The Church and Authority
Paul wrote to the saints at Ephesus commanding them to be one people who were united in faith, in doctrine, and in hope, saying, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, in one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are 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.” [Ephesians 4:3-6]. Contrast this Scripture with Christianity today, for there are more than 40,000 different denominations in the world, and yet there is one God and one head of the Church, or body, which is Christ Jesus our Lord. [Ephesians 1:22-23 and Ephesians 4:15].
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With so many people striving to follow the Lord, how can we know which path is true? For surely there are many doctrines and churches. However, God has given us a pattern through the Scriptures concerning the Church that Christ established while on the earth, as well as the authority the Church was founded upon, of which the Holy Ghost bears record. The Lord God has done this so we might know and recognize with a surety His authority, His Gospel, His Church, and His voice.