The journey of the Church (Ekklesia—the called-out assembly of people with one belief) has been a complex tapestry woven with threads of divine intention and human choices, which ultimately led to the diverse denominations that exist today. From the Church’s earliest roots, the concept of a called-out assembly has been central to God’s unfolding plan for humanity.
We can trace the church’s inception back to the Garden of Eden. Here, we find the first church, with God Himself acting as the pastor to Adam. This initial assembly soon expanded to two with the addition of Eve. However, division began to creep in when the serpent deceived Eve and twisted God’s explicit instruction to not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil lest they die if they do so. This event, as described in Genesis 3, represents the very beginning of the breaking apart of the church in Eden. Yet, God, in His unwavering faithfulness, did not abandon them. Instead, He delivered the first declaration of the gospel in Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” This verse foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ over the devil.
God continued to gather people to Himself because He has a fatherly heart. We see this again in Genesis 6, when He called out Noah and His family, establishing another form of His Ekklesia. This trend of God raising up a called-out assembly continued. After humanity once again separated from God’s will, He had to call out Abraham, through whom He promised the seed through whom the nations of the earth will be saved, that is, Jesus (Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:16). Exodus documents how the gathering grew into a nation, eventually finding themselves enslaved in Egypt. God then had to call them out of Egypt to go worship Him in the wilderness, with Moses serving as their “pastor.” These events marked the beginning of the Jewish religion, whose practices were a shadow of the church that was to come in Christ!
Even within this divinely appointed Jewish church, corruption emerged as they intermittently committed idolatry. Consequently, God had to call out another church from amongst them to be priests, but it was only the Levites who yielded, leading to the priesthood resting on the tribe of Levi (Ex. 19:5-6, Ex. 32:7-10, Num. 3:5-9). Then again, we see the Jewish nation/church eventually separating into two distinct entities: Israel and Judah (1 Kings 12; 2Chr 10).
All these preceding “churches” were leading up to a climactic point: the coming of Jesus as prophesied in Genesis 49:10: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him shall the gathering of the people be”. Unto the seed that is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, would be the fulfillment of the intents and the purpose in the heart of God for calling out a people unto Himself.
Jesus began His earthly ministry by calling 12 disciples, who formed the nucleus of His church members (Mark 3:13-19). This number grew to 70 and then to 120, who were considered His dedicated followers (Luke 10:1; Acts 1:15). Although out of that 12 that Jesus called, the devil stole one—Judas. But he was replaced by Matthias in Acts 1:21-26. Jesus (after His resurrection) instructed His followers to gather together to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which they all experienced on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. This led to the first establishment of Christ’s church with the addition of over 3000 souls.
Initially, all of the first 120 church members were Jews, and they believed this new church would be restricted to Jews only, causing them to remain in Jerusalem. At this time, Jerusalem served as the headquarters with Peter as the General Overseer and the other 11 apostles as the elders, including the brothers of Jesus, Jude and James.
However, God’s plan for the Church extended beyond the Jewish people. God, through Peter, extended the spread of the church to the Gentiles, starting with the household of Cornelius in Acts 10. During this period, the Roman Empire held world power, and there was a lot of idolatry and political activities to keep people loyal and submit to the government. But the Jews primarily practiced Judaism. These new followers of Jesus faced persecution from the Romans and the Jews. A significant figure in this persecution was the Jewish man named Saul or Paul of Tarsus. Jesus encountered Paul in Acts 9 and made him spread the gospel to the Gentiles. The Gentile church then established its headquarters situated in Antioch, and it was at this point that people began to call them Christians (Acts 11:26).
They started to have division in beliefs between the Apostles, especially between Paul’s church and the Church at Jerusalem. This division was exacerbated by the fact that the initial persecution made the Jews flee from Jerusalem to continue preaching the gospel and converting mostly only the Jews they met wherever they fled to. The Church in Jerusalem wanted to maintain some Jewish practices, while the Gentile church wanted to stay with the finished works of Christ, promoting a Christianity that accommodates everyone from different tribes.
This divergence eventually led to a significant separation in 1054, with one branch forming what became known as the Catholic Church, with the Pope as the universal head, representing Peter, and its headquarters now in Rome, where Peter was crucified upside-down. The other Christians who wanted to hold on to the doctrines of the Apostles while maintaining the DNA of the Jewish culture and not mixing up other cultures were subsequently called the Eastern Orthodox Church. See more details about the separation here. The Catholic Church, in pursuit of welcoming people from all nations and backgrounds, began to integrate non Christ-centered practices as a result of people infiltrating their past cultural and religious practices. The church endured major persecution from the Roman Empire until Emperor Constantine, after a vision of the Cross, made Christianity/Catholicism legal to practice. This pivotal moment led to the Catholic Church becoming politically strong. However, this newfound strength also led to divisions and then wars, including religious conflicts amongst Christians themselves for approximately 30 years. There were also battles against Islamic warriors who sought to introduce Islam into Europe. See more details on the history of Christianity here.
From this historical overview of the Church, from the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the early Christian era, several underlying issues consistently contributed to the breaking apart into new groups. These factors majorly include the inherent power of humans to make choices and the ever-present bad influence of the devil seeking to sow discord and division.
Section 2: The Roots of Division: Choice and Influence
As we continue to explore the reasons behind the existence of different denominations, it’s crucial to understand two recurring themes that have contributed to continuous division from the Church in Eden to the present day: the power of choice and the devil’s negative influence. It’s important to recognize that any event, whether orchestrated by God or by the devil through human agents, ultimately unfolds through the choices made by individuals, particularly those in positions of authority. Even Jesus Himself operated as a man, exercising His choices, but His will was always aligned to the Father’s will.
Let’s examine some of Jesus’s teachings that shed light on this matter. In Matthew 16:15-19, we find a pivotal conversation: “He said to them, But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
As previously explained (and further detailed in our previous article titled “why do christians go to church” ), Jesus’s use of “Peter” (Greek: petros, meaning “piece of rock”) and “this rock” (Greek: petra, meaning “rock”) is significant. He was figuratively using house construction to describe the Church. The true “rock” upon which Jesus would build His Church is not Peter himself, but the revelation of Him as the Christ (Anointed or Messiah), the Son of the living God, as Peter confessed in verse 16. Therefore, the “pieces of rock” that will be built upon Christ are those of us who, like Peter, believe and confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Read 1 Peter 2:4-7 (NKJV):
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6. For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
Also, please read Ephesians 2:19-22 (NKJV)
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
The Danger of Elevating Men or Ideologies
Therefore, the moment we substitute Christ with a man or an ideology as the foundation, we inadvertently create an opening for the devil to sow division, confusion, and error.
Another illustrative event immediately following Chapter 16 of Matthew is the Transfiguration, recorded in Matthew 17:1-8:
“Now, after six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, ‘Arise, and do not be afraid.’ When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”
We can see that after the revelation of Jesus as the Christ in Matthew 16, Peter and the other disciples fell into the same error. They desired to make another tabernacle for Elijah and Moses, demonstrating how segregation starts when we attempt to place others on the same level as Christ. God Himself intervened, emphatically instructing them to listen to Jesus alone, His only begotten Son! This serves as a powerful reminder: never make the mistake of elevating any minister or general overseer above Jesus. To do so is to open oneself to division. Jesus is the head of the Church, not the Pope or any other earthly leader. While we may have earthly leaders, the counsel is to follow them only as they follow Christ. If we can collectively conclude that Jesus is our Lord and that we are living and working for Him as His Church, we will be significantly better off.
Jesus’s Vision for Unity and the Role of Ministry Gifts
Jesus’s vision for the Church is one of profound unity, as articulated in Ephesians 4:4-6:
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.“
This passage emphasizes oneness. The term “one faith” refers to our core belief, the gospel—the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Despite appearances today, Christianity is fundamentally based on this singular faith. In pursuit of this vision, Jesus died and resurrected, not only so that certain individuals would be witnesses of Him but also that they would be stewards of the progress of that vision being fulfilled through raising witnesses.
Jesus, in His wisdom, foresaw that His followers might be carried away at some point with every wind of doctrine and become divided. Therefore, He made specific provisions, as described in Ephesians 4:7-16:
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.’ (Now this, ‘He ascended’—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
These diverse ministry gifts, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, do share a common assignment: to teach and bring us to the unity of the faith, which is the knowledge of the Son of God and the gospel of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The ultimate goal is that we all “grow into Christ,” not to simply raise “fans” or “followers,” but to cultivate Christians in whom Christ is fully formed. Therefore, the true measure of maturity is not in imitating any particular minister’s prayer style or preaching but in the formation of Christ within us. The focus should always remain on Christ.
The Way Forward: Returning to Christ’s Blueprint
In a time when denominations are often treated like football clubs, the crucial question becomes: what is the way forward? In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he emphasized the issue of doctrine and clarified that he, Apollos, and Peter were merely laborers in God’s vineyard.
The Church today is divided because everyone wants to bring their own doctrine, and everyone wants to be the head. However, scripture clearly states that we are one body in Christ, with diverse callings—some as teachers, or pastors, or evangelists, or as apostles – all ultimately intended to bring everyone to maturity in Christ. Before His ascension, Jesus gave us just one primary assignment: the Great Commission—to preach the gospel to everyone.
Therefore, the essential path forward is to return to the template that Jesus gave us. We must go back to what Jesus and the Apostles taught and resist the urge to add any new doctrine to their foundational teachings. Until we recognize that no one is called to introduce new doctrines beyond what Jesus and the Apostles established, the divisions will likely persist.
Section 3: Doctrines and The Doctrine: Another Source of Division
A significant factor contributing to division throughout Church history has been the variety in doctrines. Even within the Jewish religion, pioneered by Moses, different doctrinal interpretations led to distinct groups. For instance, the Sadducees and Pharisees held differing beliefs, as highlighted by Jesus in Matthew 16:10-11: “How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
The Pharisees adhered to the Torah (written laws of Moses) and the Oral Law passed down through tradition. They also believed in angels, spirits, and the resurrection. In contrast, the Sadducees considered only the Torah to be the final authority. They rejected the existence of spirits, the afterlife, and the resurrection, making them fundamentally opposed to the doctrine of Christ’s resurrection.
The Singular Doctrine of Jesus Christ
Amidst these differing Jewish doctrines, there arose the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself affirmed the divine origin and truthfulness of His teachings in John 7:16-18: “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.” Jesus explicitly stated that His doctrine is from God and is unequivocally true.
Crucially, the doctrine of Jesus does not invalidate the Torah; rather, the Torah itself testifies of Jesus. As Jesus stated in John 5:39-40: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” Therefore, it is safe to conclude that safety is found in sticking to the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
This singular doctrine of Jesus Christ, along with its interpretation, was entrusted to His disciples, who subsequently became the Apostles. They faithfully propagated it, and this same doctrine was also directly taught to Apostle Paul by Jesus Christ Himself. The core issue where disagreements have consistently arisen regarding doctrine lies in the interpretation of God’s speaking. To properly judge our interpretations, we need a yardstick, and that yardstick is Christ.
The Apostles’ Doctrine: Our Authoritative Yardstick
The interpretations of those who learned directly from Jesus Christ, that is the Apostles, as communicated through the book of Acts and the epistles, become the final authority for what we should believe as true today. Acts 2:42 highlights this: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Notice the singular “doctrine,” not “doctrines,” emphasizing its definite and unified nature.
What then is this definite doctrine of Christ? Reading in context from Acts 2:29-33, Peter expounds:
“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.”
Thus, the doctrine of the Apostles is that Jesus Christ is the Anointed One or the Messiah, who is “God in human form,” who died for our sins and resurrected on the third day for our justification, and who has now given humanity the justification and ability to be indwelt by God through the Holy Spirit if they believe. This is what the Apostles, including Apostle Paul, preached consistently and everywhere, often at the cost of their lives. For example, in Acts 17:18-19, when Paul encountered Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, they questioned him, saying, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods, because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection… May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?”
Therefore, a crucial takeaway from this understanding is that only the doctrine of Christ as interpreted by the Apostles, who were physically taught by Jesus, should be believed. Any doctrine or interpretation of Christ’s teaching that contradicts that of the apostles is false. As Christians, our motto should be “If the Apostles did not teach it, I won’t believe it, and I won’t teach it.”
God, foreseeing the rise of false doctrines after Jesus’ resurrection and after the Apostles’ deaths, ensured the integrity of His message. He taught the Apostles, and He instructed them to make disciples who would in turn make disciples. This highlights the vital importance of faithfully propagating the Apostles’ doctrine.
Guarding Against False Doctrines and Upholding Scripture
The scriptures repeatedly warn against straying from the true doctrine. Ephesians 4:13-14 emphasizes the goal of unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, so “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” Furthermore, 1 Timothy 1:3-4 says “…remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.”
The Spirit expressly warns in 1 Timothy 4:1-3, saying “…in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
Therefore, it is paramount to “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16). Since we do not have any of the Apostles or their direct disciples alive today, we rely on their teachings as recorded in scripture to guide our interpretation of God’s speakings and the doctrine of Christ. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms this, stating: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
This means the Scripture is the final authority of our beliefs, not “God told me” or “Prophet xxx said” or “Apostle xxx said”. Our adherence to the Apostles’ doctrine, as preserved in the Bible, is crucial.
Now, the local church we choose to attend will determine approximately 80% of our beliefs, and these beliefs, in turn, will significantly influence the quality of life we experience on this earth. Next, we will explore “how to know the right local church to attend.”
Section 4: The Local Church: A Foundation for Christian Growth
The local church refers to a specific subset of the global Church, a community of Christians to which an individual is submitted and actively involved through the giving and receiving of their time, resources, and God-given grace. For a Christian, the choice of a local church, alongside the choice of a spouse, is arguably one of the most important decisions to make in life.
When considering which local church to join, it’s essential to first debunk some common misconceptions. A local church is not primarily defined by its physical aesthetics, such as Sunday meetings, uniformed choristers, musical instruments, beautiful lights, or solid sound systems, or even the members showcasing their best attire. While these elements can contribute to convenience and order, they are not the primary considerations for choosing a church.
God’s Purpose for the Local Church: Training for Ministry and Edification
So, what is God’s true purpose for a local church? Jeremiah 3:15 speaks of God’s commitment to provide pastors according to His heart, who will feed us with knowledge and understanding. This commitment finds its fulfillment in Christ Jesus, as seen in Ephesians 4:11-16. Jesus, as the Head of the Church, desires to see His followers grow in their walk with God. To achieve this, He has delegated responsibility to specific ministry gifts whom He will hold accountable for our lives.
Ephesians 4:11-12 states: “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ“. These individuals are entrusted with the crucial responsibility of equipping believers for the work of the ministry, ultimately leading to the edification or building up of the body of Christ. Therefore, the primary purpose of the Church is TRAINING FOR MINISTRY for EDIFYING THE BODY OF CHRIST.
While supplementary resources like bible colleges and discipleship platforms (such as CharisFolks) exist to complement local churches by equipping Christians in areas where their local church might be lacking, their ultimate aim is to enable individuals to give back to their local church and edify the body of Christ. Thus, the Church is fundamentally for training.
The Goal of Training: Salvation, Transformation, and Conviction
The method and end goal of this training are further elucidated in Ephesians 4:13-15: “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—”. The ultimate goal is to help us understand and gain an intimate knowledge of Jesus, the Son of God. This goal can be subdivided into 3 categories:
1) Your Salvation: It is a regrettable reality that some individuals grow up in churches or even serve as workers without ever being genuinely led to salvation. Your local church should be the place where you come to experience salvation, especially if you were born into one.
2) Transformation into the nature and character of Christ Jesus: After salvation, your church should meticulously teach, nurture, and instruct you in the adequate knowledge of Christ’s redemptive works and the new life you have in Him, so that your life truly reflects this reality—the life of Christ.
3) Strengthening your conviction against false teachings: This ensures you are not easily led astray or prone to backsliding but rather effectively fulfilling God’s assignment for your life.
The primary tool your local church employs to equip you for fulfilling God’s purpose in your life is the Word of God. As stated in 2 Timothy 3:14-17: “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Scriptures, when used correctly, serve for edification, correction, strengthening conviction, and teaching.
Therefore, when attending church, approach it as someone going to be trained. This involves bringing your notes and Bible, paying close attention to the teaching, and diligently taking notes during the word session. In summary, the paramount factor to consider when choosing a local church is how much they prioritize the truth of God’s word and sound doctrine. This includes assessing the amount of time and effort dedicated to the Word of God, and observing the level of transformation the Word has wrought in the lives of the attendees. Furthermore, consider whether they offer Sunday school service and attend regularly, and if they engage in evangelism, participate with them.
In the next section, we will delve into another crucial purpose of the local church: bonding as a family. Understanding these aspects of the local church will significantly influence your beliefs, which in turn will profoundly influence the quality of life you experience on this earth.
Section 5: Choosing the right local church: a family to bond with
God has a fatherly heart. When He created us humans, it was because of His fatherly heart. What God was looking forward to having with us is a father-child relationship.
When considering how to choose the right local church, it’s a significant decision that profoundly impacts our lives. Initially, the focus was on receiving training through the ministry of the word, emphasizing that a church’s attitude toward God’s word and its upholding of sound doctrine are paramount.
However, this perspective needs to go a step further; we shouldn’t solely view the local church as a training ground or school, but rather as a family gathering. The key distinction between a local church and a seminary school is the sense of community and family.
Drawing from Genesis 1, God created man with a fatherly heart, making us in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-28). The first “local church” was a family, with Adam and Eve in Eden. This familial pattern continued with Noah’s family in the ark (Genesis 7:1): “Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”
God then called Abraham and his household, forming a nation that became the foundation of the church of Christ. Genesis 12:1-2 states: “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing”. The church in the wilderness, pastored by Moses, was also a family consisting of 12 tribes from the 12 sons of Jacob..
The Church as God’s Family
Moving to the New Testament, John 14 highlights Jesus’s brilliant illustration to explain the church He was about to establish. John 14:2-3 (KJV) reads: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
Using the NIV version for more clarity (John 14:2-3): “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Jesus was not primarily referring to literal mansions. The concept of individuals owning mansions in heaven is not accurate, and such a doctrine could subtly imply greed, which is not godly. Furthermore, Revelation, which details our eternal destination, never mentions individual mansions but consistently speaks of nations and tribes singing together unto God in heaven. Revelation 5:9-10 says: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.'” Revelation 7:9 adds: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands”.
Now, some people might argue that the mansions would be in the new Jerusalem but you will observe that it was not mentioned in Revelation 21 and 22. Instead the emphasis was on God being the temple, light and focus of the worship of the inhabitants and the inhabitants having their names written in the book of life and not being sinners. It definitely is a place of bliss, free of pain and sorrow and a place to look forward to. Also the Apostles never mentioned this “mansion” reward. Ultimately, the apostles’ teachings emphasised the believer’s relationship with God and the promise of being with Him eternally, rather than on the specific form of the heavenly dwelling.
Understanding Jesus’s Words in John 14
So, what was Jesus talking about in John 14:1-3? Jesus was talking about the family of God! The word “house” in “My Father’s house” (Greek: oikia) refers to a family house, much like a grandparent’s home where cousins and siblings gather for holidays. The word “mansions” (Greek: monè) simply means “rooms”. If my friend is visiting Lagos from Abuja, and my parents live in Lagos, I would prepare “a room” in my parent’s house for my friend to stay.
The word “place” (Greek: topos) in “I am going there to prepare a place for you so that where I am there you may be also” is both positional and locational. Jesus is essentially saying, “I will first make you a son (positional) for you to then be in the household of God (location), and eventually be a part of that city described in Revelation 21 and 22 (locational)”. This aligns with Romans 8:29: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters”. Hebrews 2:11 further supports this: “Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters”. This understanding provides a healthy perspective on our identity.
Using the NIV version for accuracy, St. John 14:2-3 says:
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Jesus was not referring to a literal mansion; the concept of us having individual mansions in heaven is not accurate. The Greek word for house is oikia, referring to a family home where you might visit cousins and grandparents. “Mansions” is translated from monè, which simply means “rooms”. Furthermore, the “place” (topos) Jesus prepared is both positional and locational—He first makes you a son (positional) so that you can be in the household of God (locational).
Heaven is not about individual isolation in mansions; it is about tribes and nations singing together. This is seen in the following scriptures:
Revelation 5:9-10: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.'”
Revelation 7:9: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
Choosing Your Church Family
When joining a church, you should not base the decision on earthly tribal identity but on seeing others as family members in Christ. Some time ago, I attended a church’s miracle service in search of a new local church; but even though the service was great and the teaching was sound, I didn’t have a sense of “being at home” in my spirit, and following that “inward witness” was crucial. The Lord later led me to another church by showing the building in a vision and supernaturally revealing the pastor’s in my quiet time the morning of my first sunday at that church even though I had never met him before. God’s leading may not always be so spectacular, but we must discover how God leads us and follow that leading when deciding which local church to submit to.
A local church that feels like home is a place where you will meet destiny friends with whom you can share your vulnerability without fear of mockery.
Paul’s letters further illuminate Jesus’s words in John 14, as seen in Ephesians 2:18-22: “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
God’s indwelling place is locationally in His children. Each individual is indwelt by God, and collectively, when believers come together to worship and pray, they become the indwelling place of God. Your local church is your family in the spirit. It’s a place to feed, marry, grow, have best friends, be accountable, and be known. It’s important to be community-minded and not choose a church where you can slide in and out unnoticed, as significant growth rarely happens in isolation. Community with other believers is essential, even while spending time alone with God. Additionally, do not choose a local church based on social acceptance.
God’s Purpose for the Church: Training and Equipping
The local church refers to a subset of the global church that is a cluster of Christian communities in which you are submitted to and actively involved by receiving and giving of your time, resources, and God-given grace. A local church is not primarily a place where they meet every Sunday, featuring choristers in uniforms, beautiful lights, or a solid sound system where everyone shows off their best clothes. While these elements are good for convenience and order, they are not the major factors to consider.
God’s purpose for a local church is rooted in His commitment to give us leaders who will nurture our spiritual growth. This is reflected in Jeremiah 3:15:
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (KJV)*.
This commitment is fulfilled through Jesus, the head of the church, who delegated responsibility to ministry gifts to see us grow in our walk with God. As stated in Ephesians 4:11–12:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”.
The church is essentially for training. These ministry gifts are responsible for equipping us so that we, in turn, can build up the body of Christ. This training continues, as described in Ephesians 4:13–15:
“till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ”.
The ultimate goal of this training is to help you develop an intimate knowledge of Jesus, leading to three specific results:
1. Your Salvation: It is vital that a church leads its members and workers to genuine salvation.
2. Transformation: You should be schooled in the redemptive works of Christ so that your life reflects
His nature and character.
3. Strengthened Conviction: Your church should equip you against false teachings so you are not easily led into backsliding.
The main tool a local church must use to equip you for God’s purpose is the Word of God. The scriptures must be used correctly for edification, correction, and teaching. This is emphasized in 2 Timothy 3:14–17:
“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”.
Summary: What to Look For
When choosing a local church, the number one priority is how much they prioritize the truth of God’s word and sound doctrine. Consider these questions: * How much time and effort is dedicated to the Word of God? * How much transformation has the word wrought in the lives of the attendees? * Do they have a Sunday school, and do they engage in evangelism? When you go to church, go as one who is going to be trained. This means arriving with your Bible and notebook, paying close attention, and taking notes during the word session.
