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The Church, Universal or Local?

The Church, Universal or Local?. What’s the difference?. This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. (Acts 7:38 ESV) Nation of Israel

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The Church, Universal or Local?

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  1. The Church, Universal or Local? What’s the difference?

  2. This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. (Acts 7:38 ESV) • Nation of Israel • A group, congregation

  3. Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. (Acts 19:32 ESV) For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” (Acts 19:40 ESV) • Confused, shouting, gathering • Riot, illegal

  4. But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. (Acts 19:39 ESV) • A legal gathering

  5. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. (Romans 16:16 ESV) • Local groups or assemblies And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 ESV) A worldwide, universal congregation or group

  6. Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:1-2 ESV) • A local assembly, congregation in Corinth

  7. Conclusion? • Ekklesia is a called out, separate group • Represents the word church in both it’s universal sense and local sense WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM?

  8. LOCAL UNIVERSAL So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41 ESV) And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. (Acts 9:26-28 ESV)

  9. LOCAL UNIVERSAL No organization Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: (Philippians 1:1 ESV) Organized

  10. LOCAL UNIVERSAL But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 ESV) Universal church has a purpose And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. (2 Corinthians 8:10-11 ESV) Local church plans

  11. LOCAL UNIVERSAL Matthew 13:24-30 Universal church disciplined by the Lord But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:11-13 ESV) Local church disciplines itself

  12. LOCAL UNIVERSAL Universal church has no works, deeds, acts Revelation 2:5- I know your works Revelation 2:19- I know your works Revelation 3:1- I know your works Revelation 3:8- I know your works Revelation 3:15- I know your works Local church has works

  13. Local ekklesia is where the action is • Joins • Organized • Plans • Disciplines • Works LOCAL VERSUS UNIVERSAL “CHURCH” • Added by the Lord • No organization • Purpose, but no plans • Disciplined at the end • No commanded works

  14. What is the conclusion? • Christians band together in local areas to take responsibility for … • Organizing • Growing • Equipping • Worship • Giving The local ekklesia only works with the hands of individuals

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