“DO YOU ATTENED A CHRISTIAN BIBLE-BASED CHURCH”
(Is it really that complicated?)
You may have heard that it is always a good idea to attend a church that is Bible-based; in other words, attend a church that teaches the Bible and intends to live by the teachings, instructions and commands of the Bible. (Sounds simple enough. Right? Well, maybe you should think again.)
If you live in America, or an English-speaking country, you can have access to over 900 English translations to the Bible and along with that there are over 450 different versions of the Bible in English. (Versions of the Bible refer to different translations and adaptations of the biblical texts into various languages and styles, reflecting diverse theological beliefs, cultural contexts, and translation philosophies.) BibleGateway.com offers a closer look at the versions and how some examples differ. But many good sources suggest that the New American Standard version, the English Standard version and the New King James version are the closest to the Greek and Hebrew languages in which it was written.
Okay. We have over 900 translations, over 450 versions and we also have over 200 denominations identifying as Christian in America (and over 45,000 worldwide). This leads to a wide (and wild) variation of what different translations say, differing versions further say, and denominations are saying what they think, and all of this is man-made or man-influenced!
Let me give you a few simpler examples:
The Presbyterian Church of America (the conservative side, and as opposed to the Presbyterian Church USA known as the liberal side, or the ECO, a covenant order of Evangelical Presbyterians, or the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, among a few others) has an additional book named the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. These documents summarize the system of doctrine taught in the Bible and are foundational to PCA beliefs. This denomination also has the Book of Church Order which is commonly referred to as BCO, is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America, which is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word Of God. All of these additional helps explain how the fathers and leads of the Presbyterian Church PCA believe, live and govern.
The Southern Baptist Church, in addition to the Bible, use the Baptist Faith and Message, which is a statement of their beliefs and doctrines. They may also refer to various confessions of faith and other theological writings that align with their interpretations of Scripture, as opposed or compared to the other 26 Baptist denominations in America. These denominations encompass a wide range of beliefs and practices, reflecting the diversity within the Baptist tradition.
The Nazarene Church has The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene as its official sourcebook for church government, bylaws, history, doctrine, and policy. This manual is updated every four years during the General Assembly.
There are 24 different variations of Catholic Churches, which include the Roman Catholic Church and 23 other “sui iuris” churches that are governed separately but are in communion with Rome. These churches have their own traditions, history, and liturgical practices. The Catholic Church uses the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a key resource for its doctrines and teachings, alongside the Bible. This comprehensive manual outlines the faith, sacraments, and moral teachings of the Church.
And all of these ‘guiding documents’ which are meant to explain scriptures are man-made or man-inspired, which as we all know, make them suspect and explain the wide and wild variations.
Next, there are those calling themselves Christian but are generally identified as cults, such as Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Christian Science, which all have unique doctrines that differ significantly from traditional Christian teachings, but are luring hundreds, even thousands away from the true Gospel Message of Jesus Christ.
And finally, research studies show that someplace between 50 percent and 73 percent of mainline Christian pastors do not believe the Bible is totally accurate, so it begs the question ‘just what are they teaching’?
Now, who do you believe will accurately and rightly teach you the Bible? Who can you trust for the Gospel? And are you certain you are attending a Bible-based Christian Church? Believe me, it matters.
THE HISTORY:
First, let’s recognize that the Bible didn’t appear all at once—it’s the result of a long, layered process spanning many centuries. To understand how and why it came to exist, it helps to think of it in three stages: (1), events, (2), writings, (3), collection (canon).
Number 1. Why the Bible came to exist.
At its core, the Bible exists because people believed God was revealing Himself in history and wanted to preserve, explain, and pass on that revelation.
In the Old Testament:
- Ancient Israel believed God acted in real events—like the Exodus from Egypt.
- These events shaped their identity as God’s people.
- They wrote them down to:
- Preserve their history,
- Record God’s laws (like in Leviticus),
- Call people back to faithfulness (through prophets like Isaiah),
In short: the Old Testament exists to document God’s covenant relationship with Israel.
In the New Testament:
- Early Christians believed God had acted decisively through Jesus Christ.
- After His life, death, and resurrection, His followers needed to:
- Record what He said and did,
- Teach new believers,
- Defend against false teachings,
So the New Testament exists to preserve the message about Jesus and guide the early Church.
Number 2. How the Bible was written
The Bible was written over about 1,000 to 1,500 years by many different authors.
Old Testament writing
- Written roughly between 1400 B.C. and 400 B.C.
- In Hebrew (with some Aramaic).
- Includes:
- Law (Torah),
- History,
- Poetry (like Psalms),
- Prophecy.
Some material started as oral tradition before being written down.
New Testament writing:
- Written between A.D. 50 and 100,
- In Greek,
- Includes:
- Gospels (accounts of Jesus’ life, Gospel of Matthew),
- Letters (like those of Paul the Apostle),
- Apocalyptic writing (like Book of Revelation).
Number 3. How the Bible was collected (the “canon”):
Not every religious writing was accepted as Scripture. Over time, communities recognized certain books as authoritative.
Old Testament canon.
- Gradually recognized by the Jewish people.
- Largely settled by around the time of Second Temple period.
New Testament canon.
- Early Christians used many writings, but only some were widely accepted.
- Criteria included:
- Connection to apostles,
- Consistency with known teaching,
- Widespread use in churches
By the 4th century (councils like Council of Carthage), the 27-book New Testament list was formally recognized.
The Bottom Line:
From a Christian viewpoint, the Bible is not just human writing, it’s inspired by God. It is a good saying. Take for example that
the odds against – yes, AGAINST – Jesus Christ having fulfilled just 48 of the over 450 prophecies written about Him. But, facts show that the odds are 1 to 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, (or 1 to 10 to the 157th power), in favor of something coming to pass, would you bet against it?
In order to give you some perspective, electrons are very small objects. They’re smaller than atoms. It would take 2.5 TIMES 10 to the 15th power of them, laid side by side, to make one inch. Even if we counted 250 of these electrons each minute, and counted day and night, it would still take 19 million years just to count a line of electrons one-inch long. 19 MILLION YEARS!
Read that again, please. Why is that significant? It is significant because it gives us evidence that the Bible is true and correct when it says that Christ Jesus came to earth and is the Savior of the world.
A key idea comes from Second Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed.” That means, that human authors wrote in their own styles, but believers hold that God guided the process
The Bible is the infallible, indestructible, inerrant Breathed Word of God; It has been breathed into the hearts, minds and souls of men which inspired them to report and record what they had seen, heard and thought over thousands of years, through trials, tribulations and even under the threats of death, as it came together as a concise and comprehensive Book revealing the Mind of God for all humankind and all of existence. Now we have the final and complete Bible which is prophetic, instructional, creative and causative in all matters pertaining to life, death, the present reality and all of eternity. It concerns you and it pertains specifically to your life presently, your death and your eternity.
HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN?
You cannot necessarily be absolutely certain that a church is actually Bible-based, but you can make a very strong, evidence-based judgment if the church you have chosen or would choose to attend is Bible-based by testing what they teach and how they operate against Scripture.
Here’s a grounded way to evaluate it.
1. Start with the message: What do they teach about the Gospel?
A truly Bible-based church will be clear and consistent on the core message:
- Salvation is by grace through faith (see Ephesians 2:8–9),
- Christ’s substitutionary death is central,
- Repentance and faith are necessary,
- Jesus is fully God and fully man (see John 1).
If a church minimizes sin, avoids repentance, or replaces the gospel with self-improvement or prosperity themes, that’s a red flag.
2. Examine how they use the Bible (this is huge).
It is not just that they quote Scripture—but how they handle it.
A healthy church will:
- Teach through passages in context (not cherry-picked verses),
- Explain meaning before application,
- Let Scripture shape the message—not the other way around.
A key model is Acts 17:11, where the Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to verify teaching.
If sermons feel like motivational talks with a few Bible verses attached, be cautious.
3. Look at their view of authority.
A Bible-based church treats Scripture as the final authority, not:
- A pastor’s personal revelations,
- Church traditions above Scripture,
- Cultural trends.
A guiding principle comes from Second Timothy 3:16–17: Scripture is sufficient for teaching, correction, and training.
4. Check their doctrine statement (don’t skip this).
Most churches publish a “statement of faith.” Read it carefully.
Look for clarity on:
- Salvation (grace vs works),
- The nature of Christ,
- The authority of Scripture,
- Eternal security vs apostasy.
If it’s vague or avoids specifics, that often signals compromise or internal disagreement.
5. Evaluate the leadership
Biblical churches take leadership seriously.
Compare their pastors/elders with qualifications in First Timothy 3 and Titus 1:
- Character over charisma,
- Integrity, self-control, faithfulness,
- Not domineering or money-driven,
A dynamic speaker is not the same as a qualified shepherd.
6. Observe the fruit (over time).
Jesus’ principle in Gospel of Matthew 7:16: “You will recognize them by their fruits.”
Look for:
- Spiritual growth in members,
- Seriousness about sin and holiness,
- Love that is more than surface-level,
- Commitment to truth, even when unpopular.
- Do people come to ‘get’ or do they balance that with what they can give or contribute to the life and mission of the church?
7. Watch for common warning signs
Be cautious if you see:
- Constant focus on money or “blessings”,
- Claims of exclusive truth (“we alone have it right”),
- Little emphasis on sin, judgment, or repentance,
- Leadership that is unaccountable,
- Be certain the church is not ‘pastor led’,
- Scripture used out of context to support agendas.
8. Test it personally
Don’t outsource discernment.
- Read Scripture yourself daily,
- Compare what you hear to the text,
- Ask questions—good churches welcome them.
This is exactly the Berean model again (Acts 17:11).
Bottom line:
You gain confidence a church is truly Bible-based when:
- The Gospel is clear and central,
- The Bible is taught in context and with authority,
- The leaders meet biblical qualifications,
- The fruit matches the message.
Some of what I have written is from my own words. Much of this is gleaned from other respected and thoroughly vetted resources. All of this is done out of respect and the desire to help us all find the base line and ‘true north’ in our desire to know God and to serve Him with the Holy Scriptures and pray as our compass.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
(If you have any questions or comments, please post them below).
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