Lesson 1:The church universal and localChurch universal:Made up of all saved peopleGeneral relationshipNo organizationIndependent functionNo collective oversightChurch local:Made up of people in a local area who agree to work and worship under a common oversightSpecial relationshipCollective functionA joined fellowshipAn overseen fellowshipOnly authorized structureThe churchFor a correct conception of a local church, two things are necessary:Recognition of Bible authorityRespect for Bible authorityReligious institutions of men are founded upon the Bible plus human creeds.Bible + Baptist manual will make a Baptist every time.Bible + Methodist Discipline will make a Methodist every time.Bible + Pope will make a Catholic every time.Bible only will make a Christian every time.Therefore, a church of the Lord is founded upon the Bible, which states:There is one body – Ephesians 4:4Only one body – I Corinthians 12:27The body is the church – Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18Therefore, there is but one church that exists with the approval of God. This one church is the saved relationship or saved people.God has willed that His people who live in a locality agree to worship and work together in spiritual matters, under a common oversight, and pool their resources to finance the work He has assigned to be done under that common oversight. This is the local church.Each local church is to teach and practice the same things – Galatians 1:2-9Each local church is independent – Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2-3New Testament church – it’s creed (source of authority):We must of necessity put aside all creeds that have begun since the days of the apostles.Nicene Creed (325 A.D.) – over 200 years too lateApostles’ Creed (500 A.D.) – over 400 years too late
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