In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised to build His church.  This promise began to be fulfilled on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, recorded for us in Acts 2.

Acts 2:47 (NKJV)
⁴⁷ Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

The church is the body of Christ and the Bible tells us that there is only one of them (Ephesians 4:4).  Since those who are saved are immediately added to the church, we know where to find them—in the church.  That is the only place where you will find the saved.

Sadly, there are many counterfeit churches in the world today.  They are called denominations and new ones are popping up all the time.  The good news is that we can recognize the church Christ built because it never changes.  It looks the same today as it did in the first century when it was established.

The doctrine taught by the Lord’s church has not changed.  From the very beginning, the church taught the doctrine given to it by the apostles of Christ.

Acts 2:42 (NKJV)
⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The apostles’ doctrine was the inspired word of God.  When they taught, they were teaching the commandments of Christ.  Paul once told the saints at Corinth, “…the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37).  We are not surprised, then, that the early church continued in that doctrine.  Whenever someone failed to do so, they were condemned (Romans 16:17; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 John 1:9-11).

There are several other things about the church that have never changed, nor ever will.  For example, the organizational structure of the church has not changed.  Local churches were made up of elders (often called bishops or pastors), deacons, and saints (Philippians 1:1) and they still are.

The worship of the church never changed and it still hasn’t.  We read of the church engaging in five acts of worship (singing, praying, teaching, giving, and observing the Lord’s Supper). That is all the church does today.

The work of the church remained the same throughout the New Testament.  We only read of them engaging in three works—evangelism, edification, and benevolence.  The Lord’s church has not changed.  While denominational churches are obsessed with the social gospel that includes recreation, entertainment, and secular education, the church that Christ built continues to do the same three works it has done from the beginning, and nothing else.

Why is the church unchangeable?  It is because Jesus is the head of it, and He is the only one who can change it.  Since He is not authorizing any changes, it remains the same.  Because of this, the Lord’s church is recognizable.  It is up to you to find it.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.