How people choose a church

[Godcrazy]

The Pew Research Centre conducted a poll a few years ago asking people why they chose the church they did, after for example moving to a different area. The most common reasons were the quality of the sermon, the welcome they got, how much they liked the style of worship, and the location of the church. Well behind these was the specific teachings of the church.
So what I’d like to hear people’s views about is whether “doctrinal purity” is, or even ought to be, a consideration in people’s choice of a church. If it’s not, doesn’t that make the religious wars of past centuries quite pointless, and no church should claim to be “the one true church” or whatever?

well like John Ramirez says a pastor with ministry and former devil worshipper, it does not matter even if you are in what you think good church if you do not live holy and have a relationship with God, he could take out those very easily. And he mentioned that is all that matters. (that does include live after the bible) as I understand it Jesus spoke about wheat and the tar. How they grow up together. And are harvested. This is a thing now.

 

[Tigran1245]

The Pew Research Centre conducted a poll a few years ago asking people why they chose the church they did, after for example moving to a different area. The most common reasons were the quality of the sermon, the welcome they got, how much they liked the style of worship, and the location of the church. Well behind these was the specific teachings of the church.
So what I’d like to hear people’s views about is whether “doctrinal purity” is, or even ought to be, a consideration in people’s choice of a church. If it’s not, doesn’t that make the religious wars of past centuries quite pointless, and no church should claim to be “the one true church” or whatever?

The most important thing is apostolic succession. Second in importance is the succession of doctrine from the Apostles. Everything else is less important.

 

[David Lamb]

The most important thing is apostolic succession. Second in importance is the succession of doctrine from the Apostles. Everything else is less important.

I disagree that the most important thing is apostolic succession, as (with the exception of Mathias being chosen to replace Judas Iscariot) it is not even mentioned in the New Testament. Certainly the doctrine the apostles taught is important.

 

[Tigran1245]

I disagree that the most important thing is apostolic succession, as (with the exception of Mathias being chosen to replace Judas Iscariot) it is not even mentioned in the New Testament. Certainly the doctrine the apostles taught is important.

Without apostolic succession there are no Sacraments. And without the Sacraments there is no salvation.

Here are the biblical verses for the doctrine of apostolic succession:

1. Christ as the Source of Apostolic Authority

John 20:21 – “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
Matthew 28:19–20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

These passages show that Christ entrusted the apostles with His own mission and authority. The Church’s ministry begins with this divine commission.

2. Replacement of Judas (Continuity of the Apostolic Office)

Acts 1:20–26 – The apostles choose Matthias to replace Judas “to take part in this ministry and apostleship.”

This episode demonstrates that the apostolic office was not intended to die with the apostles themselves. The Church deliberately maintained the continuity of apostolic authority.

3. Transmission of Ministry through the Laying on of Hands

Acts 6:6 – The apostles laid hands on the first deacons.
Acts 13:2–3 – The Church in Antioch laid hands on Barnabas and Saul for their mission.
2 Timothy 1:6 – “Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
1 Timothy 4:14 – “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you… with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”

These passages establish the biblical pattern of transmitting spiritual authority and ministry through the laying on of hands — the essential act of ordination in apostolic succession.

4. Appointment of Bishops and Presbyters

Acts 14:23 – “And when they had appointed elders in every church… they commended them to the Lord.”
Titus 1:5 – “I left you in Crete that you might appoint elders in every town.”

Paul commissions his disciples to ordain new leaders, indicating a structure of authority that extends beyond the apostolic generation.

5. The Necessity of Legitimate Ordination

Hebrews 5:4 – “No one takes this honor upon himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.”

This principle underlines that sacred ministry must be received through lawful appointment, not by self-assertion — reinforcing the idea of succession through proper ordination.

 

[David Lamb]

Without apostolic succession there are no Sacraments.

Why ever not? The Lord's Supper and baptism do not depend upon apostolic succession, but they are taught in apostolic doctrine.

And without the Sacraments there is no salvation.

Here are the biblical verses for the doctrine of apostolic succession:

1. Christ as the Source of Apostolic Authority

John 20:21 – “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
Matthew 28:19–20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

"Disciples" means followers, in other words, Christians. By no means was every disciple of Christ an apostle. 11 of the initial 12 were. An example of "disciples" being used for Christians was when Paul was in Troas:

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” (Ac 20:7 NKJV)

So when Christ said to the first disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations," He was telling them to evangelise people, not appoint additional apostles.

These passages show that Christ entrusted the apostles with His own mission and authority. The Church’s ministry begins with this divine commission.

2. Replacement of Judas (Continuity of the Apostolic Office)

Acts 1:20–26 – The apostles choose Matthias to replace Judas “to take part in this ministry and apostleship.”

This episode demonstrates that the apostolic office was not intended to die with the apostles themselves. The Church deliberately maintained the continuity of apostolic authority.

No it doesn't demonstrate that. It shows that God wanted the remining 11 to be 12 again.

3. Transmission of Ministry through the Laying on of Hands

Acts 6:6 – The apostles laid hands on the first deacons.

Deacons are not apostles.

Acts 13:2–3 – The Church in Antioch laid hands on Barnabas and Saul for their mission.

Saul/Paul was called "as one born out of due time" to be an apostle. The laying on of hands did not make him an apostle, it was part of setting him and Barnabas apart as missionaries.

2 Timothy 1:6 – “Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
1 Timothy 4:14 – “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you… with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”

These passages establish the biblical pattern of transmitting spiritual authority and ministry through the laying on of hands — the essential act of ordination in apostolic succession.

Nothing in those verses specifies apostles.

4. Appointment of Bishops and Presbyters

Acts 14:23 – “And when they had appointed elders in every church… they commended them to the Lord.”
Titus 1:5 – “I left you in Crete that you might appoint elders in every town.”

Paul commissions his disciples to ordain new leaders, indicating a structure of authority that extends beyond the apostolic generation.

Bishops/overseers and Presbyters are not apostles.

5. The Necessity of Legitimate Ordination

Hebrews 5:4 – “No one takes this honor upon himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.”

True, no Christian minister becomes such by making a "career choice." But what has that to do with apostolic succession?

This principle underlines that sacred ministry must be received through lawful appointment, not by self-assertion — reinforcing the idea of succession through proper ordination.

I agree that all Christian ministers are appointed by God, but it is nothing to do with apostolic succession.