Every Church Thinks They Have Truth

by Van Robison

churches I have never known a church organization that believed that they didn't know truth. Virtually everyone has the idea that truth is what they believe and their consequent religious practices. Since all groups differ in some ways, it must be surmised that if what one group believes and practices differs from others, then the big question is which group really does have truth? Is it possible that truth is often times not really even the issue, but rather maintaining control, power, and the constant flow of money? Is it possible that power and money blind those who have power and money? Also, why are people very defensive about what they believe? Sometimes when people are challenged about what they believe, they become unapproachable.

Some churches are dead set that they are the "true" church of God on earth and all others are a part of the fellowship that will never see eternal life. That is preposterous, but it is the reality of the thinking of many. What all churches seem to overlook is the criterion upon which the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the gift of eternal life depend. Churches and pastors and clergy are not the ones to forgive sins, nor do they bequeath the Holy Spirit, nor can they give anyone eternal life. In life on earth, there is a great, overwhelming false emphasis upon churches. Jesus Christ did not come teaching, "Repent for the churches are at hand", but rather He said, "Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17)."

Truth is not defined by human beings or by church organizations or by professional clergy. Truth is defined by God and Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6). Almighty God conveyed Himself to mankind through His Son Jesus Christ who is the express image of the Father. No human being sees or understands the Father who rejects Jesus Christ, for Jesus Christ and the Father are ONE (John 10:30, John 14:9-11). It is ironic that many Christians defend their particular brand of church, none of which are Jesus Christ for Christ is Himself. Very often in the world of churches, Jesus Christ has been replaced with church stuff.

  • Being a Baptist is not the truth.
  • Being a Methodist is not the truth.
  • Being a Seventh Day Adventist is not the truth.
  • Being a Mormon is not the truth.
  • Being a Jehovah Witness is not the truth.
  • Being a Roman Catholic is not the truth.
  • Being a First Assembly of God is not the truth.
  • Being a Presbyterian is not the truth.
  • Being a Sacred Name Church is not the truth.
  • Being a Church of Christ (a 501c3 non profit organization) is not the truth.
  • Being a Worldwide Church of God (or one of its endless splinter groups) is not the truth.
  • Being a Children of God (David Berg member) is not the truth.
  • Being a Lutheran is not the truth.
  • Being a Greek Orthodox is not the truth.
  • Being a Calvinist is not the truth.
  • Being a Mennonite is not the truth.
  • Being a (you name it) is not the truth.
The reason anyone can know that none of the above are the truth, is because Jesus Christ nowhere ever said any of these organizations represent Him or the truth. Jesus said of Himself "I Am the Way, THE TRUTH, and the Life: NO MAN COMES UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME." Did Jesus Christ say that believers in Him will come to the Father through the Baptist Church? Have not millions of Christians been deceived and deluded by churches who control the thinking and hearts through man-made institutionalism? Here is what Jesus Christ said:
  • John 10:7 "...I AM THE DOOR of the sheep." Are any of the above "the door?"
  • John 10:8 "ALL that ever came before Me ARE THIEVES and ROBBERS: but THE SHEEP DID NOT HEAR THEM." How many of the above have "come before" Jesus in the lives of millions of people? Are they not thieves and robbers?
  • John 10:9 "I AM THE DOOR: BY ME if any man enter in, HE SHALL BE SAVED, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Is anyone saved by any of the above churches?
  • John 10:10 "The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I AM come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY." Have the churches come to give life more abundantly or to control the lives of millions?
  • John 10:11 "I AM the GOOD SHEPHERD: the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
  • John 10:12 "But he that is a hireling, and not the Shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep."
  • John 10:13 "The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep." Do hirelings care more for your money and control over you than they do you?
  • John 10:14 "I AM the GOOD SHEPHERD, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."
Would it not be rational to believe that all churches seek personal disciples that will become members of their particular belief system? If you become a member, then you are expected to adopt the beliefs and practices of that particular group, which invariably means you give financial support, generally through tithing and also submit to the authorities of the organization. But, did Jesus Christ teach that "THE DOOR" is the church organization that you are a member of? Have you been convinced that "THE DOOR" to eternal life is through your church affiliation? Has your church "come before" Jesus Christ (see John 10:8 above)? When I read the teachings of Jesus Christ, I have yet to see where He taught that non-profit corporations are "THE DOOR" to life or the truth.

Is your brand of church the truth?

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