Does It Make Any Difference? - No. 2
Many people are convinced that "it makes no difference what church one belongs to," just so one is sincere. But if this be true, there are several other questions requiring study; and there are some consequences that may not have been considered.
What One Believes
Does it make any difference what one believes? There are over 250 religious bodies (churches) in the nation, about 173 of them being considered "orthodox," but all holding and believing different doctrines. Now, if it doesn't make any difference what church a man belongs to, then it must follow that it makes no difference what one believes. But Christ said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) The "truth" concerning which Christ spoke was the word of God; for he said elsewhere, "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." (John 17:17) And concerning those who received not the love of truth," Paul said, "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (II Thess. 2:11, 12) Hence, it does make a difference what one believes; and it does make a difference to what church one belongs.
On Becoming A Christian
Does it make any difference how one becomes a Christian? Each of the more than 250 religious bodies in the nation teaches a different plan of salvation (way of becoming a Christian.) Thus, if it doesn't make any difference what church one belongs to, and doesn't make any difference what one believes, then it must follow that it doesn't make any difference what plan one follows in becoming a Christian. But the New Testament teaches that there are certain definite, specific things one MUST do in becoming a Christian. For example, Christ said, "For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24) And again, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3) He also required confession of him in these words, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 10:32) And in the great commission he said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16) Now if it makes no difference how one becomes a Christian, he can ignore and set aside every single one of these specific things named by Christ. Who is going to assume such authority? The apostles dared not to set aside Christ's plan. For we find them teaching exactly the same plan of salvation that he set forth. They taught the necessity of hearing the gospel (Rom. 10:17); faith (Acts 16:31); repentance (Acts 17:30); confession (Rom. 10:9, 10); and baptism (Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21). Now if you have read the scriptures referred to, it must be perfectly clear that it does make a tremendous difference whether one follows the Lord's plan or not.
On Worshipping God
Does it make any difference to God how one worships him? Nearly all of these many religious bodies worship God in different ways. If it makes no difference what church one belongs to, and makes no difference what one believes, and makes no difference how one becomes a Christian; then surely it cannot make any difference how one worships God. But consider these words of Christ, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23) In spirit means from the heart; in truth means according to the revealed truth of God's word. As we open the pages of the New Testament we find that the worship of the early church, and the worship outlined there for all Christians consisted of: (1) meeting together upon the first day of the week to break bread (Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:25; I Cor. 10:16). (2) Preaching, teaching, and exhortations (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 14:12; Col. 2:7, 8). (3) Prayers (I Thess. 5:17; I Tim. 2:8; Eph. 6:18). (4) Singing—vocal music alone was used in the worship of the New Testament churches—(Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), and (5) Giving—the contribution (I Cor. 16:1, 2; II Cor. 9:7-9). Thus we see by both command and example that it does make a difference how one worships God.
The Name One Wears
With more than 250 different religious bodies in the nation, all wearing different names, there are many who say that there is nothing in a name, and that it doesn't make any difference at all what name one wears in religion. But contrary to this, the Bible teaches that congregations of the Lord's church were called "churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16); "church of God" (I Cor. 1:1) and other terms which indicated the divine ownership and relation. Peter said, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Again, he said, "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." (I Peter 4:16)
The simple statement of Christ should settle this matter once and for all. Christ said, "I will build my church." (Matt. 16:18) Members of the church Christ built were called "Christians," (Acts 11:26) saints, children of God, believers, etc. Read the Bible through and you will not find one denominational name or title in the whole book. These names have their origin with men, not with God. Thus it does make a difference what name one wears religiously.
It makes a difference—the honest and unprejudiced mind cannot fail to realize this. Let every man understand and accept it.