Counterfeit currency has become so great a problem in our society, many stores now have counterfeit detection machines at their checkouts. This no doubt has helped to pull the fraudulent cash from the marketplace. However, there are still many portals into the money system for counterfeiters to use. In it’s 2002 Crime Overview, the London Police Service(London, Ontario) disclosed a 17% increase in fraud reports, and a 73% increase in counterfeit money reports over the previous year. The likelihood that you will receive a bogus bill is increasing year after year.

One encounter with a counterfeit note will be enough to make anyone appreciate the high cost of these lookalike bills. The Bank of Canada will not and cannot honour counterfeit money, for to do so would encourage criminal action. They will take your fake money, removing it from the market, but you receive nothing in return. A $5 bill may not hurt too much, but imagine losing $20, $50 or $100 to counterfeit. OUCH!!

Friend, I suggest there is a much more serious counterfeit operation in the world than this, one which few are aware of, and which affects us far beyond our pocketbooks. Would you believe that counterfeiting is more of a problem in the religious world than it ever will be with our currency? A common perception among people, whether religious or not, is that it really doesn’t matter – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism. Just different ways to the same end, right? Not so! These present different doctrines, different hopes, different philosophies. A prophet of God wrote many years ago, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3). The prophet speaks of the agreement needed between God and those who will serve Him. There are not as many ways to God as there are religions in the world. We must come to God according to His will, not our own. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). Any religion which excludes Jesus as the means by which eternal life is obtained is counterfeit. Furthermore, of the ‘religious texts’ from both antiquity and our modern era, none compare to the consistency and accuracy of the Bible. It is a perfect text, the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 1:3).

But even in the realm of what is commonly called Christianity, we must carefully seek that which is authentic. Counterfeit churches have become a powerful tool of Satan. We hear and read statements such as: “Attend the church of your choice”, “One church is just as good as another”, “It really doesn’t matter what you believe, so long as you believe.” These statements all proceed from the one whom Jesus identified as “the father of lies” (John 8:44).

Counterfeit Christianity has been a source of frustration for many, causing multitudes to give up on ‘organized religion’. Let me say bluntly, the denominational mess which surrounds us is contrary to God’s will. The apostle Paul specifically taught against sectarianism (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). Jesus prayed for His followers, that “...they all may be one...” (John 17:20-21). Jesus came to establish ONE church (Matthew 16:18). The apostle Paul likewise spoke of just ONE church (Ephesians 4:4; cf. 1:22-23). If Jesus only built ONE church, and yet there are thousands in existence today, we have a problem. How do we know which church is the Lord’s? Just as there are identifying marks to find a specific house, car, or person, there are identifying features of the Lord’s church.

Friend, it is so important that we be added to the church Jesus built. Being part of a denomination will simply not do. Jesus purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28). Which church? His church. If we are in a church which was started by someone else, we are in the wrong body of believers. The Bible may be used, the worship may be uplifting, the people may be wonderful; but “...unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it...” (Psalm 127:1).

Take the quiz provided here. Do you attend a church? Is it the church spoken of in the Bible? Perhaps you’re so discouraged by all the division, you don’t go to church. Friend, the Bible clearly identifies the Lord’s church. Seek it out, and be added to it.

Identifying the Lord's Church Quiz:
Click on the appropriate answer. A box will pop up
revealing whether you've answered correctly or not.

1. How many churches did Jesus build?
One, made up of different denominations
An infinite number
Only one

2. How does one become a member of the Lord’s church?
Apply for membership
Dedication / Confirmation
The Lord adds me to the church

3. Are names important? I once asked a woman if she’d be alright with me calling her ‘Bob’? Nope! Which of the listed names is biblical for the Lord’s church?
Roman Catholic; Anglican
Baptist; Methodist
Pentecostal; Presbyterian
Church of Christ/ Church of God
Lutheran / Salvation Army

4. Where and when did the Lord’s church begin?
Rome (606 A.D.)
England (1605 A.D.)
U.S.A. (1900 A.D.)
Jerusalem (33 A.D.)
Germany (1517 A.D.)

5. How are funds given to the Lord for use by His church?
Bake sales, bingos, suppers, etc
Sunday collection only
Collection at every service

6. How often does the Lord’s church take communion?
Once a month
Each and every first day of the week
It doesn’t matter

7. Who is the head of the church?
Jesus
The Pope
An elected official

8. Where does the church get it’s doctrines and practices?
From a creed book
From tradition
From the New Testament

9. If the church does things which are not authorized by the New Testament...
It’s okay, if it’s from the heart
It is unaccepted by God
Doesn’t matter. God accepts all worship

10. What is the purpose of baptism?
It shows that we’re already saved
It’s to wash dirt off our bodies
It is the point at which we are saved

11. Once a person is saved, can he be lost?
Yes
Only if an unforgivable sin is committed
No, once you’re saved, you can never lose your salvation

12. The book of Acts supplies several examples of conversion. How many of these prayed a sinner’s prayer to be saved?
Everyone
Everyone who was saved
No one