In the book of Acts we read that once the Lord had decided to have the Gospel preached to the Gentiles, questions concerning certain issues began to arise, such as: should circumcision be required in order to obtain salvation? To find the answer which would suit all involved, Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to ask the apostles and elders. It was determined by them that circumcision need not be required but only that they abstain from the meats offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled and from fornication. All the churches were informed of this decision…. for which they rejoiced.
Churches of today have many denominations which answer to and receive leadership from different organizations called associations, conferences, and so on. Any change in doctrine must be approved by these organizations. One would wonder why the need for such division if all practice the same belief: that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died in order to bring salvation and everlasting life to a sin-filled world.
Not only are the churches regulated and ran by organizations, but they also have their own individual rules members are expected to follow. Some have no music, but singing alone. Some baptize by sprinkling and others by submersion. Some claim you are not fully saved until you are baptized and others say we’re saved once we profess to believe and baptism is the first step we take in following Jesus’ example. Some have dress codes and believe that women should not wear pants or anything that pertains to a man. Some accept anyone and others might ask you to leave if you’re not properly dressed.
Why the need for all these rules? There have been and always will be differences in how people believe. One cannot say we don’t have enough choices, that’s for sure. Even with all the choices, finding a church home is not always easy. If you find one where you feel at home and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit then you’re probably in the right place. Pray about it and God will lead you in the right direction.
Many churches today are suffering. Some struggle to find a building, while others are plagued by problems among the members who can’t get along. All churches have problems and are in need of much prayer. If your church is suffering perhaps you could help find, or even be, the solution. Attending church is important, but even more important is being an active participant in whatever way we can. Keeping the church alive and excited about Christ is not the pastor’s role alone. It takes people who are willing to step up and do their part for a church to succeed.
Too often we get bogged down with too many rules and we lose sight of the reason we go to church in the first place….to worship the one who gave His life in order that we might be saved. In Psalm 100 we are told to ” Serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with singing.”
Even if you can’t or don’t attend church regularly you still can come before Him with gladness and singing. Church attendance is important, but even more important is our personal walk and relationship with Jesus. Let us all pray along with David in Psalm 27: 11 “Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies; for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.”
The world is full of false witnesses and those who tell us that our Christian faith is foolishness and they convince many not to believe. In Psalm 27: 13, David says: “I had fainted (would have given up), unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
The goodness of the the Lord is visible all around us still. Let us put our trust in Him alone and not rely on the wisdom of men and all their rules to get us into heaven. Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He will strengthen thine heart.”
