Can the true church be identified by numbers?
Introduction. Interested readers the answer may appear to be equivocal or contradictory, but the answer is a qualified yes. Please allow me to preface the answer by saying that it is good that we are interested in identifying the true church. Jesus did build His church (Matt. 16: 18; Rom. 16: 16). The 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).
Many believe large numbers identify the Lord's church. "My church is the largest church on earth; therefore, I know it is the true church. After all, so many people cannot be wrong," some say. 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. I grant there is the element of relativity. That is, a few compared to how many? Nonetheless, few as opposed to many is taught. 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).
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. "My church is the largest church on earth; therefore, I know it is the true church. After all, so many people cannot be wrong," some say. 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. I grant there is the element of relativity. That is, a few compared to how many? Nonetheless, few as opposed to many is taught. 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).
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.