I really want to go to church.  I believe in God, the authority of the Bible in mankind's life, and that Jesus is God's son who saved us from our sins.  But I don't know which church to attend!  Do I pick the closest church?  The biggest?  The fanciest?  The one with the most fun kids programs?  I could go to the one Aunt Mary  took me to as a child.  Or maybe the one where mom and dad were married?  It shouldn't be this hard!  I'm so confused. 

    All I want to do is worship God, obey His Word, study the Bible and guide our family towards a home in heaven.  We don't even know where to begin.  Aren't all churches the same?  Does it even matter where I go?  How important is it?

      Why are there so many denominations to choose from?  Would somebody please help me? 

    I'm going to close my eyes and imagine the church as it was in the 1st century.  On the first day of the week, the early Christians are meeting to worship, pray, sing, study, give of their means, and fellowship each other.  I hear voices singing as the piano hadn't been invented yet.  Followers of Christ were called just Christians or brethren.  None of today's denominational names existed.  Man had not invented them yet.  The church was called "The Way", The church of God, The Disciples of Christ, The church of Christ.  That's what I want.  Pure and simple, no-frills, non-denominational, 1st century, New Testament worship.

    Is the early church still in existence?  If so, where can I find it?

    The answer to that question lies within the pages of the Holy Bible.  Many people choose their place of worship because of human rather than scriptural reasoning.  How joyous it is to know that yes, the early church does still exist!  You can worship at a congregation of the one and only church Christ established.
   
    It's often difficult to separate tradition from truth.  Habit and tradition influence our actions and beliefs.  We must examine what we believe to make sure it is based on what the Bible teaches rather than merely what we've been taught by parents or friends.  If we don't test our beliefs against the Bible, we might perpetuate human opinions rather than God-ordained doctrine.  We must be responsible for what we teach others.  Are we teaching our opinion, traditions of men, or are we listening to God's voice?  The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit will guide us and lead us into all truth.  Man-made traditions can not make that claim, nor can they save our souls in eternity.