What is a local church, continued?

When do you have local church action, continued?

When all local church members act together?

  • Not necessarily.

When all local church members act together in Christ?

  • Yes.
  • I Timothy 5:16 – Caring for widows.
  • Acts 4:32-5:4 – Once the money was in the common fund, that was something different than an individual’s own money.
  • John 12:3-6 – The money belonged to the apostles, but Judas was setting some aside for himself.
  • Matthew 18:15-17
  • Philippians 2:25, 30; 4:14-18 – Epaphroditus did the work, but Paul attributed it to the church because Epaphroditus was doing it on their behalf.
  • I Corinthians 11:17
  • Philippians 1:27

Local churches are authorized to provide for the preaching of the gospel

Overview of New Testament passages

  • Acts 11:21-23 – “they sent Barnabas”
  • Acts 13:1-3 – “teachers … they sent them”
  • Acts 14:26 – “commended … they began to report”
  • Acts 15:1-3 – “sent on their way by the church”
  • I Corinthians 9:1-18 – “get their living from the gospel”
    • Acts 18:1-4