Good Church

How to find a good Bible believing church

Brian Kuehmichel
February 23, 2004



Seek those that preach - promote - live by: Scripture filled sermons, personal application of God's word, a life of openness, honesty, integrity, personal charity, giving money in Jesus' name, self-controlled, respectful. There should be faithful believing teachers, with Bible based instruction, showing Jesus is Creator, Lord and Savior. Their message must present salvation is a gift from God received through faith and not obtained by any personal works of righteousness. They must teach Christ crucified and raised to life again to reconcile man to God again.

They will also present one human race that came from a literal Adam and Eve which was separated post-flood into diverse people groups and cultures each needing God's message of salvation in Christ Jesus. Each should honestly address human sins, seek godly conviction for sinful behaviors, and promote personal restitution for wrong-doing with a changed behavior. Their love for one another is evident as demonstrated by word and deed. See: Pastor-Minister-Overseer-Bishop

Baptising church—where confessing believers give a public confession of faith without apology and seek baptism by total water immersion. (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:12)

Believing church—where the truths of Genesis are upheld as the foundation of Christian teaching while showing: man's special creation above animals, duty toward God, rebellion and descent into sin, God's punishment upon man, man's need for salvation, cause of death in this world, basis of redemption by savior, true account of history, basis for the flood of Noah, and source of conflict in middle-east territories, and more. (John 12:16; Acts 24:14; Romans 15:4)

Building church—where the church makes disciples (often through altar calls), helps them grow, and teaches them how to disciple others. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Matthew 7ch; 28:18-20)
-If people are not being won to Christ and if those are not being taught to live out God's Word, then it's not Jesus Christ's kind of church. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)

Christian church—where people believe the true gospel of salvation by faith in the sinless life, atoning death and resurrection of Christ Jesus and give clear evidences of regeneration by being under His Lordship. — This gospel started in Genesis and is expanded throughout the old testament and made plain in the new testament. (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15; Acts 20:21; 26:18; Galatians 2:16, 20; 3:22, 26; Philippians 3:9; 2:7-11; 1 John 4:2,3, and 2 John 7.

Conservative church—where the pastor(s) and leadership are not endeavoring to be on the cutting-edge of change, novelty, ministry faddishness and where dignity and propriety in attire, worship, and music is upheld. (Romans 12:3, 10; 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3)

Correcting church—where the church teaches and upholds personal separation from sin unto God and willfully disobedient brethren are separated. — This church balances the unity of believers and the separation of disobedient confessing believers from the fellowship of the congregation to be treated in love as an unbeliever who needs repentance and reformation. (John 17:20-23; Ephesians 4:3; Romans 16:17)

Dispensational church—where Biblical interpretation is applied in the literal/normal method to maintain the proper distinction between Israel and the Church. (John 16:13; Luke 24:45; Ephesians 1:18; 3:4; Colossians 1:9; 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:15)

Family church—where the sanctity of life, marriage, family and covenants are taught to believers and their children. (Leviticus 17:11; Deuteronomy 30:19; John 6:40; Matthew 19:5-6; 2 Chronicles 6:14; Psalm 103:17-18)

Fundamental church—where the simple truths of God's word are preached without apology and the church vigorously defends the truthfulness and reliability of Scripture. (Romans 15:4; John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15)

God-centered church—where God's perfect word (the whole Bible) is believed, God is viewed as the author and finisher of our faith, and His glory is the ultimate aim of all that we do. (Psalm 99:5, 9; 145:17; John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15)

Helping church—where the church shows forth a love for God AND each other through actions of helpful loving kindness. (Matthew 22:37-39; Galatians 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Neighborhood church—where the church reaches out through loving helpful ways to their neighbors AND to those who oppose them. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 19:19; Mark 12:33; Luke 6:33-38; Romans 13:9-10; Galatians 6:10; Titus 2:7; Hebrews 13:21; James 2:8)

Separated church—with ecclesiastical separation from false teachers, misguided church heirarchy and from syncretistic ecumenism. (2 Corinthians 11:13; Galatians 2:4; Philippians 3:1-3; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1)

Teaching church—where the preaching comes from the scriptures leading people to faith in Christ alone as the only way to heaven. (Exodus 18:20; Deuteronomy 11:19; Matthew 28:19-20)


Contrast with a bad Church here: Bad Church


May we suggest starting to look for a good church at:
Evangelical Free Church of America