The Local Church of Christ (Bible Authority, Part 9)

2 Failure to Understand the Church Contributes to… DenominationalismDenominationalism Devaluing of the churchDevaluing of the church “Choosing the church of your choice”“Choosing the church of your choice” Many other corruptionsMany other corruptions

3 Many in Churches of Christ do not Understand the Church Liberal view: “Whatever the individual can do, the local church can do”Liberal view: “Whatever the individual can do, the local church can do” –Looses where the Lord has not loosed Factious view: “Whatever the local church cannot do, the individual Christian cannot do”Factious view: “Whatever the local church cannot do, the individual Christian cannot do” –Binds where Lord has not bound

What is the Church? ekklesia: “to call out of” … “the called out ones” An Assembly - Israel, Acts 7:38 -Gov’t body, Acts 19:39 -Riot, Acts 19:32, 41 An Assembly - Israel, Acts 7:38 -Gov’t body, Acts 19:39 -Riot, Acts 19:32, 41 A SSEMBLY OF S AVED “Called out” of darkness by God, by the gospel 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 2 Ths. 2:14 The Redeemed Matt. 16:18 A SSEMBLY OF S AVED “Called out” of darkness by God, by the gospel 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 2 Ths. 2:14 The Redeemed Matt. 16:18 4

5 To Understand “Church” We Must Think People, not Institution Acts 2:47 Disciples, Acts 6:1, 7Disciples, Acts 6:1, 7 Believers, Acts 5:14Believers, Acts 5:14 Those of “the way”, Acts 9:2Those of “the way”, Acts 9:2 Saints, 1 Cor. 1:2Saints, 1 Cor. 1:2

6 “Church” is a Collective Noun Applied geographically, Acts 9:31; Gal. 1:2Applied geographically, Acts 9:31; Gal. 1:2 Applied to those who compose it, Rom. 16:4; Col. 4:16Applied to those who compose it, Rom. 16:4; Col. 4:16 Applied possessively, Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 15:9; Rom. 16:16Applied possessively, Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 15:9; Rom. 16:16

7 CHRIST { { { { Local Church Acts 11:22 Local Church Rev. 2:1 On earth CHURCH (Local) (elders, deacons, saints) Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1 Churches of Christ Rom. 16:16 Baptized into CHURCH (Universal) Heb. 12:23 Enrolled In heaven

8 The Universal Church God’s people wherever they are found, Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:23-27God’s people wherever they are found, Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:23-27 Relation with God and brethren without organization, 2 Cor. 6:16-18; 1 Pet. 2:17Relation with God and brethren without organization, 2 Cor. 6:16-18; 1 Pet. 2:17 –No worldwide organizational structure, oversight or action –No organizational work or treasury to fund it –Functions distributively (each Christian) Composed of Christians, not churches, Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23, 30; Acts 2:47Composed of Christians, not churches, Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23, 30; Acts 2:47

9 Independent congregation of Christians, Acts 8:1; 9:31; 11:22, 26; Rev. 1:11; 2:1Independent congregation of Christians, Acts 8:1; 9:31; 11:22, 26; Rev. 1:11; 2:1 –A relationship and a functioning organization, 1 Cor. 12:25-27 –A unit (group) with Christ-given work and responsibilities: Preach the gospel to the lost, 1 Ths. 1:8Preach the gospel to the lost, 1 Ths. 1:8 Edify the saints, Acts 11:26; 1 Cor. 14:26Edify the saints, Acts 11:26; 1 Cor. 14:26 Relieve needy saints, Acts 6:1-6Relieve needy saints, Acts 6:1-6 The Local Church

10 Not regional, national or international in its organization, Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2Not regional, national or international in its organization, Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2 Local:Local: –Organizational structure, Phil. 1:1 –Local oversight, 1 Pet. 5:1-2; Acts 20:17, 28 –Local treasury to fund its work, Acts 4:34- 37; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16 The Local Church

11 Local church regulates its membership:Local church regulates its membership: –Who it accepts, Acts 9:26-28; 18:27; Rom. 16:1-2 –Who it refuses, Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:4-7 –Implies responsibilities (1 Cor. 12:14-25) It is an assembly of saints:It is an assembly of saints: –“Come together as a church,” 1 Cor. 11:18 –Whole church “comes together”, 1 Cor. 14:23 –“In the church” (assembly), 1 Cor. 14:28 The Local Church

12 U NIVERSAL C HURCH Added to by the Lord, Acts 2:47 Entered by baptism, 1 Cor. 12:13 None but the saved, 2 Tim. 2:19 Satan cannot prevail against it, Matt. 16:18 L OCAL C HURCH Join oneself to it, Acts 9:26-28 Accepted, received by brethren, Acts 18:27 Some sick and some “sleep”, 1 Cor. 11:30 Satan can prevail against it, Acts 20:29- 30; Rev. 2:5 ContrastsContrasts

13 Universal Church Relationship with Christ, Eph. 1:22-23 No functional organization, over- sight or treasury Distributive (individual) action, Eph. 5:24 Local Church Relationship with other Christians, Ac 15:22-23 Functional organization with oversight and treasury, Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Cor. 16:2 Collective (group) action, Phil. 4:15 ContrastsContrasts

14 Subdivides “the church” into groups never identified in the ScripturesSubdivides “the church” into groups never identified in the Scriptures –Universal church is all the saved without reference to time and place, Heb. 12:22-23 –Local church is a specific group of Christians in a given location with organization and work Can cease being a faithful church of Christ, Rev. 1:20; 2:1, 4-5Can cease being a faithful church of Christ, Rev. 1:20; 2:1, 4-5 DenominationalismDenominationalism