Articles
The Local Church
The term “local church” is not found in the NT. As with all of our terminology, we must take care to accurately reflect scriptural ideas, keeping in mind that the English words used to translate the Greek change as language naturally evolves. The English word church translates the Greek word ekklesia which has a variety of meanings – from a mob gathered for nefarious purposes to the assembly of the Israelites, from God’s redeemed people on earth to saved ones already in heaven. The word essentially means a gathering of people in a particular relation to each other or called together for a unique purpose.
Jesus Himself uses the term relative to his earthly work: “On this rock (i.e., Peter’s confession of His deity) I will build My church …” (Mt 16:18). In almost the same breath He says to Peter, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven …” (16:19). There is a confluence of terminology here, for both Jesus and John had been preaching the coming of a kingdom, and now Jesus says He is building a church to which Peter will be given the “keys.” Which is it, kingdom or church? It is both, for each speaks of Jesus’ divine rule over His spiritual citizenry.
But what about the term “local”? What is its significance in the phrase “local church”? Again, Jesus uses ekklesia only one other time: “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses to even hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector” (Mt 18:17). Jesus is here anticipating the structure of His future disciples on earth; that is, Christians would have a special relationship with fellow believers in their own locale: people they would live near; people they would worship with regularly; people whom they could serve on an immediate basis; people they could be intimate friends with and offer counsel, comfort and compassion.
The same term ekklesia thus refers to all the disciples of the Lord on earth in the aggregate – the universal church – and the local bodies of close association day in and day out – the local church. This usage is fairly obvious as Paul addresses believers in cities such as Corinth, Colosse, Philippi, etc. and directs them in matters of doctrine, worship, unity and collective work. Having said that, we do sometimes have to consider context to determine whether the universal or local church is meant.
It is fairly obvious that it is God’s will for His people, whenever practically possible, to be part of a local church. The popular disdain for “organized religion,” preferring instead to be a “lone wolf Christian” or to fancy oneself as “spiritual but not religious,” is unbiblical (while much “organized religion” is far afield from scripture, we must not conclude that collective worship, work and responsibility is optional). Rather, God recognizes the value of consistent association, mutual effort, group accountability and other benefits of interactions among believers.
The term universal church is nomenclature more than anything; it is the acknowledgement that the gospel is cross cultural and, to one degree or another, globally present. But it has no organizational structure, no officers or administrators, no conventions or bylaws, no mission nor messaging – nothing to define its independent existence and functionality. The universal church is merely all Christians on earth faithfully serving the Lord.
Where the “rubber meets the road,” however, is in the local church. It is the local church that collects funds from its members to do its work (1 Cor 16:1-2). It is the local church that meets weekly to observe the Lord’s supper (1 Cor 11:17ff; Ac 20:7). It is the local church that provides opportunity to learn God’s word through teaching and preaching (Ac 2:42; 11:22-26; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Cor 14:1-19, 26-33; etc.). It is the local church that holds saints accountable and even disciplines them when necessary (Mt 18:17; 1 Cor 5; 2 Th 3; Rom 16:17). It is the assemblies of the local church that are not to be forsaken (Heb 10:25). It is in assemblies of the local church that we will be able to teach and admonish one another via hymns (Col 3:16). It is in assemblies of the local church that we can with one voice pray to God regarding our mutual needs and concerns (1Tim 2:1-3, 8). While as an individual Christians we can sing, pray, study and do other things that promote our growth, our collective engagement in these things is indispensable to our overall spiritual development.
Local church membership is not defined in having one’s name in a directory, sporadic attendance at assemblies, dropping money in the collection plate, maintaining a superficial acquaintance with other members, etc. These are the things people do in social, recreational or business clubs where membership is lax, casual, occasional and relatively unimportant.
The local church does not exist for our haphazard, periodic or sporadic participation on our own terms and for selfish benefits. Rather, it is described as a body wherein each part plays a vital role in the healthy functioning of the whole: “for in fact the body is not one member but many … But now indeed there are many members, yet one body … there should be no schism in the body, but that members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (1 Cor 12:14, 20, 25-27).
As an outgrowth of these vital and cherished relationships …
1. The spiritual are to help restore the fallen – Gal 6:1.
2. The burdens of life are mutually born – Gal 6:2.
3. The lambs are shepherded by elders – 1 Pet 5:1-4.
4. The death of the Lord is proclaimed weekly – 1 Cor 11:24-26.
5. The spirits of all are mutually lifted – Ac 4:23-31; Ph 2:2-4.
6. The gospel shines forth – 1 Th 1:8.
7. The heavy load of kingdom work is lightened – Gal 6:6.
8. The loneliness of life is eased – Mk 10:29-30 … AND MUCH MORE!
Living out one’s obligations to the local church is not optional, for the church is a vital part of God’s plan to save the souls of His saints. Is this the lens through which you see your role in your local congregation?
