Review

  • The universal church is NOT composed of local churches. It is composed of individual Christians.

Oversight

“church”

  • Jesus is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). There are no earthly leaders.
  • John 10:14
  • Matthew 16:18

“churches”

  • Elders are to be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
  • Acts 15:2; 20:17; Philippians 1:1
  • I Peter 5:1-2
  • There is no reference to elders being overseers of anything other than a local church.
  • I Thessalonians 2:13
  • Acts 8:18
  • Acts 15:7, 12-13 – They were revealing what God had already decided. It was not men getting together to decide church doctrine.

Treasury

“church”

  • There is none.

“churches”

  • Churches collect and use money on a congregational level. (I Corinthians 16:1-4; Philippians 4:15-16)

Work of the church

“church”

  • The word “church” in this sense simply refers to all saved people (Ephesians 5:23-29; Hebrews 12:22-24), but they are not a universally functioning entity.
  • Romans 16:16 – Multiple churches sent greetings, but this is not a collective action.

“churches”

  • Churches engage in lots of different actions and work.
    • Help needy saints in the local church (Acts 6:1-6)
    • Help needy saints in other churches (Romans 15:26)
    • Add/subtract members (Acts 9:26-28; I Corinthians 5:13)
    • Assemble to worship God and edify each other (I Corinthians 14:23-26)
    • Have overseers and deacons (Philippians 1:1)
    • Make decisions (I Corinthians 16:3)
    • Help sinners repent (Matthew 18:17)
    • Partake of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:17-24)
    • Sing spiritual songs (I Corinthians 14:26)
    • Pray (I Corinthians 14:15)
    • Teach God’s word (I Corinthians 14:26)
    • Collect money (I Corinthians 16:2)
    • Sound forth the word (I Thessalonians 1:8)
    • Support preachers in other places (Philippians 4:15-16)
    • Etc.
  • The work was done on a local level.

Takeaways

  • Don’t think of the church as a denomination.
    • Romans 14:12
  • Jesus is my primary authority, not the local church.
    • Acts 11:20-26
    • Local churches make mistakes!
    • No person has the authority to rewrite God’s rules.
  • The local church is a spiritual team.
    • Philippians 1:27