Little Red Book Ministry

D. Why should I be involved in a local church? Besides being a commandment of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:25), being a member of a local church provides many benefits to the sincere Christian. A few of these are:
1. Encouragement in the faith
Ephesians 3:19–21

2. Christian fellowship, family, and community
Acts 2:41; 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 12:22–23

3. Exhortation to grow strong in the faith
1 Peter 2:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Peter 3:18

4. A place to minister
1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 4:11–12; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 1:17

5. A place to worship God
Psalms 45:11; Psalms 96:9; Matthew 4:10

III. What Are the Critical Criteria for Choosing the Right Church?
Choosing the right church is not a matter to be taken lightly. You need to know where the church stands on the important issues of the faith. Many modern churches have strayed far from biblical truths for a variety of reasons. You cannot grow properly in a church that has abandoned some of the principles of the faith. You need to pray for wisdom before making a final choice on a church (James 1:5). The following is a list of the fundamental beliefs that are absolutely necessary for a church to be true to the biblical precepts given for the Church. Two of these issues have been dealt with in detail in previous lessons and the rest will be dealt with in detail in subsequent lessons. Therefore no scriptural references will be provided at this time with these statements. Any prospective church should willingly provide you with a copy of their doctrinal positions that you may compare with the list below.

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16).