Which church should I attend?
Jesus has given us the most important evidence of God’s true church in all of the Bible:
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
One should attend a church that teaches the undiluted truth of God’s Word, and most importantly, the love of God. Praying for those who would lead His church, Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:17.
While most churches teach a lot of truth, many of them do not stand for the complete truth. As a general rule, you do not go to church to find the truth. You go to the Bible to find the truth. And once you find the truth in the Bible, then you seek out a church that teaches the truth.
The Bible gives a few general identifications of God’s last-day remnant church—including, but not limited to:
1. God’s church will love one another as Christ loved them (John 13:35)
2. God’s church will keep His commandments because they love Jesus (John 14:15; Revelation 14:12).
3. God’s church will be attacked by the devil because they keep God’s commandments (Revelation 12:17).
4. God’s church will have the gift of prophecy (Revelation 12:17; 19:10).
Let’s take a closer look at each of these true church identifiers:
God’s church will love one another as Christ loved them (John 13:35)
If there is one characteristic that identifies God’s church above all others, it is this. Notice how Jesus states it when speaking to His disciples: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35. Love in the church—for the church members, and for a perishing world—is what motivates all true believers to live and even die for Jesus. This love lays the foundation of the true Christian church.
God’s church will keep His commandments because they love Jesus (John 14:15; Revelation 14:12)
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15. God’s last-day church will honor God and keep all of His commandments—even the ones that seem unpopular among the Christian communities. God’s remnant church understands that while they are not saved by the commandments, they desire to obey God because of His saving grace. The devil can’t have a bunch of obedient Christians disturbing his evil agenda, so he makes war only against those who keep God’s commandments. Why? Because of their dedication and loyalty to God. They will not keep nine of the Ten Commandments, but will live out and preach the truth of God’s holy Sabbath, as well! This church would rather obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
God’s church will be attacked by the devil because they keep His commandments (Revelation 12:17)
There is nothing the devil hates so much as a true Christian who loves Jesus and keeps all of His commandments. The Bible says, “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17. This verse tells us that the dragon (code word for the devil in Revelation 12:9) is angry with the remnant church who keep the commandments of God. So if you want to find God’s church, look for one who keeps all ten of His commandments because they love Jesus; but be prepared to face the wrath of the devil and his human cohorts.
If the enemy has set his sights on a particular church, then that must mean they’re doing something right. And if this is the case, he will impress his followers to do and say anything to make that church look like a false movement. He will work hard to distort their intentions and the message they represent, and he will do all he can to defeat the work God has called them to do, including the spreading of lies about them to deter people from joining.
God’s church will have the gift of prophecy (Revelation 12:17 and 19:10).
Because of their obedience and faithfulness to His Word, God will bestow the gift of prophecy upon His last-day church. We are told that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). All gifts from God are given by the Spirit of God, and if we desire to follow Him in all His truth, He will bless us with a spiritual mind to understand the deep themes and concepts of Bible prophecy. God’s true church will place a special emphasis upon the understanding and comprehension of Bible prophecy for the purpose of being prepared for Jesus’ soon return! They will teach it and declare it to the entire world (Revelation 14:6).
In conclusion, we must find God’s true remnant people who love God, obey Him, and stand for the truth in all matters. The Seventh-day Adventist Church fits all the identifying marks of God’s remnant movement of the last days.
For more information on this topic, contact 3ABN, or find a Seventh-day Adventist Church near you.