[358 words]
As I study about the church in the pages of the New Testament, three important concepts concerning the local congregation keep coming to mind. It is very obvious that each congregation, as God desires it, must be…
Scriptural. The church was founded by the Lord Himself (Matt. 16:18), and it is His desire that each congregation of it work and worship according to His word. The church is designed to be the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim. 3:15), thus we must use the truth of God’s word to find authorization for everything we do as a congregation. The Scriptures must be the foundation of all church instruction. Any religious body operating outside of the bounds of Scripture may be called a church by man, but it is not the Lord’s.
Familial. The church is described as the family of God (Eph. 3:15). In another place, it is called the household of God (Eph. 2:19). As a family, as brothers and sisters in Christ, God desires us to show sincere and fervent love for one another (1 Pet. 1:22). The local church should be a place of great edification and encouragement. The closeness and special fellowship the members of the local Lord’s body enjoy should be evident to all (John 13:15).
Beneficial. It is God’s desire that the church be about doing good—to those inside and outside (2 Cor. 9:13). There ought to be great spiritual benefit for all the members of each congregation. Also, the community in general should benefit from the local church existing in it because of the help and hope it gives. Like the church when first formed, we should have “favor with all the people” (cf. Acts 2:47). And, of course, the church should benefit the world by presenting the truth about the gospel and how it saves.
Read Revelation chapters 2 and 3 again sometime and note how the local congregations that did not possess all three were in danger of soon being removed from God’s grace. Let’s each do our part to make sure we always have all three in abundance.
Edd Sterchi
Broadway church of Christ
Campbellsville, KY