“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) Multitudes go to church on a regular basis. They read and talk about select portions of the Bible and they honor the Lord with words. But do they really hear and obey all that the Lord taught, searching the scriptures daily to see what is acceptable unto God? Obeying the gospel from the heart in word and deed, as the apostle James said, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

Jesus gave a direct commandment to his disciples to show us what we should observe. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20) When will Jesus be with us? When we observe all that he commanded in the New Testament.

There are many church denominations and many millions of people who attend them. Since there are so many different names, beliefs, and doctrines taught, each individual must make a choice as to which one he or she will attend and believe. Some church leaders even tell their congregations that it doesn’t matter where you go to church, just so you go. They say doctrine doesn’t matter as long as you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. Let the apostle Paul answer. This is what he said to all who call themselves Christians.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Do all church denominations speak the same things, according to the gospel? Are they all perfectly joined together in the same mind and same judgement about what the scriptures teach and what they should obey? Do they all hear the word of the Lord when he said, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:4-5)

Some try to justify denominational divisions saying, “there are many members in the body of Christ and many workings of the spirit,” and this is true. But the body of Christ has one head and one voice, ”even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Ephesians 5:23) Then, if we call him Lord and we say he is the head of the church, why do we not also hear and obey what is written in the gospel? “That ye all speak the same thing,” meaning, be one in the gospel of Christ.

I have heard religious leaders say, “we may have different doctrines but we all serve the same God.” But the word of the Lord says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19) The New Testament is doctrine; it is the will of God, as spoken by Jesus Christ our Lord. To say that doctrine doesn’t matter is saying that the teaching of Jesus doesn’t matter. To say that churches can be divided in doctrine and religious duties is saying that Christ is divided. “Is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13)

“Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” (John 18:37) “That ye all speak the same thing.” This is truth.

There is one gospel. It can never be changed and divided. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8) Opposing doctrines are divided. Being divided means they do not all speak the same thing that Christ and the apostles spoke, because they spoke with one voice. If even an angel from heaven is accursed for speaking conflicting doctrines, where does this leave churches and ministers?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Notice “the Word.” Singular! And notice also, “the Word was God.” Then it is certain that the doctrine of the New Testament is still the exact will of God, because “the word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) His name is Jesus, “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:13) Where in all the New Testament is man given the authority to teach many opposing versions of “the word?” No need to look; you can’t find even a hint that this division is approved.

The only way to follow Jesus is to follow “the word.” The only way to believe in Jesus is to believe “the word.” The only way to preach Jesus is to preach “the word.” The only way to obey the Lord is to obey “the word.” Part of the word says, “that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you.” Is this what we see in religion?

It is not my intention to single out any certain denomination to defend or to put down. I have many friends and loved ones in several different churches and it is my earnest hope that they all find life with the Lord. It is the word of the Lord that is final, and the word is our only source of truth. It is our duty to defend the gospel and obey it, teaching others only that which is written. Not according to manmade doctrine but according to the “Spirit of truth.”

There is a belief among some church denominations that shouting, shaking, running and falling on the floor, and speaking in an unknown tongue is proof of the Holy Ghost. They say that the word of God teaches this and they in turn teach it to others.

There is another belief among some other denominations that this is not taught in the Bible, and in fact some of them say it is of the devil. Both of these groups say that their doctrine comes from the Bible. They all teach their doctrine “in the name of Christ.” But this is impossible, Christ is not divided!

Some baptize in water saying the words, “in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Others say this is wrong, we must be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Still others say it’s no longer necessary to be baptized at all. All these different groups say their doctrine is the word of God.

Some believe that there will be a time in the future when they will be raptured, escaping a time of great tribulation. Others say this is foolishness. And they all teach it “in the name of Christ.” Can’t you see the confusion offered “in the name of Christ?”

Jesus explains this, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:4-5). Take heed, pay close attention, let no man teach you anything that is not written in the word. Two thousand years ago, Jesus said “many shall come in my name,” and since he spoke those words many have come in his name, speaking many different doctrines. “Saying, I,” Jesus, “am Christ; and shall deceive many.” This is fulfilled today! Look at and listen to all the religious denominations teaching many different doctrines “in the name of Christ.”

Most people who choose one of the many churches do so because they were raised to believe the doctrine that their parents believed. Others search out a church and doctrine that they are most comfortable with. In most cases, the extent of their Bible study is what they hear the preacher read and talk about during the church service, blindly accepting all that he says without ever examining his words by the written scripture. Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name.“ Because an individual looks religious and sounds religious, doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she understands the gospel as revealed by the “Spirit of truth.” This can only come from the Lord.

Then, how can we find the truth and know the will of God? The spirit testified, “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” (Hebrews 10:7) Open the book, and “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

A person who diligently seeks the truth of the word is one who also seeks our Lord from a pure heart. Laying aside religion and doctrines and different interpretations and accepting only that which is written. Jesus is the word. When we find the truth of the word, we find Jesus.

Many church going people started on the milk of the word many years ago, and have never grown beyond their need for the easy to digest doctrines and beliefs. Never growing spiritually and becoming able to receive the strong meat of the word. The prophet Isaiah spoke these words, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” (Isaiah 28:9) “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” (Hebrews 5:12)

What usually happens when people are offered anything stronger than they are accustomed to is they become agitated and offended, and turn again to the easy doctrine of their youth. But Isaiah asked, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?” Not those that insist on having the milk and never outgrow it. But those who are able to partake of the strong meat of the word.

Then which church is the right one? Which name? Which doctrine? These questions are the result of religious division and confusion. But we can find the truth!

When the multitudes followed Jesus wherever he went, clinging to every word he spoke, where was the church? Not in a building, but in harmony with the words of Jesus. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (John 15:4)

When the apostles first began to preach the gospel, who were the ones added to this church? “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41) Included in the church of the Holy Ghost. Their names written in the Lamb’s book of life. Becoming one with Jesus in the truth of God’s eternal word.

Did each one choose a different church? Did they have a choice of doctrines? No! They gladly received the gospel, “one faith,” (Ephesians 4:5) “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (one doctrine) “and fellowship,” (in the truth) “and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

The church is not a building or a certain denomination. The true church of our Lord is within you, when you are born again by the word of truth. Then we are one with the Lord.

This is the doctrine that I offer. The same doctrine that was in the beginning.