In Acts 2, we find that people who obey the Gospel are added to the Lord’s church (verse 47). No human being, council of men, or congregation determines who is added to this church, but our all-knowing Lord reads the hearts and actions of all and adds those who meet His requirements to His church.
Many responsibilities of members of the Lord’s church are individual in nature, but there are certain responsibilities that can only be met by being a part of a local group of saints. We therefore must join ourselves to a local church, as Paul did (Acts 9:26; 11:26).
There are over a dozen local churches identified by name in the New Testament. The church at Antioch (Acts 13:1), church at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2), and church at Thessalonica (1 Thess. 1:1) are examples. These churches were made up of Christians living in a particular area who had been added by God to His universal church.
Regardless of size, race, or culture, local churches in the New Testament had a pattern to follow. In 1 Corinthians 4:17, Paul used the phrase “as I teach everywhere in every church.” In 1 Corinthians 7:17, he said “so ordain I in all the churches.” In 1 Corinthians 16:1, he said regarding the collection for the saints, “as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.”
The commandments the Holy Spirit gave to one church were the same commandments He gave to all churches. All local churches established in the first century (like those today) were (and are) bound by the Law of Christ.
The Law of Christ has been fully recorded in written form, and is accessed today through the New Testament. Through His Word, God gives us the pattern He expects churches to follow.
Mankind often looks to his own path over God’s path in matters pertaining to the local church. Man may make the local church out to be something carnal that functions like a business merely trying to “attract numbers” and “grow capital,” but this is not the New Testament truth of the local church’s purpose.
Local churches following the New Testament pattern are simply Christians in a local area who exist to bring glory to God and help each other, and others, to be saved. They do this by being organized, working, and worshipping in the way God authorizes.
May we each ensure we are a part of a local church that abides in Christ’s law, and strive to follow the pattern God has given us.
– Michael Hickox