• The church
Universal Local
Lord adds Membership Man joins
Vertical, with Christ Fellowship Horizontal, with men
Christ removes Discipline Local church removes
Eternal Duration Time
Independent Function Dependent
Individual Oversight Elders

  • How do we tell what is an authorized work of a local church?

    • A local church is authorized to make provision for duties that:

      • … inhere because of one’s relationship in Christ and

      • … are authorized for Christians to do together

  • All our duties and responsibilities come out of relationships

    • Civil government

    • Economic

    • Social/community

    • Family/domestic

      • Proverbs 22:6; I Timothy 5:6; II Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 6:1-8

    • In Christ

      • James 5:13; Colossians 3:16; I Timothy 2:8; Acts 2:42; Matthew 26:26-29; III John 1:5-6; Romans 12:13; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 4:34-35; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:4-5

  • The local church is authorized to provide for:

    • Worship

    • Edification

    • Evangelism

    • Relief of needy saints

    • Discipline