A Sound Church “Is there a sound church in that area?” “Sound” is a Bible word! 2 Timothy 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1,8. From hugianino, “to be healthy, sound in health.” From which “hygiene” is derived. Metaphorically, “Sound” refers to: “Doctrine,” I Tim. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:3; Tit. 1:9;2:1 “words,” I Timothy 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13; Tit. 2:8. “Sound in the faith,” Titus 1:13.

Observations: “Sound” may be used in an accommodative sense to refer to local churches. However, “sound” is often misused. – May become a one-issue word, resulting in grievous omissions. Cf. Matthew 23:23. Soundness is not determined by what I, or any man, thinks. Man’s ideas may be false: – Cf. “For me a church must be Bible-based, doctrinally sound, pro-Israel, Premillennial.”

Soundness Viewed Negatively: It is Not Determined by a Church’s Reputation. – Reputation Versus Character. – Revelation 3:1, 17. It is not Determined Exclusively by the Doctrine it teaches! – Ephesus had every reason to be sound in doctrine. Acts 20:20; 26,27,31; I Timothy 1:3 – But look at Ephesus years later! Revelation 2:2,4,5.

A Sound Church is One that Seeks to be Scripturally Organized. Titus 1:5. With Regards to “Organization,” A local church may be: – Scripturally unorganized, Acts 14:23. – Scripturally organized, Philippians 1:1. – Unscripturally Organized, 3 John 9 – Unscripturally unorganized, Titus 1:5.

A “Sound Church” is one In Which All Members Know Their Place. Judges 7:15-21; cf. Romans 15:4 Note the Places: – Evangelist, 2 Timothy 4:1-5. – Elders, Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2,3. – Deacons, Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:13. – Saints, Philippians 1:1. Hebrews 10:25. I Corinthians 15:58.

A “Sound” Church Demands Sound Preaching! 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 4:1,2. “Sound Doctrine Produces Sound Churches Demanding Sound Doctrine,” via Gospel Guide, Edward Bragwell. – “I am tired of going to gospel meetings and hearing fluff.” – Some do not preach error per se’ but stop short of proclaiming “the whole counsel of God.” – Motivational hype, and emotional manipulation.

A “Sound” Church Practices Scriptural Discipline! 2 Thessalonians 3:6: “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” Note also I Corinthians 5:5,6. In many places this is the “forgotten command.”

A “Sound” Church is one Whose members are Morally Upright! Matthew 5:8 Romans 12:1,2 2 Corinthians 7:1 Titus 2:11,12 I Corinthians 6:9,10. Corinth had a member practicing incest and they were “puffed up,” having done nothing about the situation! I Corinthians 5:1,2,5,11.

A “Sound” Church is one Where Love Prevails! Love for God, Matthew 22:37. Love for one’s Neighbor, Matthew 22:39,40. Love for Brethren, John 13:34,35. Love for the Truth, 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Psalm 119:97.

Conclusion: Soundness (or spiritual health), as it relates to local churches, is not determined by its size any more than size determines a person’s physical health. Every member of this local church should want this congregation to be sound in all the ways cited. But it all starts with one becoming a Christian? Are you a Christian??