Church Universal and Local   Matthew 16:18

This post concerns the use of the word church, in a universal and local sense.

‘Church Universal and Local’ discusses the meaning of church. Church in our Bibles comes from a Greek word meaning a called-out body of people. When the scriptures discuss all the Christians called from the world into God’s service, the word church falls into the universal sense. Jesus forecast the use of this word before there were any congregations, Matthew 16:18. “…on this rock I will build my church.”  Jesus meant that this future group of called out people, designated as a church, would include those He would save.

Then, the Apostle Paul clarified the term church, Ephesians 5:23. “…as Christ … the head of the church, his body, and …himself its Savior.”  Calling the church the body of Christ fits because as the head, He supplies salvation for it.

In addition, this universal group comprises a fellowship with Deity, 1 Corinthians 1:9. “God… faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Thus, as described in the New Testament, this group which includes all of God’s people everywhere, does not have an organization or an earthly head. Therefore, fellowship with Deity embraces the entire purpose of the universal church. Christ, as the Head and Savior, provides payment for sins.

Also, a different use of the word church embraces local congregations. The Apostle John wrote to seven local churches in Asia, Revelation 1:4-5, 11. “… Grace to you and peace … and from the seven spirits… before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness…. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood…

…Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Local churches make up the only earthly organization of Christians in a particular place with elders and deacons as leaders. Its fellowship embraces Deity and the local membership.

So, what did we learn?

1.The church in the universal sense includes all the saved.

2.In the local sense, the church consists of local Christians.

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