What Is The Church Of Christ? THE BIBLICAL VIEW Explanation of this view is necessary to understand it. is necessary to understand it.

What Is The Biblical View? There is the Church of Christ in the "universal" sense. There is the Church of Christ in the "universal" sense. There Is the Church Of Christ in the “Local church” sense. There Is the Church Of Christ in the “Local church” sense. Both are described in the Bible. Both are described in the Bible. Last week we looked at the sense of the “Universal Church”. Last week we looked at the sense of the “Universal Church”. Today let us look at the sense of the “Local Church”. Today let us look at the sense of the “Local Church”.

Composed of Christians in one location A local church is made up of Christians in one geographical area A local church is made up of Christians in one geographical area E.g., the church at Corinth, the church of the Thessalonians - 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1 E.g., the church at Corinth, the church of the Thessalonians - 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1 In contrast, the church universal is made up of Christians everywhere and of all time! In contrast, the church universal is made up of Christians everywhere and of all time!

There are many churches Paul had reference to local churches when he wrote Romans 16:16 “the churches of Christ salute you” Paul had reference to local churches when he wrote Romans 16:16 “the churches of Christ salute you” And again when he wrote Galatians 1:2 “to the churches in Galatia (a region). And again when he wrote Galatians 1:2 “to the churches in Galatia (a region). When it comes to the church universal, though, there is just one!. When it comes to the church universal, though, there is just one!.

Begins wherever people join together As the gospel spreads and people respond to it, those in a particular area start a local church when they agree to work together as one As the gospel spreads and people respond to it, those in a particular area start a local church when they agree to work together as one Just as the church in Antioch began later than the church in Jerusalem - Ac 11:19-26 Just as the church in Antioch began later than the church in Jerusalem - Ac 11:19-26 All the churches that Paul established on his missionary journeys All the churches that Paul established on his missionary journeys Whereas the church universal began in Jerusalem on Pentecost, local churches have begun at different places and different times! Whereas the church universal began in Jerusalem on Pentecost, local churches have begun at different places and different times!

Enter by joining ourselves When one wishes to become an accepted member of the local church, they must "join themselves" to that church When one wishes to become an accepted member of the local church, they must "join themselves" to that church Such as Paul sought to do when he came to the church in Jerusalem - Acts 9:26-28 Such as Paul sought to do when he came to the church in Jerusalem - Acts 9:26-28 Whereas one is "added" by the Lord Himself to the universal church, we can seek to "join" a local congregation (if its members are willing to accept us) Whereas one is "added" by the Lord Himself to the universal church, we can seek to "join" a local congregation (if its members are willing to accept us)

Enrolled by human judgment Whether we are accepted into a local church is a decision made by the leaders or members of that church Whether we are accepted into a local church is a decision made by the leaders or members of that church Sometimes people are rejected when they should be received - 3 John 5-9 Sometimes people are rejected when they should be received - 3 John 5-9 Sometimes people are accepted when they should be rejected Sometimes people are accepted when they should be rejected Evil men may succeed in kicking one out of a local church, but only the Lord determines who stays in the universal church! Evil men may succeed in kicking one out of a local church, but only the Lord determines who stays in the universal church!

Consists of both saved and lost Since enrollment occurs through human judgment, fallible decisions can be made Since enrollment occurs through human judgment, fallible decisions can be made A local church may therefore have some who are nominal Christians - cf. Revelation 3:1-4 A local church may therefore have some who are nominal Christians - cf. Revelation 3:1-4 Hypocrites and all sorts of sinners may become members of a local church; but they don't sneak by the Lord to become members of the universal church! Hypocrites and all sorts of sinners may become members of a local church; but they don't sneak by the Lord to become members of the universal church!

Do not have to be in this to be saved One can be saved, and not belong to any local church One can be saved, and not belong to any local church Such was the case of the Eunuch immediately following his conversion, Acts 8:39 Such was the case of the Eunuch immediately following his conversion, Acts 8:39 and of Paul when he was in transit between Antioch and Jerusalem - Acts 9:26 and of Paul when he was in transit between Antioch and Jerusalem - Acts 9:26 Of course, this should be temporary because there are duties the individual Christian must do in a local church Of course, this should be temporary because there are duties the individual Christian must do in a local church Those duties cannot be done in the universal church, it is impossible! Those duties cannot be done in the universal church, it is impossible!

Has earthly organization A local church when scripturally organized will have bishops and deacons - Philippians 1:1 A local church when scripturally organized will have bishops and deacons - Philippians 1:1 These bishops were also called "elders" and "pastors", whose role was to oversee and feed the local congregation - Acts 14:23; 20:17,28 These bishops were also called "elders" and "pastors", whose role was to oversee and feed the local congregation - Acts 14:23; 20:17,28 The only role or position ever given men over the universal church on earth was the apostles and they were not replaced when they died The only role or position ever given men over the universal church on earth was the apostles and they were not replaced when they died

Can be divided Local churches can easily be divided over doctrine or personalities Local churches can easily be divided over doctrine or personalities Such was the case with the church at Corinth - 1 Corinthians 1: 10-13; 3:3,4 Such was the case with the church at Corinth - 1 Corinthians 1: 10-13; 3:3,4 While we can't divide the universal church, we can be responsible for dividing local churches! While we can't divide the universal church, we can be responsible for dividing local churches!

Death does affect membership When we die, our membership in a local congregation ends When we die, our membership in a local congregation ends When Stephen died, he was no longer a member of the Jerusalem church - Acts 8:1-2 When Stephen died, he was no longer a member of the Jerusalem church - Acts 8:1-2 But our membership in the church universal continues on after death! But our membership in the church universal continues on after death!

May use different scriptural names Showing relationship to God or Christ - 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 16:16 Showing relationship to God or Christ - 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 16:16 Identifying the location of the members - 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2 Identifying the location of the members - 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2 There is no one official name, but we should use scriptural names! There is no one official name, but we should use scriptural names!

Conclusion Last week we studied the universal church. Last week we studied the universal church. This week we studied the local church. This week we studied the local church. Hopefully we understand the difference. Hopefully we understand the difference. Next week we will look at some myths about denominationalism, and see the biblical view of such. Next week we will look at some myths about denominationalism, and see the biblical view of such.