In theology the categories of the visible and invisible church are often discussed. The visible church consists of those who gather in the name of Christ for teaching, worship and fellowship. The invisible church consists of those who truly know Christ and are truly part of the redeemed forever.

We discuss these categories and their practical implications. The passages we study indicate that there are those who were thought to be part of the church but are not truly born of God. The Lord knows those who are His, but we can make wrong judgments about this.

In many cases, large congregations have few of the truly redeemed as is evidenced by the lack of fruit and sound Bible teaching. Some claim the title “church” but forthrightly deny Christ.

We also discuss how children of believers can grow up in church and know what is supposed to be believed, but not truly have a relationship with Christ.

Some of the children and grand-children of Christians become leaders who take churches in liberal and unbiblical directions. We show that the Bible predicts this.