Is there only one church?

Definition of the Church

The term “church” in Scripture consistently refers to an assembly of those who believe in and follow Christ. One central passage is Matthew 16:18, where Jesus says, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” This statement highlights that the “church” is not merely a building or denomination but a community of believers built on Christ Himself.

In the original Greek text, the word for church is “ekklesia,” meaning “the called-out ones.” It indicates that God calls individuals out of the world into a new fellowship under Christ’s lordship. From the earliest formation as seen in Acts 2, believers came together around core teachings (Acts 2:42).

Christ as the Foundation

Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that Christ is the unifying cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20 states that the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.” In other words, while individual local assemblies exist, they have one unifying foundation—Jesus as the Messiah who died and rose again.

Historical and manuscript evidence affirms this from the earliest Christian writings. Early church manuscripts (including significant codices such as Sinaiticus and Vaticanus) attest to the consistent teaching that Jesus’ death and resurrection form the bedrock for all who believe (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Unity in Diversity

Although believers come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, Scripture teaches that there is ultimately only one church in Christ. Ephesians 4:4–6 affirms this clearly: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Similarly, 1 Corinthians 12:12–13 proclaims: “Just as the body is one and has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” Though there may be diverse forms of worship, cultural expressions, and differing emphasis on certain biblical details, believers share a fundamental spiritual unity grounded in Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Local Expressions, Universal Identity

Early church writings and archaeological evidence show numerous local gatherings or congregations with distinct community practices (e.g., the churches in Philippi, Corinth, Rome). However, these variations did not equate to multiple “churches” in the ultimate sense; they were understood to be expressions of the single universal body of Christ.

Paul writes warmly to different congregations, such as in Romans 16:5, greeting “the church that meets at their house.” Such references indicate that local gatherings are cells of the universal ekklesia. Modern denominations can likewise be viewed as local or organizational expressions of the one global body if they hold to essential doctrines of Christ’s death, resurrection, and lordship.

Historic and Scriptural Evidence

1) Manuscript Consistency: The uniform message in the earliest extant manuscripts of the New Testament underscores a unified belief system centered on Jesus’ atoning work and resurrection. Manuscripts such as P46, one of the oldest collections of Paul’s letters, consistently speak of the oneness of believers in Christ.

2) Archaeological Discoveries: Archaeological digs at sites like Corinth, Ephesus, and Philippi have revealed inscriptions and congregational meeting places pointing to a shared doctrinal core across different cities. Despite local nuances, the communities demonstrate consistent worship elements—prayer, preaching Christ crucified and risen, and fellowship meals.

3) Widespread Testimony: Early Christian authors, such as Polycarp and Ignatius, wrote letters informing congregations that their faith and practice, grounded in Scripture, formed part of the one body. They implored believers to remain steadfast in unified doctrine (John 17:20–21), where Jesus prayed that His followers “may all be one.”

Common Misconceptions

1) Multiple Denominations Equal Multiple Churches: While numerous denominations exist today, denominational separation is more organizational than spiritual—so long as these groups teach the core message of salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection. The oneness of the church refers to the spiritual unity of all who truly follow Christ.

2) The Church as Only a Physical Building: Some interpret “church” as a structure built for worship. According to the New Testament, however, the “church” is always the people who gather, not the venue itself (Acts 17:24). Buildings aid worship, but they are not what unites believers across the globe.

3) Exclusive Club for Perfect People: Scripture teaches that the church consists of redeemed sinners, relying on Christ’s grace (Romans 3:23–24). The unity of the church does not necessitate moral perfection; it rests on the transforming work of the Spirit.

Practical Implications

1) Embrace Unity: Recognizing there is one universal body under Christ encourages unity across geographic, cultural, and denomination boundaries (Romans 12:5).

2) Serve One Another: Ephesians 4:16 calls for believers to knit together in love and serve with their spiritual gifts. This affirms that though we express fellowship in different local bodies, we remain parts of the same spiritual organism.

3) Focus on Essentials: While secondary or tertiary issues vary among assemblies, the singular identity of the church is best preserved by focusing on core doctrinal truths—chiefly, Christ’s resurrection, salvation by grace, and the authority of Scripture.

Conclusion

Scripture testifies to the reality of one church—comprising all who trust in Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. Historical manuscripts, archaeological findings, and early Christian writings confirm this unified identity that transcends geography and time.

Local congregations may look distinctive, but they share a central foundation in the risen Christ and a unity brought forth by the Holy Spirit. For those who place their faith in the Savior, there is indeed only one church. As Ephesians 4:4–5 beautifully declares, “There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”