The Church Jesus Established

Lesson 5 - The Universal Church - The Local Church 

INTRODUCTION

As we strive to properly understand the church, it is important to note the different ways the term is used. At times the term "church" may apply to the universal church but there are occasions when the term applies to Christians meeting together in a particular place or community. This is an important distinction that, if ignored, may lead to much error. For example, the organizational structure found in Roman Catholicism is the ultimate example of failing to see any difference between the universal church and local congregation.

THE WORD "CHURCH" IS USED TWO WAYS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

In the Universal sense, including all the saved everywhere. (Matt. 16:18; 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 1:22,23; Heb. 12:23). In this sense, there is but one church (Eph. 4:4) because there is but one kind of people who are saved -- those who have obeyed the gospel. There is no organization in this universal sense, just individual Christians under Christ, doing His will. Whoever obeys the gospel is a member of it. (Acts 2:41, 47). In this sense there is only one church.

In the Local sense, including God's people in a community who have joined themselves together. (1 Cor. 1:2; 16: 1; Rev. 1:11; Rom. 16:16; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 13:1; 14:23; 15:22). In this sense, there are many churches.

DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN THE UNIVERSAL AND LOCAL CHURCH

Universal church membership includes all those added together by the Lord. (Acts 2:47); all those enrolled in heaven (Heb. 12:23). Foe example,after his baptism, the Ethiopian eunuch was a member of universal church because he was saved, but not yet a member of a local church (Acts 8:38, 39). Local church membership includes those who have joined themselves together in that locality.

Just because one has been accepted as a faithful Christian in one congregation doesn't mean that other congregations must respect this decision. The church in Jerusalem questioned Paul's faith, even though he had been accepted by the Christians in Damascus (Acts 9:19,25-26). Becoming a Christian doesn't automatically make you a member of every congregation. The opposite is also true. Members unjustly withdrawn from by one congregation aren't automatically excluded from the fellowship of other congregations (3 John 5-10). No universal agency on earth exists which determines who is and who isn't a faithful Christian. These questions can only be determined  locally
(1 Cor. 5:1-5 'When ye are gathered together' )-- that is,  only  at the local level. The universal church can't withdraw from anyone! The same is true with Matthew 18:15-17 and 2 Thess. 3:6-15. These passages can only be fulfilled by the local congregation.

The Universal church has no organizational structure on earth. It is simply each Christian working under Jesus according to His will as revealed by the Apostles and prophets. They have no joint action, no common fund, and no meetings. The universal church has no elders or deacons, for these offices are only found on the local level (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:2). Scripture only discusses the qualifications of the officers in the local church, but there is no mention of an earthly office in the universal church and no list of qualifications for such an officer.

The Local church, on the other hand, has organizational structure. Each has a treasury (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Phil. 4:15-17). Each has the rules to appoint oversight (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-3; Acts 14:23; 20:17,28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Note that their oversight is specifically limited to the "flock of God which is among them".

The New Testament never mentions the universal church at work. The New Testament Scriptures are completely silent as to any organized function of the universal church. The necessary conclusion then is that since God has given the church only a local organization--the congregation--He intended that to be the medium to accomplish His work.

a. Preachers were sent out by the local church (Acts 13:1-3). They reported back to the local church. (Acts 14:25, 30). The universal church never supported a preacher.

b. Edifying itself (I Cor. 14).

c. Caring for the needy. In Jerusalem, they looked out men from among themselves. Men to set over the business of caring for their needy widows. (Acts 6). Funds for poor saints in Judea were placed in hands of elders of Judean churches to be administered by them.

d. Only the local congregation selected elders/deacons (Acts 6:1-3).

e. Only the local congregation gathered for worship and observed the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7).

Concerning the collection mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2: It was funds from the members in Corinth that was pooled into a common treasury. Paul again specifies that he wants this monetary prosperity already pooled when he arrives. Never do we find congregations contributing funds into a universal treasury. Their funds remained distinct from the funds of other churches, even when sent to another church in need (I Cor. 16:3-4)

Accountability

Such is a definite lesson we learn from Revelation chapters 2-3. Here we find a great lesson demonstrating the reality of congregational autonomy. The sins and or successes of one congregation in no way tainted or credited the other congregations in the same geographical region. Jesus did not direct the Revelation letter to the 'association of churches in Asia', or the 'church board of Asian churches', or even 'the Asian Diocese.'   The church in Ephesus or Smyrna was not accountable, was not told to repent for the error that was being tolerated in another congregation. This demands a distinction between the local congregation and the church universal.

Questions:
  1. Explain the universal church:
  2. Explain the local church:
  3. At what point do we become members…

    4.       a. Of a local congregation -
          b. Of the universal church -

  4. Define autonomy as it relates to the local church.
  5. Can elders serve over multiple congregations (I Pet. 5:2,3)?    Explain:

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 [ Introduction - The Pattern Concept]   [Lesson 1 - Defining The Church]  [Lesson 2 - Authority Over The Church]  
  [Lesson 3 - How Scripture Authorizes (Pt. 1)]  [Lesson 4 - How Scripture Authorizes (Pt. 2)]   [Lesson 6 - The Church - Not a Denomination]    [Lesson 7 - Timeline -  Church's Establishment]    [Lesson 8 - Worship Designed for the Church] [Lesson 9 - The Lord's Supper]
[Lesson 10 - Worshipping in Song]  [Lesson 11 - Worshipping in Prayer]   [Lesson 12 - The All-Sufficient Church]  
  [Lesson 13 - Elders] [14 - Deacons ]  [Lesson 15 - Evangelists ]   [Lesson 16 - The Social Gospel]     
     [Lesson 17 -Benevolence-According to the Pattern]

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This page last updated: October 27, 1999