanctification and avoid worldly corruption (James 1:27, Romans 12:2). While imperfect, the true church presses on toward the goal of maturity in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:12-14).
The holiness of Christ’s true church is powered by the inner working of the Holy Spirit. Through the process of sanctification, the Spirit grows the fruit of righteousness in the people of God. The church called out by Jesus and indwelt by the Holy Spirit will demonstrate holiness amidst imperfection.
The Church Trusts in Jesus Alone
The true church places its faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Acts 4:12 declares about Jesus that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The church recognizes that only through the atoning sacrifice of Christ can anyone be saved.
The true church rejects any attempt to add human works as requirements for justification. Salvation is granted solely by the underserved grace of God through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). Trusting in Christ alone, the true church finds eternal security.
The Church Perseveres Through Suffering
The true church remains faithful in the face of persecution and suffering. Jesus told His followers to expect mistreatment and tribulation in this world (John 16:33). The book of Acts records the intense persecution faced by the early church. And Jesus commended churches in Revelation that remained steadfast under oppression.
Despite severe challenges, the true church does not deviate from the truth or disobey Jesus’ commands. The patient endurance displayed by Christ’s church in hardship reveals its authenticity.
The Church Is Visibly Identifiable
The true church is visible and can be identified. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus called the church a light that could not be hidden. The true church openly and actively proclaims the gospel to the lost world. It is a city on a hill whose good works glorify God (Matthew 5:16).
While spiritual wolves may creep in with false teaching, the true sheep hear and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd (John 10:27). As Jesus promised, the gates of hell will not overcome the visible church He is building (Matthew 16:18).
With the help of these biblical criteria, the true church founded by Jesus Christ can be recognized. No one church likely fulfills all these qualities perfectly. But taken together, these key marks provide guidance in discerning where Jesus is building His church on earth. The true church faithfully represents Christ through its doctrine, mission, character, authority, unity, holiness, salvation, endurance, and visibility.