Identifying the Church

How good are you at picking out a criminal? One way suspects might be identified is by a police lineup, where a suspect, along with several “fillers”— people with a similar look—stand side-by-side before witnesses who are often sitting behind a one-way mirror to remain anonymous. Police are not allowed to say or do anything to persuade witnesses to choose someone in the lineup. Some research indicates that sequential lineups (suspects presented one after another) have a higher rate of correct identification than simultaneous lineups (suspects presented all at once).

How good are you at picking out a member of God’s church? Well, it depends on whether you mean the visible or invisible church! You might be fairly accurate pointing out a person who is a member of a local church, but a true follower of God might be more difficult to identify. Some people may not look like Christians to you, but “when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness … in the day when God will judge the secrets of men” (Romans 2:14–16).

The visible church is organized for fulfilling Christ’s great commission to carry the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:18–20). The invisible church includes all believers everywhere in the world who may or may not be part of the visible church. Jesus explained, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16).

God is leading His people, through the Holy Spirit, from the invisible church to the visible church. By uniting with the visible church, followers of Jesus may fully experience true fellowship and unite in full service to finish God’s mission on earth.

Apply It:

Are you a member of God’s invisible church? What keeps you from joining His visible church?

Dig Deeper:

John 4:23; Ephesians 1:15–23; Revelation 14:12

Key Bible Texts

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16 KJV)