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The Importance of the Local Church

…. The Importance of the Local Church. It is seen in its work. The local Church is the center of:. Teaching God’s word 1 Timothy 3:15 Colossians 3:16 Acts 20:7 Acts 11:25-26 1 Thessalonians 1:8 2 Corinthians 11:8 Philippians 4:14-18 Acts 15:3 Acts 14:27.

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The Importance of the Local Church

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  2. The Importance of the Local Church

  3. It is seen in its work.The local Church is the center of: • Teaching God’s word • 1 Timothy 3:15 • Colossians 3:16 • Acts 20:7 • Acts 11:25-26 • 1 Thessalonians 1:8 • 2 Corinthians 11:8 • Philippians 4:14-18 • Acts 15:3 • Acts 14:27

  4. It is seen in its work.The local Church is the center of: • Edifying the saints • Ephesians 4:11-16 • 1 Thessalonians 5:11 • 1 Corinthians 14:5 • 1 Corinthians 14:12

  5. It is seen in its work.The local Church is the center of: • Benevolence to the saints • 1 Corinthians 16:1 • 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

  6. It is seen in its work.The local Church is the center of: • Worship • Teaching – Acts 20:7 • Praying – 1 Corinthians 14:15 (Chapter 14’2 context is the public assembly) • Singing – 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 • Giving of our means – 1 Corinthians 16:2 • The Lord’s Supper – 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:17-34; Acts 20:7

  7. It is seen in the letters to the New Testament Churches • Much of the New Testament consists of the letters written to local Churches • Colossians 4:16 • The letters teach us about: • The plan of salvation • Our relationship with God • How to conduct ourselves as Christians • Our relationship with others • Our relationship with the world

  8. It is seen in the letters to the New Testament Churches • The letters teach us about: • The resurrection • How to please God in our worship

  9. It is seen in Paul’s concern for the local congregations • 2 Corinthians 11:28 • It is also evident in the tone and content of Paul’s letters. Note especially the letters to the Corinthians and Galatians

  10. It is seen in the abundance of local congregations mentioned in the NT • 1 Corinthians 14:33 • 1 Corinthians 7:17, 11:16, 14:33-34, 18:18 • Multiple churches among the Gentiles – Romans 16:4

  11. It is seen in the abundance of local congregations mentioned in the NT • Churches in regions of the world are mentioned • Judea – 1 Thessalonians 2:14 • Galatia – 1 Corinthians 16:1 • Macedonia – 2 Corinthians 8:1 • Asia – 1 Corinthians 16:19; Revelation 2-3 (7 total)

  12. It is seen in the abundance of local congregations mentioned in the NT • Churches in specific cities • Jerusalem – Acts 11:22 • Antioch – Acts 13:1 • Caesarea – Acts 18:22 • Cenchrea – Romans 16:1 • Laodicea – Colossians 4:16 • Babylon – 1 Peter 5:13 • Corinth, Ephesus, Colosse, Philippi, Thessalonica

  13. It is seen in the abundance of local congregations mentioned in the NT • Why were there so many local congregations in so many different places in the 1st century? • Acts 8:1-4 • Preaching Jesus included teaching about His Kingdom the Church – Acts 8:5, 12 • The missionary journeys of Paul and other apostles and teachers resulted in the establishment of local congregations throughout the world

  14. It is seen in the care that Christ has for individual local congregations • The letters to the Seven Churches in Asia – Revelation 2-3

  15. It is seen in the desire of early Christians to be associated with a local Church • Acts 2:41-47 • Acts 9:26-27 • Acts 16:4-5 • Acts 11:25-26

  16. It is seen in the time and effort taken in describing its organization • Christ is the head and lawgiver – Ephesians 1:20-23 • Elders, deacons, and saints – Philippians 1:1 • Acts 14:23 • 1 Peter 5:1-3 • Teachers and evangelists – Ephesians 4:11-12 • The manner in which funds to operate are to be collected is specified – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

  17. It is seen in the stringent qualifications of elders and deacons • 1 Peter 5:1-3 • 1 Timothy 3:1-13 • Titus 1:6-9

  18. It is seen in effort taken to teach us how to conduct ourselves when the local congregation is assembled • 1 Timothy 3:15 • 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 • 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

  19. It is seen in fact that separation from the local congregation is considered a severe punishment • 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

  20. What does all this mean to us as Christians? • We should be awed and thankful that we can be part of something that occupies such an important place in God’s plan of salvation – Ephesians 3:10-11 • Like early Christians we should desire to be associated with a local congregation • How could anyone who understands the place of the local congregation in God’s plan NOT want to be present when the saints meet? – Hebrews 10:24-31

  21. What does all this mean to us as Christians? • For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13) • Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47-48)

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