A FAITHFUL CHURCH

By: Fr. Raúl Rojas Meneses*

INTRODUCTION

In Acts 2:1–4, 41–47, we are presented with the formation of the Church and how it conducted itself.
grew. According to the text read, it is indicated to us that from the very beginning the members of the
the church "were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles," and "the Lord added to them daily those who
they were to be saved.

The Church can be defined as universal and invisible, consisting of all the number
complete of chosen ones, who have been, are, and will be gathered into one, under Christ as their head;
and she is the wife, the body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

The Church has a divine task, given by God, related to the truth:

You must preserve the Word of God. This is to maintain and defend the truth against all.
the forces of disbelief and error (Titus 1:9–11 and Jude 3).

You must administer the truth. This consists of the preaching of the Word of God in the
world, for the conversion of sinners (Mark 16:15; Romans 10:13-15), and the
preaching to the people of God for spiritual edification (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 5:11 to
6:3).

In 1 Peter 2:9, the Church is presented in a relationship with God and with the world:
called to be a holy nation, set apart for the worship of its Lord, and on the other hand called
to live with the world, 'to proclaim the virtues of the one who called us out of darkness to his
admirable light”. We find this same idea in Jesus' prayer in John 17: “I do not ask
that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not.
I am from the world (verses 15 and 16).

Thanks to the Lord that the main stone of the Church is Himself, and we are living stones that
they are built on the foundation. Therefore, he is 'who builds his Church,' for if it were up to
we this would have already disappeared.

The history of the Church is full of evidence of human failure, worldly corruption,
infidelity, doctrinal deviation, indulgence and weakness. Nevertheless, the Lord is the one who continues
building the Church. Even in the most devastating times, there has always been a
remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:5).

On this occasion, I would like to refer to certain dangers or threats that pose a risk to the
fulfillment of the mission given by the Lord. And finally establish the absolute relationship between
the Church, as an organization, and its members.

I) DANGERS THAT THE CHURCH SHOULD AVOID:

Churches that neglect worship.

The Church is not always distinguished by the deep reality of its worship service. It would seem
there is little sense of the greatness and glory of the all-powerful God. It is not reflected in a
inclination before him, awed and amazed by his magnificence and mercy. It is noticeable
an abyssal distance with the words of the psalmist "Oh Jehovah, our Lord, how great
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, you have set your glory above the heavens! (Psalm 8:1)

In these churches, the worship service is often just a ritual without reality, form
without power, entertainment without fear, irreverent, religion without God. “This people with the
"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me" (Mark 7:6).

"This people honors me with their lips; but their..."

"Their heart is far from me" (Matthew 15:8).

A church that worships the Lord must have a reading and preaching of His Word that is so faithful,
that through them their living voice may be heard, addressing their people. The administration of the
The Lord's Supper must be so reverent and expectant that the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ among
his people and around the table, it should be an undeniable reality. And finally, the offer of the
praise and prayer so sincere that the people of God say with Jacob: 'Surely the Lord is
in this place, and I did not know it" (Genesis 28:16) and the unbelievers present fall to their knees and
They worship God exclaiming: "...Truly God is among you" (1 Corinthians 14:25).

2. Churches worried only about numerical and economic growth, and not about the
salvation of souls and spiritual edification of the people of God.

Currently, there are many churches seduced by the 'Church Growth' movement.
This movement establishes the laws of the market to lead a church, 'it is given to the
consumer what he wants to buy and not what he really needs, according to the Word
of the Lord”. The churches allow dramas, secular music, recreation, the
entertainment, self-improvement programs, etc., overshadow traditional worship; it is seen
to preaching, and particularly to expository preaching, as an anachronistic vestige, outdated and
completely inefficient.

To declare simply the truth of the Word of the Lord is considered offensive and completely
unproductive. It is advised to first lighten up the people, by giving them popular psychology and
suggestions for success, and this way they will enter the congregations and thus be more
receptive. A church that sacrifices the preaching of biblical truths in order to maintain the
entertained and comfortable people, only attending to their "itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3 and
4).

The Iglecrecimiento is an anti-biblical movement, clearly driven by 'Pragmatism.'

which establishes the value or meaning of something by its practical consequences. It is
relativist and subjectivist and therefore we cannot accept it.

Currently many churches are involved in the

Church growth due to the desire for numerical increase.

Tozer described the danger that pragmatism poses to the church: "The philosophy
pragmatics... does not ask embarrassing questions about the wisdom of what we are
doing or even of their morality. Accept our chosen ends as correct and good, and
part in search of efficient means and procedures to achieve them. As soon as he discovers
something that works looks for a text to justify it, 'consecrate' the method to the Lord and moves forward without
reservations. Below is an article about the method in some magazine, then a
book and lastly, an honorary degree is granted to its inventor. After this, any questions
the biblical authority of things or even their moral validity is rejected by
Complete. You can't argue with success. The method works, so it must be good.
The most dangerous thing about this movement: is that it places greater emphasis on techniques, strategies or
methodologies that align with biblical doctrine or truth. And let us not deceive ourselves, for in these last
many voices of doctrinal indulgence are being raised. Let us remember that among
false doctrine and worldliness, there is a very close relationship and incorporate elements
mundane to the holy work of the church, sooner or later, will bring very serious consequences
bitter.

Pablo tells us: 'For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God for salvation.'
to everyone who believes...” (Romans 1:16).

What is the Lord's advice, through Paul to Timothy, regarding the direction of a church?

Be faithful in your preaching of the Biblical truth.

To have boldness in the exposure and refutation of error.

Be an example of piety.

Be diligent and work hard in the ministry.

Be willing to suffer affliction and persecution in your service to the Lord.

A church can be innovative and creative in the presentation of the gospel, but we must
be very careful to harmonize our methods with the profound spiritual truth that
we are trying to transmit. The sacred message cannot be treated trivially and
Let us remember that it is the message, and not the medium, that is the heart of preaching.

3. Churches that are not careful about sound doctrine.

One of Satan's most subtle tactics is to lead believers away from sound doctrine.
False doctrines in their various forms have plagued the Church since its beginnings (Galatians
1:6 and 7).

Over the last 200 years, theological liberalism and skepticism have undermined the
Church and the fact that many people abandon fundamental doctrines, such as
deity of Christ, the inspiration and authority of the Bible, salvation by faith, the resurrection
historical account of Christ, etc. Currently, the Evangelical Church is weakened by the
influences of subjectivism, pragmatism, psychotherapy and even a mistaken sense of the
tolerance and ecumenism that seeks to dilute and diminish the importance of doctrine.

Evangelicals are being affected by doctrinal ignorance.

seduced by Ecumenism to unite with Catholics.

Many churches believe that defending the faith is not part of their responsibility. In their eagerness
In their evangelization, they neglect the teaching of the Biblical truths to the people of God.
They completely ignore the repeated advice of the Lord due to maintaining sound doctrine.
Beloved, due to the great concern I had to write to you about the common health, it has been necessary for me
writing to you, admonishing you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.
saints"Judas 3.

Oh Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding the profane babble of vain
things, and the arguments of the falsely called science" 1 Timothy 6:20.
Take care of yourself and of the doctrine; persist in it; for by doing this, you will save yourself
you will save yourself and those who hear you
These churches are slowly losing the firm foundations that provide the truths.
doctrinal, and unfortunately are influenced by any emerging ideological currents.

GOD DELIVER US FROM FALLING INTO THESE DANGERS!

II) A FAITHFUL CHURCH REQUIRES FAITHFUL AND INTEGRITY-FILLED BELIEVERS

A church that worships requires Christians who are worshipers of God.

Jesus said: "But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers will worship the Father
in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeks such worshipers to worship Him." (John
4:23). Christians who appreciate the greatness, power, and mercy of the Lord at every moment and
this should be expressed in a spirit of 'fear of God' (reverent respect), in praise,
prayer and in every action.

Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel

before the Lord our Maker” (Psalms 95:6).

This fear arises from the awareness of our own baseness and limitations, contrasted with the
holiness and infinity of God. Without a doubt, this contrast is what the Lord wants to reflect,
through Isaiah, by saying the following: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool'
feet: where is the house that you will build for me, and where is this place of my rest? My hand
He did all these things, and so all these things were, says the Lord: but to this one I will look that is
poor and humble in spirit, and who trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1 and 2).

How much of this fear of God is needed in our churches?, and how much of this respect
deep and reverent do we often need?

A church faithful to sound doctrine requires members with doctrinal integrity.

Believers willing to:

a. Preserve the sound doctrine.

How to preserve the truth? (One must believe the word - memorize it - meditate on it - study it -
to obey her).

b. Proclaim the Biblical truth.

The essence of our preaching is the Lord Jesus Christ.

c. Live the truth of the Lord.

There is no dichotomy between doctrine and life, both are closely related. (Titus
2:11 and 14).

Faithful Christians must

scrutinize the Holy Scriptures.

The truth of the Lord must be the reference for all the actions and attitudes of the children of
God. How will we defend the omniscience and omnipresence of the Lord, if in the face of difficulties
Do we feel helpless in this world? What value does the sovereignty of God have, if not
we appreciate your hand in all things and like children we trust in Him?, Is it valuable, in our
everyday life, the historical resurrection of Christ?

A true fundamentalist evangelical must know the biblical truth and live in the truth.
It is not possible to defend what is not known, and even less what is not lived.
1:22).

A holy church requires holy Christians.

Once we have been forgiven in Christ, we must walk in newness of life (Romans
6:4).

In Ephesians 4:17-24, Paul invites us to leave behind our former way of life and to put on the new one.
man created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Holiness is not an option, it is the duty of every child of the Lord. It is an order based on the
the holiness itself of Holy God: 'Be holy, for I am holy.'

4. A church that fulfills its mission requires Christians to be the salt of the
the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-15).

Salt is a figure of the Christian who, by their way of living, stops the advance of sin in the
world, and the light reflects clarity, joy, life: what every Christian must show to a world
filled with anguish, desperation, and in a deep darkness.

The Christian has the duty

to be salt and light of this world.

MAY THE LORD WANT OUR CHURCHES TO BE FULL OF THESE CHRISTIANS!

CONCLUSION

How can we avoid the mentioned dangers? And how to develop, in our churches,
this type of Christians?

In the second letter to Timothy, Chapter 4, Paul tells us the following:

I therefore require before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead
dead in their manifestation and in their kingdom, that you preach the word; that you insist in season and
out of time; rebuke, reprimand, exhort with all patience and doctrine. For the time will come
time when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, they will heap up
masters according to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn to the
fables. But you keep watch in everything, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your
ministry.

And finally, let us remember that Jesus, and only he, is the one who builds his Church.

May the Lord bless us!