One True Church

One True Church

Introduction
Scripture reveals a single body under a single Head. We ask whether there is one true church and how to recognize it by the New Testament pattern (Ephesians 4:4–6; Ephesians 1:22–23; Acts 2:41–47).

Right and Wrong in Religion
In a senior English class discussion on religion, I affirmed that the Bible presents one true church that belongs to Christ. Before answering whether there is one right church, we must ask whether God distinguishes truth from error. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Paul warned that even if an apostle or an angel preached a different gospel, that message stands accursed (Galatians 1:8). Peter taught that false teachers would arise and bring destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1–2). Jesus declared that every plant the Father has not planted will be uprooted (Matthew 15:13). God calls His people to discernment because truth and error both exist in the religious world.

The Gospel’s Exclusives
Unity in Christ rests on revealed singularities. Paul lists seven “ones”: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father (Ephesians 4:4–6). These are unique realities that anchor Christian unity.

One Body, One Church
God “put all things under [Christ’s] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body” (Ephesians 1:22–23). If the body is one, then the church is one. Scripture presents a single body under a single Head; the identity of Christ’s church flows from His authority and His gospel.

Apostolic Proclamation and Exclusivity
In Ephesus, Demetrius charged that Paul persuaded many to turn from idols, harming the idol trade (Acts 19:23–27). Apostolic preaching called people from false worship to the living God. The same gospel summons all people into the one body of Christ.

Misconceptions About the Church
When Jesus asked, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” many placed Him in familiar categories—John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or a prophet (Matthew 16:13–16). People do something similar with the church when they place it within denominational categories simply because some activities appear similar. Similarity does not establish identity. The New Testament church is identified by submission to Christ’s headship and the apostles’ teaching.

What the Church Is
On Pentecost, those who gladly received the word were baptized; “about three thousand souls were added,” and the Lord “added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:41, 47). The church is the assembly of the saved—those whom the Lord adds through obedient faith.

Recognizing the Lord’s Church Today
Believers conduct all things “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). The mark of the Lord’s church is adherence to apostolic doctrine in message, worship, organization, and life. The plea is simple: be Christians according to the New Testament, honoring Christ’s headship and His pattern.

Entering the One Body
Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). With the Ethiopian, we confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9–10). We are baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), to wash away sins (Acts 22:16), united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12). Baptism saves as an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21). Then the Lord adds the saved to His church (Acts 2:47).

Life in the One Church
Those added continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42). Their hope is anchored in the one Lord, the one faith, and the one baptism set forth by the Spirit (Ephesians 4:4–6). Their allegiance is to Christ as Head, in whose name they speak and live (Colossians 3:17).

One True Church Sermon Outline:

• Introduction

  • Question: Is there one true church?

  • Primary texts: Ephesians 4:4–6; Ephesians 1:22–23; Acts 2:41–47

• I. Right and Wrong in Religion

  • Jesus warns about false prophets (Matthew 7:15)

  • Another gospel is condemned (Galatians 1:8)

  • False teachers bring destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1–2)

  • What God has not planted will be uprooted (Matthew 15:13)

• II. The Gospel’s Exclusives

  • Seven “ones” that ground unity (Ephesians 4:4–6)

• III. One Body, One Church

  • Christ is Head over the church, His body (Ephesians 1:22–23)

  • One body establishes the reality of one church

• IV. Apostolic Proclamation and Exclusivity

  • Paul’s preaching turned many from idols (Acts 19:23–27)

  • The gospel calls all to the living God and His one body

• V. Misconceptions About the Church

  • People misidentified Jesus by familiar categories (Matthew 16:13–16)

  • Similarity of practices does not equal identical identity or authority

• VI. What the Church Is

  • The Lord adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:41, 47)

  • The church is the assembly of the saved

• VII. Recognizing the Lord’s Church Today

  • Do all in the name of the Lord (Colossians 3:17)

  • Apostolic teaching governs message, worship, organization, and life (Acts 2:42)

• VIII. Entering the One Body

  • Hear and believe (Romans 10:17)

  • Repent (Acts 17:30)

  • Confess Jesus as the Christ (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9–10)

  • Be baptized for remission and washing away of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16)

  • United with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12)

  • Baptism saves as an appeal to God (1 Peter 3:21)

  • The Lord adds to the church (Acts 2:47)

• IX. Life in the One Church

  • Continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42)

  • Live under the seven “ones” (Ephesians 4:4–6)

Call to Action
Submit to Christ as Head of His one body. Believe His gospel, repent of sin, confess His name, and be baptized for the remission of sins. Then walk in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers, seeking the congregation that honors Christ’s headship and follows His revealed pattern.

Key Takeaways

• Scripture teaches truth and error in religion; discernment is required (Matthew 7:15; Galatians 1:8; 2 Peter 2:1–2; Matthew 15:13).

• The Spirit reveals seven singular anchors of unity (Ephesians 4:4–6).

• One body under one Head means one church (Ephesians 1:22–23).

• The Lord adds the obedient to His church, the assembly of the saved (Acts 2:41, 47).

• Disciples do all in the Lord’s name and continue in apostolic teaching (Colossians 3:17; Acts 2:42).

• Entrance into the body follows faith, repentance, confession, and baptism for remission (Romans 10:17; Acts 17:30; Acts 8:37; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21).

Scripture Reference List

• Matthew 7:15 – Jesus warns about false prophets.

• Galatians 1:8 – Another gospel is accursed.

• 2 Peter 2:1–2 – False teachers and destructive heresies foretold.

• Matthew 15:13 – Plants not planted by the Father will be uprooted.

• Ephesians 4:4–6 – One body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father.

• Ephesians 1:22–23 – Christ is Head over the church, His body.

• Acts 19:23–27 – Demetrius protests Paul’s preaching against idols.

• Matthew 16:13–16 – Public misconceptions about Jesus; Peter’s confession.

• Acts 2:41, 47 – Baptized believers added; the Lord adds the saved to the church.

• Colossians 3:17 – Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

• Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ.

• Acts 17:30 – God commands all people to repent.

• Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9–10 – Confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

• Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16 – Baptism for remission; wash away sins.

• Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12 – United with Christ in baptism.

• 1 Peter 3:21 – Baptism saves as an appeal to God for a good conscience.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO