Sunday, February 26, 2017 am
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
(6)
How are The Universal and Local Church Related?
With this lesson we will conclude our introduction to what is the
church. In this portion of
our study we have identified what the church is, both by definition and
description. We noted that
the term church is used in 2 senses – universal and local.
We have also addressed when the church began and noted how the
church/kingdom are the same.
Today, we want to talk a little more about the difference between the
universal and local church.
Why
is this important? 1)
Because there is misunderstanding of their distinction in much of the
religious world. The concept
of denominationalism is that the universal church is a) a body of all
the different denominations with Christ being its head.
As long as there is agreement on minimal doctrines, then that
denomination is a part of the universal church; b) Within a
denomination, the various congregations comprise the body of Christ.
I.e. The Catholic (a term meaning universal) church.
2) Because of misunderstanding even among brethren who see the Lord’s
church universal as a body of congregations (similar to 1b above) but
without the denominational headquarters;
3) Because we sometimes use terminology that shows a failure to
understand the distinction (for example: We talk about the beginning of
universal church [AD 33] and then we describe the work and organization
of a local church; OR we say something like, “You can’t join the church,
you are added to it” – a true statement concerning the universal church,
but the opposite of becoming part of a local congregation, etc.)
Understanding what the universal and local church are, and how they are
different, helps us to be clear in our conversation AND our function.
a.
As we have noted – the
universal church is a relationship, a fellowship with God.
IF we are saved, we are part of that universal body.
It has not earthly organization or function.
b.
A local church ought to
be related to the universal church in that it attempts to base its
membership upon an understanding of who is saved.
c.
What do the universal
church and local congregations have in common?
i.
Christ is the head –
Ephesians 1:22-23
ii.
Both glorify Him – Eph.
3:21
iii.
Both were designed by
God (Eph. 3:10-11).
iv.
Both are governed by His
same word – we learn about their distinction and similarities through
studying the Bible.
d.
Thought, each local
church exists as if it were the only one on earth.
The point is each LC is independent and autonomous (which we will
address later this year) and not dependent on other congregations for
its survival, etc.
a.
Its beginning
i.
UC – had its beginning
on Pentecost, AD 33 in Jerusalem, etc.
ii.
LC – has its beginning
whenever a group of saints join together to do the work of a local
church. It can be said that
on Pentecost, AD 33 a local church began in Jerusalem, but every other
congregation, even in Bible times had its beginning at a later time.
b.
Number
i.
There is one UC –
Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:4, etc.
ii.
There are many LC –
Romans 16:16, Galatians 1:2, Revelation 1:4, etc.
c.
Membership
i.
UC is all who are saved
in heaven and on earth.
Ultimately about fellowship with God -
No mistakes are in it.
Added by the Lord – Acts 2:41, 47
By definition, if you are saved you are part of it.
ii.
LC is a group of the
saved in a locality. It only
includes the living (cf. Phil. 1:1).
It is about fellowship with one another.
While we seek to ensure that members are also part of the UC, as humans
we can be mistaken. We can
allow into fellowship those who are out of fellowship with God, or we
can deny admission to those God considers a part of the UC.
We JOIN a local church – Acts 9:26 – Paul sought to join the church at
Jerusalem.
You can be saved and not part of a local church – 3 John 9-11, Acts 8:4
– they left Jerusalem and went everywhere preaching the word.
Acts 8:37-39 – the Eunuch baptized in the wilderness, Acts 9:26 –
as Paul sought to join the saints in Jerusalem (was he a member during
this time), etc. NOTE:
Let it be clear, every instance of this in the NT demonstrates a
temporary circumstance! God
wants us to find a sound, faithful congregation and join with these
brethren. You may be moving,
be involuntarily or voluntarily removed from a congregation, etc.
But such should not be your goal.
d.
Removal
i.
UC – The Lord adds and
removes according to His will.
He NEVER makes mistakes.
ii.
LC – first, when one
passes, they are no longer part of that local church.
Again, being human, we can err in this – by NOT removing those who ought
to be disfellowshipped (1 Cor. 5, Rev. 2)
Or possibly removing membership of one who God still recognizes (often
apostate churches do this – 3 John 9-11)
e.
It’s organization
i.
UC – no earthly
organization. John 18:36 (My
kingdom is not of this world…)
With Christ as its head (Ephesians 1:22-23, 1 Peter 5:4).
As we have noted, no working on earth (except as Christians live
faithfully – Ephesians 5:3 – are glorifying Christ and His body – 1
Peter 4:11)
ii.
LC – local organization
– elders, deacons and saints (Philippians 1:1, Acts 20:28, 14:23, etc.).
A local church has a location to meet (Acts 20:7), a work to do,
a treasury (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), worship God following His pattern.
f.
Its purity
i.
UC – because of who it
consists of, it is pure.
Anything defiled will by no means enter therein – Revelation 21:27.
Hebrews 12:14 calls for us to pursue peace and holiness without which no
one will see the Lord.
Ephesians 5:25-27 – Christ died for the purity of the church.
ii.
LC – is commissioned to
keep itself pure – 1 Corinthians 5:4-6 – a little leaven;
Revelation 2:14-16 – Pergamos false teaching in her midst.
Revelation 2:20-21 – Thyatira had corruption being tolerated and
taught. Etc.
Ephesians 5:25-27 – if Christ died to purify the church, certainly we
should strive to keep her pure.
At times, congregations can become impure and corrupt.
The call is for such to repent and return.
g.
It’s duration
i.
UC – since this is what
was established on Pentecost (Acts 2) – i.e. the church/kingdom – it
will endure forever. Romans
8:38-39, Matthew 16:18, Hebrews 12:28
It cannot be destroyed or divided!
When man seeks to discredit or destroy it, when he rebels against
her – he is simply removed!
Fellowship with God is broken!
ii.
LC – come and go.
Revelation 2:5 -
Sadly, they die, or tragically they fall out of fellowship with God and
Christ (Rev. 2:5). To my
knowledge there is no local church that began in the first century that
has consistently endured through today!
Equally sad – local congregations can be destroyed and divided.
We see it far too often when error rears its head, or worse, when
ungodly attitudes prevail and are not repented of.
When we fail to grow as we ought to.
Churches are divided, and even die.
That was Paul’s concern as he wrote 1 Corinthians 1:10, 3:3-4,
etc.
And
thus we contrast the church local and universal.
Clearly, they are related to one another, as both originate from
the same source. But we need
to know the difference as it affects our worship and work as we strive
to be the church Jesus did for and built.
Are you part the church we read about in the Bible – both
universally AND locally?
Think about it.