Can the true church be identified by numbers?
Introduction. Jesus did establish His church as promised in Matt. 16: 18 (Rom. 16: 16). Belonging to the Lord's church is set forth in the scriptures as being necessary to enjoying and maintaining a saved relationship with the Lord (Heb. 10: 25-31; Eph. 4: 12-16; 1: 3, 7). And unfortunately we encounter so many religious groups and denominations today teaching contradictory doctrines that can't all be right (Matt. 15:9; Acts 20:30; 1 Cor. 1:10-12). So, it is critical that we are interested in identifying and being part of the true church. The answer to the question posed above is "yes", but not in a way people may realize.
Many believe large numbers identify the Lord's church. Some say "My church is the largest church in the area or even on earth. Therefore, I know it is the true church. After all, so many people cannot be wrong." This numbers mentality is absolutely misleading and unreliable. The Hebrew scriptures taught: "Thou shall not follow a multitude to do evil..." (Ex. 23: 2). A multitude can be wrong. Regardless, just because "everybody is doing it" does not necessarily mean it is right.
The scriptures teach only a few shall be saved. Hear Jesus: "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: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it " (Matt. 7: 13-14; see 22: 14). I grant there is the element of relativity in this statement; that is, a few compared to how many? Nonetheless, few as opposed to many is taught.
Numbers, large or small, do not constitute the criterion for identifying the true church. The true church has as her creed the scriptures and the scriptures only (2 John 9). Her work is spiritual as opposed to secular or social (1 Tim. 3: 15). She seeks to worship God in spirit (fervor) and in truth (God's word, John 4: 24). She is designated by scriptural terms (cf. Rom. 16: 16). If numbers play a part in identifying the true church, God's people are usually the few in number.
Many believe large numbers identify the Lord's church. Some say "My church is the largest church in the area or even on earth. Therefore, I know it is the true church. After all, so many people cannot be wrong." This numbers mentality is absolutely misleading and unreliable. The Hebrew scriptures taught: "Thou shall not follow a multitude to do evil..." (Ex. 23: 2). A multitude can be wrong. Regardless, just because "everybody is doing it" does not necessarily mean it is right.
The scriptures teach only a few shall be saved. Hear Jesus: "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: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it " (Matt. 7: 13-14; see 22: 14). I grant there is the element of relativity in this statement; that is, a few compared to how many? Nonetheless, few as opposed to many is taught.
Numbers, large or small, do not constitute the criterion for identifying the true church. The true church has as her creed the scriptures and the scriptures only (2 John 9). Her work is spiritual as opposed to secular or social (1 Tim. 3: 15). She seeks to worship God in spirit (fervor) and in truth (God's word, John 4: 24). She is designated by scriptural terms (cf. Rom. 16: 16). If numbers play a part in identifying the true church, God's people are usually the few in number.