Has there ALWAYS been a true church?

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Esaias

So... the church then is not a definite local assembly of believers? But rather an iinvisiblembership list of individuals? Often based solely upon whether or not the individual believes in Jesus (however defined)?

Honestly I find that hard to believe. It seems to be counter to the teaching of the Bible. Regardless of what constitutes correct theology vs heresy does not the bible indicate the church is an assembly of God's people? An actual assembly?

See Aquila's answer.

I find it even harder to believe is a definite local assembly of believers, and much more difficult to believe that such an assembly has an unbroken line back to Christ and the apostles.

There has always been a church, but not only one name (catholic, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Baptist, etc). The only "name" that unifies the church is Jesus.