Have people corrupted the church of the book of Acts?

on Jan 13, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Have people corrupted the church of the book of Acts? It’s sad to say, but it’s hard to find a church in my hometown that would be described as the Bible describes the church. – T.C.

A: We think of the church as a building, but there is a group of people, often a minority, in almost every congregation who have personally met the living Christ and can never be the same again. The word church comes from a Greek word, ecclesia, which means “to call out.” The church is composed of all those true believers from Pentecost onward who are united together in Christ. The Bible teaches that we are the body of Christ, of which He is the Head (see Ephesians 1:22–23).

Within the vast complexities, bureaucracies, organizations and institutions of Christendom, there exists the true body of Christ made up of those who have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (see Revelation 21:27). This is the church against which Christ promised the gates of Hell would never prevail (see Matthew 16:18).

The church needs to be called back to Biblical authority. The church today is possibly as far from the authority of the Scriptures as it was in the 16 th century. We desperately need the body of Christ to stand on the truth of the Word of God.

Only a healthy church can help a sick world. Much social action today is nothing but sheer humanism. True members of the church are those who have been transformed by the power of Christ.

The changing of people’s hearts through the teaching of God’s Word is the primary mission of the church. To proclaim the entire Gospel of Christ is the only answer to mankind’s deepest needs. The Lord did not design the church to cater to people’s needs – the Lord breathed life into the church to proclaim His truths.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)