December 5, 2004,. Two new articles every two weeks. Bible Question? E-mail us. THIS ISSUE: "The Local Church" (see below) and "The Universal Church" The Local Church Keith Sharp Introduction In an almost comical attempt to justify the existence of various denominations begun by men, occasionally a misguided soul appeals to the fact John addresses Himself in Revelation "to the seven churches which are in Asia" (1:4). Of course, it is only necessary to read down through verse eleven to see the apostle is writing "to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea," congregations in seven cities rather than seven denominations. In the New Testament, the term "church" is often used of all those who have come to God through Christ, the universal church (e.g., Matthew 16:18). But often the term is used in a local sense, of a congregation or congregations, as in Revelation 1:4,11. Just as the New Testament reveals a pattern for the structure of the people of God universally, so it does for the local church. Proponents of a "new hermeneutic" deny this foundational truth. There is an exemplar and paradigm, but it is not a particular institutional form of the church in history. It is Jesus Christ himself. (Rubel Shelly and Randall J. Harris, The Second Incarnation. 78-79) But the inspired apostle Paul exhorts Timothy, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:13). What are the scriptural characteristics of a local church of Christ? Agreement When Saul of Tarsus came to Jerusalem, "he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple" (Acts 9:26). Barnabas had to prove to the other disciples that Saul was faithful; then he was accepted as one of them (Acts 9:27-28). Each local band of disciples determines its own fellowship. The sole basis upon which we may accept or reject one who seeks to join is by determining if that one is a faithful disciple or not. Thus, a local church is a group of disciples who agree to share with each other in the work and worship of the local group of Christians. Local A congregation is a group of disciples in a given locality (Revelation 1:11; 1 Corinthians 1:2). But how local? When Paul sent greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, he also greeted "the church that is in their house" (Romans 16:3-5). The church assembled in their house. A congregation is local enough that its members come together. Assembles Regularly The church at Corinth came "together as a church" (1 Corinthians 11:18), i.e., the disciples as a body came "together... in one place" (1 Corinthians 11:20; 14:23). The church is to do this at least every first day of the week (Acts 20:7), and all the members of the congregation should be there (Hebrews 10:24-25). The local church is a group of disciples who assemble regularly to worship. Functions Collectively Paul distinguished between the work of the local church as a collective whole and the individual work of its members (1 Timothy 5:16). The church does its collective work by the use of funds contributed by its members each first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), by assembling as a body (1 Corinthians 11:20), through functions planned by its leaders (Acts 6:1-4), or through authorized representatives (e.g., Romans 16:1-2). The local congregation is a band of disciples who function collectively. Organized A mature congregation is composed of bishops (overseers), deacons (servants), and saints (Philippians 1:1). Bishops are also called "elders" or "pastors" (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1-2). Each congregation is to strive to develop and appoint a plurality of qualified men to this office (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). They rule the local church within the confines of God’s word and care for the members spiritually (1 Peter 5:1-4). The Deacons serve the church (cf. Acts 6:1-6). The church also has fellowship with evangelists by supporting them in their work of preaching (Philippians 4:15-16). The work of an evangelist (preacher; 2 Timothy 4:1-5) is not an "office" in the local church as is that of elders and deacons. Elders and deacons function within the local church where they were selected and appointed (1 Peter 5:1-2; Acts 6:1-4), whereas a preacher is a preacher wherever he works (e.g., Acts 8:40; 21:8; Romans 1:14-15; 15:18-19). Each local church is to seek to be scripturally organized. Autonomous The elders of each local church oversee the congregation where they are members (1 Peter 5:1-2). No part of the work of the local church is to be under the oversight of elders of another congregation or the directors of an organization begun with only human authority. Each local church is autonomous (self-governing). Conclusion The local church as revealed in the New Testament is a group of Christians in a given locality who agree to worship together regularly and to do the Lord’s work collectively as an organized, autonomous body. This is the only organization God has given His church. This pattern is to the glory of God (Ephesians 3:10, 20-21), and we dare not violate it (2 John 9). The Local Church - Composed of Saints Who Agree to Work Together - Acts 9:26-28 - Local - 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 16:5 - Assembles Regularly - 1 Cor. 11:18; Heb. 10:24-25 - Functions Collectively - 1 Timothy 5:16 - Organized - Philippians 1:1 - Autonomous - 1 Peter 5:1-2 _______________ ~ ~ ~ TOP OF PAGE

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