Believers and The Local Church

     Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  In this article I would like to address the heresy and teaching that states:  That believers do not have to go or belong to a local body of believers and an incomplete thought that believers of Jesus Christ are part of a universal church.
     Let me begin with the latter part of the issue.  There is no doubt there is a universal Church.  A church that is NOT set up by buildings or any material structure.  The word of God makes reference by saying such:

Ephesians 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

1 Peter 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-22  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  (20)  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  (21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  (22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

     Provided the scriptures above it is already clear that while we as individuals make up part of the universal church, there is a strong indication that even we as individuals are bound together to make up a larger purpose.  

     So yes, we as believers enter a universal church bound together by Jesus Christ but scriptures make it very clear that we as individuals are called to part of a local body of believers (FITLY JOINED TOGETHER).  Let us consider the following:

     No Christian that ever came to Christ was an individual unto themselves.  In other words the bible makes it clear that Christians who came to Christ were baptized and then added to the Church.

Acts 2:41-47  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  

Someone had to baptize them into the Church and someone had to do the counting.  Also note that they were ADDED UNTO "THEM."  This is a strong declarative sentence that there was some form of close possession or group.   They were added to a tangible, material and visual group.  

Those who also were added continued in the apostles TEACHING and FELLOWSHIP.

(42)  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  (43)  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  

     There were teachers who instructed, guided and taught the believers.  They belonged to a community of believers that shared and fellow shipped with one another.  They were not alone but a group.

  

     They also were TOGETHER and shared with one another.

(44)  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  (45)  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  (46)  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  

     They were TOGETHER and continued daily in ONE ACCORD in SINGLENESS of heart.

People saw them together and the works that were happening because of their unity.

(47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

     There was ADDITION to the Church DAILY.  Those that were saved were ADDED to the Church.  Not just some universal invisible group but a real tangible group of believers who shared, cared, taught and ministered together.     

     The text above gives us a clear EXAMPLE of what every believer should be doing when they come to Christ.  This example was placed to show us what Christ intended all believers to do and be.  Why then are people taught differently when we have such a clear and clean example of what believers did?  Why do people believe that being part of a local body of believers is not a NECESSARY part of the Christian Faith?  Where do people get the idea that God is OK with a believer not belonging to a local body of believers? 

Could you imagine if the scriptures said this:  Those who believe were baptized and then they went home.  They never met together, or gathered for fellowship.  They did not get taught anything for they relied on the Holy Spirit to teach them.  When someone was in need they had to figure it out.  They ate their meals by themselves and God kept bringing people to Christ to be just like them.

Of course not.  Such a story would be ludicrous and yet we have people teaching and preaching that that such a life in Christ is fine and permissible.  They believe that those who believe in Christ are part of a universal Church and do not have to be part of a local body of believers.  Such a teaching is false and has never ever been taught or even shown in scripture or even in the life of an early believer.  The Early Church held to the belief that anyone separate of the local body of believers has no part of God.

Cyprian of Carthage (240 A.D.) wrote:
   6. The spouse of Christ cannot be adulterous; she is uncorrupted and pure. She knows one home; she guards with chaste modesty the sanctity of one couch. She keeps us for God. She appoints the sons whom she has born for the kingdom. Whoever is separated from the Church and is joined to an adulteress, is separated from the promises of the Church; nor can he who forsakes the Church of Christ attain to the rewards of Christ. He is a stranger; he is profane; he is an enemy. He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother. If any one could escape who was outside the ark of Noah, then he also may escape who shall be outside of the Church. The Lord warns, saying, He who is not with me is against me, and he who gathers not with me scatters. Matthew 12:30 He who breaks the peace and the concord of Christ, does so in opposition to Christ; he who gathers elsewhere than in the Church, scatters the Church of Christ. The Lord says, I and the Father are one; John 10:30 and again it is written of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, And these three are one. 1 John 5:7 And does any one believe that this unity which thus comes from the divine strength and coheres in celestial sacraments, can be divided in the Church, and can be separated by the parting asunder of opposing wills? He who does not hold this unity does not hold God's law, does not hold the faith of the Father and the Son, does not hold life and salvation.

     These thoughts and doctrines were taught throughout the scripture.  The apostles, bishops and church fathers knew that a Christian can in no way practice the Christian Faith outside the Local body of Believers.  Lets move on to other examples.

     One important point is to note that every epistle was written to Churches and/or the affairs of the Church.  Not universal church but individual churches.  If people were not part of the local church, how would they have gotten such instruction.  How would they have heard what God wanted of them? That is why when the Apostle wrote letters he wrote them to the Church because that is where all believers were.  Those who did not belong to the Church were not considered Christians.  Let us look at how the Apostles and Bishops began their letters in the Bible:  

Romans 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Peter 5:13  The church that is at Babylon "ROME", elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.)  ROME HAD A CHURCH.

1 Corinthians 1:2  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, 

2 Corinthians 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Galatians 1:2  And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Ephesians 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

(Revelation 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;) EPHESUS HAD A CHURCH

Philippians 1:1  Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:  (bishops and deacons were the leaders)

Colossians 1:2  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (WHAT MADE THEM FAITHFUL?)

1 Thessalonians 1:1  Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:1  Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

EVEN JESUS ADDRESSES CHURCHES IN REVELATIONS BY WRITING:

Revelation 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 2:8  And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Revelation 2:12  And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Revelation 2:18  And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Revelation 3:1  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Revelation 3:7  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Revelation 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

     It is very clear that the letters written by the Apostles and Bishops were written to CHURCHES.  Instructions were given to groups of people.  These instructions were then taught to the people by Bishops, Pastors, Teachers, Deacons and such.  Instructions like, dwell in unity, love one another, provoke one another in love, encourage one another, sing with one another, pray for one another, submit to one another and many other ONE ANOTHER's.  How could this possibly happen if one is not part of a Local Body of Believers?

     The Bible also calls believers to be accountable saying things like:  Submit to those who have rule over you, to honor the elders who serve in the church, among other things.  If one does not belong to a local body, how can they be accountable?  Who do they answer to?  How are they taught?  How do they serve?  Who do they give to?  When they do good and help others the next questions I have is who are they glorifying?  Who are they truly helping?  How are they helping the work of Christ?  If I do not belong to a Church and lets say, I am a good person, believer in Christ and have a sincere love for God and I help someone.  How does my helping glorify God?  If such a person likes what I am doing and saying and then receives Christ as their Lord and savior, what are they to do now?  How am I to instruct such a person?  Do we then tell them just read the bible?  Do we tell them to just do good?  Where do they get fed, how are they taught and how do they grow without the Church?  Our work becomes VAIN and all a person has done is birthed something only to destroy it due to malnutrition.  Matthew 13 (Parable of Sower)

     I will not exhaust this any further but provide you a couple more scriptures:

         Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  (25)  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

     How can one be obedient to Hebrews 10:25 if they do not belong to a local body of believers?  Have they not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together?  Does one have communion by themselves, does one baptize themselves, does one give to themselves, does one love themselves?  A person who does not assemble under the Church can not truly follow the teachings of Christ and even fulfill what is written in Hebrews 10:25.

Again listen to what Jude writes about they who are dis joined,

Jude 1:19-20  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.  (20)  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

THE WORD SEPARATE THEMSELVES - apodiorizō - ap-od-ee-or-id'-zo means to disjoin (by a boundary, figuratively a party): - separate.

And again the apostle John writes,

1 John 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

     In Conclusion,

     Many people will argue that there are a lot of problems in the Church.  That just because a person goes to church does not mean they are saved.  While much may be true, we do not throw out the baby with the bath water.  We have problems in our schools, in our work places and in our country but it never stops people from being taught or working or even staying in this country.

     God gave us each other because He knew that it is in the Church there is safety.  In numbers we can be held accountable, love, encourage and keep each other up.  God never intended believers to be alone or not be part of a local body of believers.  

Ephesians 4:11-13  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

     God has a body.  This body is made up of many members.  These members are led by Pastors, Teachers and leaders.  These leaders bring the members in the Body into Unity.  A body that has members in unity to one another become a perfect man and receive the fullness found in Christ.  

     ANALOGY:  Christ is the TREE, The Branches on this TREE is the CHURCH.  The leaves on each branch are the MEMBERS in the CHURCH.  These separate branches are connected to the Same TREE.  A leaf by themselves can not survive and a leaf connected straight to the tree with no apparent branch is called a sucker branch.  They may take the nutrients from the Tree but truly produce or multiple no real fruit.  Such a branch is usually broken and removed from the tree so that the branches produce fruit.  

What fruit is produced from a person who does not belong to a Church?  A person who belongs to a Church can produce fruit and multiple 30, 60 and 100 fold.  

- Pastor Michael Salman

Bishop of the Alethian Christian Church     

*  P.S.  If you believe this article to be inaccurate please let me know how and what is inaccurate about it.  So that we may truly discuss any exceptions that I may have overlooked.  Going to Church does not save you, Christ does but he saved you to bring you into the Church so that you may remain saved and produce fruit and grow.  Unless you are on your death bed reading this nothing should stop you from being part of a local body of believers.  Be obedient and do the right thing.  

Spoiled Children - The growing rottenness of undisciplined Christians

     Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  In this article I would like to address the growing cancer that plagues Christendom today.  It is a cancer that is not eating us from the outside but from the inside.  It screams at us, kicks us and disrespects everything Christianity stands for.  This cancer is the undisciplined Christian.  The bible tells us,

 Hebrews 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

     We accept the fact of God's discipline in our daily life and in the life of every believer.  We know that we as believers, if we do not walk according to the word of God will be chastened by the Lord.  While this may be a fact we can not ignore that the Word of God places a responsibility on the Church and its leadership to discipline those who offend or live openly in sin.  Here are some examples:

1 Thessalonians 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

  Titus 1:10-13  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:  (11)  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.  (12)  One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.  (13)  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

2 Timothy 4:1-2  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:20  Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Matthew 18:17  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15  (14)  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  (15)  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

1 Peter 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1 Corinthians 5:1-5  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.  (2)  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.  (3)  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,  (4)  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  (5)  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 5:11-13  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  (12)  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?  (13)  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

     While it is evident that the bible clearly states that those who live unruly and without concern and respect to the Church are to be disciplined by the Church and in some cases avoided and kicked out, how often is that done in churches?  Churches are no longer acting like the Church of God but rather a social club in which all are accepted as long as they pay their membership fees or attend the occasional gatherings.  Churches are filled with people who are offensive, abusive and down right polluted with sins and the sins they have committed against others.  It is not their fault though.  Rather it is the fault of the Modern Day Church.  When an offense occurs the Church is not taking the steps to address the offense.  Offensive Christians are getting away with murder.  When a concern is placed upon a member of the Church, the Christian moves on to another Church.  Slowly bringing his offense and bad behavior to other Christians.  When something must be addressed Church leaders are deciding to remain silent rather than to speak to the person for fear of losing them.

     Church discipline is a reality and a must.  Many strong biblical teachers and pastors will agree that a Mark of A TRUE Church is discipline.  A Church that does not discipline is not a TRUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.  This is a fact folks.  The bibles says this to a Church that does not take action:  

1 Corinthians 6:4-5  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.  (5)  I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

     Churches that do not take serious the behaviors in a Church are truly not a Church.  As a Pastor it is very easy to make a Sunday gathering an outreach instead of a time in which believers gather for instruction and encouragement to service.  The behavior of those who gather, less those who visit must be taken serious, especially those who are offensive.  Christians who call themselves Christians while living a reckless life, not only blemish the Church but the name of Christ and His teaching.  Again the scriptures say this of those: 

Romans 2:24  For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

and again,

Titus 2:5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

     While Churches that do not discipline believe they are doing a service by obtaining and keeping the disobedient, they do not see the damage that is being done in the background.  They are raising spoiled children who are rotten and cause the offense of many.  We save from leaving the Church only to condemn 100 others because of their behavior.  

     How should the Church discipline?  The bible makes it very clear on how to discipline a member of the Church:

 Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

James 5:19-20  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  (20)  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Jude 1:21-23  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  (22)  And of some have compassion, making a difference:  (23)  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

1 John 5:16-17  If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.  (17)  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

Matthew 18:15-17  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  (16)  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

    In short the bible tells us to warn, to instruct, to call, to have compassion, mercy and have a truly sincere heart and desire for the sinning brother or sister to repent of their sin.  That a persons very first step is to bring the sin to the sinners attention.  NOT gossip, or point or complain and murmur but instead to privately bring it to their attention.  If there is no resolution, one must then bring another brother.  Not ignore it, or blow it off or not care anymore but the one who is offended, if no resolution has been made, MUST bring it to another brother in Christ for resolution.  If anyone ignores offenses made to them, the offender may hurt someone else who is not as strong as you or even a new believer.  If there are 2 or more people who agree that your concern is valid and they have consulted the offender with still no resolution, the issue must then be brought before the CHURCH.  When it refers to the Church it means leaders of the Church.  The Leaders of the Church in a council setting are called to sit with the offender and deal with the concern.  In the event the offender after speaking with the offended, other Christians and the Church, still refuses to repent or see their fault and does not stop or resolve the issue, the offender must then be removed from the Fellowship.  Such a person is under the judgement of God.  There are couple of occasions the Bible speaks of such people:  

1 Timothy 1:19-20  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:  (20)  Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

2 Timothy 4:14-15  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:  (15)  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

1 Corinthians 16:22  If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

(*YOU CAN NOT SAY YOU LOVE GOD AND HATE YOUR BROTHER)

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  (8)  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

1 Corinthians 5:2-5  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.  (3)  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,  (4)  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  (5)  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Matthew 18:17-18  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.  (18)  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

     The fact is no one likes to do the disciplining and no one likes to be disciplined.  The last thing any church wants have is a group of people walking around pointing fingers and excommunicating one another.  This is why certain steps are necessary to help discern and decipher from the less serious matters.  A person not saying good morning to you or not stopping by to say hello, may easily be forgiven and overlooked, especially if the person did not know they did it.  While a person who says something to you or does something to you that is obviously offensive should not be overlooked if such actions effect your relationship with them.  With that said, Christians are NOT COMMANDED to do their own disciplining but rather to love one another.  Follow the proper steps.  Christians who do the silent treatment, ignoring, partiality and such who think that such a message will teach the offender a lesson is violating the commandment of God to love one another.  The Duty of the Disciplining belongs to the Church not the individual.  We are called to love, forgive and honor the Word of God and His Church.

- Pastor Michael Salman