Pillars
of the Faith
Pillar 6, Local
Church (short summary)
Tod
Kennedy, February 18, 2001
The local church is particular group of believers who regularly
meet together under the spiritual authority of a pastor-teacher so that
he may equip them to serve and to build up the church (Ephesians
4.11-12; 1 Peter 5.1-4; Acts 20.28-30).
1.
Description
and purpose:
The local church is particular group of believers who regularly meet
together under the spiritual authority of a pastor-teacher so that he
may equip them to serve and to build up the church (Ephesians 4.11-12; 1
Peter 5.1-4; Acts 20.28-30).
2.
Characteristics:
A.
The
local church members are believers in Jesus Christ and members of his
spiritual body (Ephesians 1.13-14, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 12.13);
B.
They are a local group (Romans 16.5; 1 Corinthians 14.34; Colossians
4.15; Philemon 2) within a geographical area (1 Corinthians 1.2; 1
Thessalonians 1.1);
C.
They
meet together regularly (Hebrews 10.25; Philemon 2; Colossians 4.15);
D. They
have a unity and camaraderie (Romans 12.10; Ephesians 4.3);
E.
They
have a working unity in salvation, doctrine, and ministry (Ephesians
4.3-6;
Philippians 1.27; 2.2-3)
F.
They
serve based upon God’s plan (Ephesians 2.10), spiritual gifts (1 Peter
4.10; 1 Corinthians 12), and divine unconditional love (1 Corinthians
13.4-7).
3.
Authority
and organization:
1.
God
has appointed the pastor-teacher, elder, overseer (all words refer to
the same individual) to authoritatively teach, guard, lead, rescue,
heal, and comfort the believers in one local church (Ephesians 4.11-12;
Acts 20.17, 28-30; 2 Tim 4.2; Hebrews 13.17; 1 Peter 5.1-4);
2.
The deacons (servants of God, the pastor-teacher, and the church) are a
team of servants in the local church (Phil 1.1; 1 Tim 3.8-10).
4.
Ministries
by the church members:
A.
Each
believer in a local church has a spiritual gift which is a special
ability from God to serve God and the church (1 Corinthians 12.4-7;
Romans 12.6-8; Ephesians 4.11; 1 Peter 4.10).
B.
The
local church members engage in evangelism, teaching, and encouraging
(Matthew 28.19-20; Acts 1.8; 2 Corinthians 5.14-21; Ephesians
6.15; Hebrews 5.11-16; 1 Peter 3.15; 2 Corinthians 1.4; 1
Thessalonians 4.18; 5.11,14; Hebrews 3.13; 10.25).).
C.
The
local church ought to have
a consistent prayer life (Acts 2.42; Romans 12.12; 15.30;Ephesians 6.18;
1 Thessalonians 5.17).
D.
The
local church has the opportunity to freely give money to support local
church and its ministries (1 Corinthians 16.1; 2 Corinthians 8.1-15;
9.1-13; Galatians 6.6; Philippians 4.15; 1 Timothy 5.17-18) and to
assist believers who are in
need (Galatians 6.10; Ephesians 4.28; 1 Timothy 5.16; 1 John 3.17-18).
E.
The
local church practices two rituals, water baptism of believers (Matthew
28.19; Acts 8.12 and 16; Acts 16.33; 1 Corinthians 1.13-17) and the
Lord’s table (1 Corinthians 11.23-29.
5.
Warning:
the church should have a genuine interest for each other and at the same
time refrain from interference in the life of any person in the church.
The church should be free from any judging, criticizing, or gossiping
about other members (Romans 12.13; Galatians 6.2, 6, 10; 1 Thessalonians
5.15; 1 Peter 4.15; 1 John 3.16-17; Matthew 7.1-2; John 21.21-22; Romans
14.1-13; 1 Corinthians 4.1-7; Colossians 3.17, 23; 2 Thessalonians 3.11;
1 Timothy 5.13; James 4.11-12; 1 Peter 2.1; 4.15).
6.
So
what
do we do with the Bible doctrine of the local church? We ought to
practice
A. Consistent attendance.
B. Consistent participation
C. Consistent blessing, that is giving blessing and receiving blessing.
