Changi Chapel

The true Church does the work of Christ upon earth.

Its members are a little flock, and few in numbers, compared with the children of the world; one or two here, and two or three there — a few in this place and few in that – a few in this congregation – a few in another assembly.

But these are they who shake the universe; these are they who change the fortunes of kingdoms by their prayers; these are they who are the active workers for spreading the knowledge of pure religion and undefiled;

These are the life-blood of a country, the shield, the defense, the stay, and the support of any nation to which they belong.

This is the True Church to which a man must belong, if he would be saved. Till you belong to this, you are nothing better than a lost soul.

You may have the form, the husk, the skin, and the shell of religion, but you have not got the substance and the life.

Alas, for the ignorance that prevails on this point! Men fancy if they join this church or that church, and become communicants, and go through certain forms, that all must be right in their souls. It is an utter delusion, it is a gross mistake.

TAKE NOTICE – you may be a staunch Episcopalian, or Presbyterian, or Independent, or Baptist, or Methodist or Anglican or Pentecostal or Brethren — and yet not belong to the true Church.

And if you do not, it will be better at last if you had never been born.

J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
Bishop of Liverpool, England
Author/Pastor/A powerful Evangelist

Have you been often asked "To which church do you belong" or "which church do you attend?" – and your response can determine how you are assessed, sized-up and spiritually evaluated! While the local church or congregation you are a part of is a reflection of your spiritual values and priorities, the Bible requires we ultimately must belong to the Body of Christ – the invisible, indivisible organic Church that will eventually qualify to be the Bride of Christ.

Anything else or anything less will be spiritually disastrous – no matter what position, reputation or standing you enjoy in your local congregation or church.

Interestingly the Bible recognizes the church (ekklēsia) only locationally and geographically. In other words it is the church of God in Corinth (1 Cor 1:1) the church of God in Cenchrea (Rom 16:1) the church of God in Galatia (Gal 1:2), the church in Thessolania (2 Tim 1:1), the church of God in Ephesus (2 Tim 4:22), etc. It was the one church of God in that city – even if there were a few congregations in that location.

All the seven churches in Rev 2 and 3 only were referred to by their geography and location – and not as independent assemblies or as a denomination.

In the light of this confusion, J.C. Ryle’s writing is foundational, definitive and doctrinally correct. And should provoke every believer to minimize the uniqueness of their local church or denomination and rather celebrate more the invisible, indivisible Body of Christ to which each believer should belong!

For a full read of J.C. Ryle’s powerful piece on the True Church, click on the link below – and pass it on to those who boast, gloat or glory in the greatness of their local church or denomination – John B. Samuel @ Singapore 

http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/truechurch_jcryle.htm