The church

  • Universal sense: Ephesians 3:15; 2:12; Hebrews 12:23
  • Local sense: I Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1

Apostasy in the church

  • Apostasy within the church often arose because of laziness within the eldership. Rather than handling their own needs, they sent money to another local church and let them handle it. This is not God’s pattern.
Universal Local
Lord adds (Acts 2:47) Membership Man joins
With deity (I John 1:7) Fellowship With man
Christ controls (Revelation 2:5) Discipline Man controls (I Corinthians 5:4-5, 7)
Eternal (Philippians 1:27) Duration Time
Independent Function Joint
Individual Oversight Elders
  • There is no such thing in scripture as joint participation of churches.