Weekly Message

“Is there just one way to the Pearly Gate?”

From the Lighthouse of Iowa Bulletin )(February 2019)

(Part One)

In regards to salvation, a question often asked is, “Is it true there is only one Church?” Most Christians in the Lord’s church would say, “Yes!” without hesitation. But Pope Benedict XVI also says the same, as do all the Popes before him and after him.

Pope Benedict again stated this publicly declaring all denominations as “not true churches”. The man is not blindly dogmatic, but states the Truth. However, he encases that Truth with a falsehood when he declares that the Catholic institution is that “single Church of Christ”.

For one to discover the “one true Church of Christ”, we have no other reliable option but the Bible. There is not a more reliable authority than the Scriptures, else we end up on the endless road of catechisms, councils, and commentaries, none of them Divinely inspired.

Twelve Apostles but One Truth

In 1 Corinthians 1:13 the question is asked, “Is Christ divided?” The answer is—No. Jesus Christ commanded unity amongst His believers.

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. ~ Matthew 12:25

He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. ~ Luke 11:23

This presents quite a sad paradox. The Bible certainly preaches unity, yet our communities are populated with denominations that are utterly divided from each other. “Agreed to disagree” is a common way to put it.

But if just one of the denominations were to dare declare itself as the “one true Church of Christ”, then in the same breath, they would declare those they once called brethren, as heretics.

How can one explain and justify the existence of all the denominations purported to be Christian churches? How can we intelligently and scripturally accept the different names, the contradicting doctrines, the multitude of catechisms and books that go along with the whole denominational package?

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. ~ Matthew 15:9 / Mark 7:7

“We’re all on different paths heading towards the same place” is another common explanation. But the whole essence of what we see in the New Testament casts a huge question mark on that statement, if not outright condemnation. Scripture and even pure reason make it evident that Jesus did not give His twelve Apostles twelve different religions, twelve different doctrines, twelve different paths to salvation. He gave them THE (one and only) path to salvation.

As Christ said, “Broad is the way and wide is the gate that leadeth unto destruction and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” ~ Matthew 7:13-14