Should You Switch Churches?

Finding the right Church—a biblically sound assembly of believers who obey the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., not merely a socially accepted religious group—will entail some serious BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. study on your part. It is not a decision that should be made quickly or lightly.

A recently published book about religious beliefs in the United States calls attention to the fact that "Early in 2008 … the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reported that 44 percent of American adults have switched from one denomination to another" (Rodney Stark, What Americans Really Believe , p. 21, 2008). The author further commented that "Many observers seem to think that this observation was a bit scandalous."

As evidence he quoted an editorial published in the March 1, 2008 issue of The Wall Street Journal . "There are reasons to find this statistic [44 percent] troubling. People who leave one denomination for another may be more concerned with fulfilling their boutique church going desires than with meeting the moral obligations of a religious group or the demands of a doctrine."

This is an astute observation! Changing churches merely for cosmetic, shallow or peripheral reasons would not be very wise. The basic criteria should be adherence to the doctrines of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.—both Old and New Testaments.

Actually, in 1998 Americans were not faring too badly on this score. According to the results of a George Barna survey, one of three important factors in determining people's preferences for choosing a church was beliefs and doctrines. Even today most people who change churches seem to "favor the most demanding denominations" ( What Americans Really Believe , p. 23).

But what are the basic biblical standards? And how many of those who change churches search the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. for its criteria for church membership?

Prophetically, the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. depicts the "church of the living God" (1 Timothy 3:15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
See All...) even in the last days as people "who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 12:17And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
See All...). Regrettably, many denominations today teach that God's commandments have been abolished.

The test commandment for the great majority of people seems to be the fourth one—the one that commands assembling weekly.

The New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. clearly admonishes Christians to assemble together regularly. It speaks about "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day [of Christ's second coming] approaching" (Hebrews 10:25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
See All...).

The context of the book of Hebrews clearly indicates a specific day on which we should worship God (see Hebrews 4:1-11 [1] Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
[2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
[3] For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
[4] For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
[5] And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
[6] Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
[7] Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical., To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
[8] For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
[9] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
[10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
[11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

See All...). The Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings. expresses the same thought in the form of a command. "‘There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly . You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord'" (Leviticus 23:3Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.
See All..., NIV, emphasis added).

In terms of choosing a church based on fundamental beliefs, observing the biblical Sabbath day is one of the most basic—so basic that it is enshrined as one of the Ten Commandments as "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
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In regard to which day is the correct day for Christian rest and congregational assembly, most have been taught otherwise. Yet this fundamental teaching is so important that we should thoughtfully consider God's original purpose and intent for the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath as well as all of the carefully documented biblical proof supporting its observance. And the evidence is available in both the Old and the New Testaments.

Faithful Christians are instructed and admonished to follow the difficult, narrow and often unpopular way taught by Jesus Christ— not the broad, easy path that eventually and inevitably leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14 [13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
[14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

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Finding the right Church—a biblically sound assembly of believers who obey the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., not merely a socially accepted religious group—will entail some serious Bible study on your part. It is not a decision that should be made quickly or lightly. And God's guidance should be sought though much prayer. You should search for the Church that truly fits the biblical mode.

The publisher of The Good News magazine offers two very helpful booklets that cover these essential points in detail. These booklets are absolutely free, with no suggested or implied obligation on your part. So why not take the plunge and begin digging into the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. for its take on which church is right for you.

To quickly find essential biblical instructions on this subject and learn some useful historical facts, simply request or download these free, informative booklets: The Church Jesus Built and Sunset to Sunset: God's Sabbath Rest .