Have you ever invited someone to church only to hear them say that “one church is just as good as another”? This creates much frustration in doing evangelism with people from denominations or even with those who have no church affiliation. The Bible teaches that there is one body or church (Ephesians 4:4), and this stands in stark contrast to what the world teaches about the topic of church affiliation.

On the surface, this sounds like a reasonable argument, but when it is examined more closely one finds that it is fraught with error. If division was frowned upon in the church at Corinth, why do people in our age believe God stands in approval of such segregation. I Corinthians 1:10 says, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Is one church just as good as another one?

Most people who make this statement are already attending a church that they have chosen to attend. The implication of choosing one church over another indicates that, by their own decision, one church is not just as good as another one. If not, why are they currently attending the church that they have chosen to attend? Why not attend all the different churches in the area if one is in fact just as good a as another?

If one church is just as good as another, why are there so many divisions in the religious world? In consideration of the Lord’s prayer in John chapter seventeen, one would not conceivably argue that God likes division. John 17:20-21 says, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” Christ prayed for the unity of all believers and this cannot be obtained in denominational division.

Some of the divisions that exist in religion are about more than just opinions. Romans 16:17 says, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” Some churches have split, and some have chosen to leave churches over real “endanger your soul eternally” doctrinal issues. If there are in fact divisions over real doctrinal issues, one church cannot be as good as another one.

If one church is just as good as another, why is there so much disparity between churches over otherwise simple doctrinal issues? Take for example the Bible’s teaching regarding the Godhead. Most would be shocked to learn that there are those who teach that Jesus is not an equal part of the Godhead. Scripture teaches differently in Colossians 2:9. “For in Him [“Christ” in context—JOT] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

There are those who disagree about whether baptism is essential for salvation. While the Bible makes is abundantly clear that one cannot be saved without baptism (cf. Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16, et al.), certain manmade religions deny the importance of being baptized. 1 Peter 3:21says, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Surely, dear reader, you can think of several doctrinal issues between denominational groups that are diametrically opposed to one another. If doctrinal differences exist between churches, one church cannot be as good as another one.

If one church is as good as another, why are there so many differences in worship practices? One could make a long list of the differences that exist in what some view as being acceptable worship before Jehovah God. As a matter of fact, there are religious groups which have multiple worship “types” under one roof. Some will have a “traditional” worship assembly and then a “contemporary” assembly on the same day. These groups are apparently divided on how to worship God. God is the author of worship, and He determines appropriate devotion towards Him. It is not to be left up to man to decide what is acceptable. John 4:23-24 says, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Surely, one can see the folly of saying that “one church is just as good as another.” When the logic behind such reasoning is rendered invalid, it could very well be that some are left asking, “How can one choose a church that is acceptable in God’s eyes?”

The simple answer is we must choose to be a part of the blood-bought body of Christ (Acts 20:28; cf. Eph. 4:4) that seeks to practice the things revealed in God’s Holy Writ (John 17:17) by not adding to nor taking away from things revealed in His word (Revelation 22:18-19). If we want to have the type of unity Christ prayed for (John 17:20-23), we must return to God’s word and practice simple New Testament Christianity.

Instead of attending the “church of your choice” this next Sunday, attend the one of God’s design and practice. Matthew 16:18 says, “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.” One church is not just as good as another