I. INTRODUCTION: After you have been baptized into Christ, you
need to learn about establishing fellowship in a local congregation of Christians.
A. God Desires Such: existence of local churches in the Bible can be seen
by the epistles addressed to them by the NT writers. Man was created by
God in such a way as to need provocation by his fellow man, unto love and
good works, Heb. 10:24,25. Even during times of persecutions (such as the
context of the Hebrew letter), God views the assemblies of Christians as
important.
B. Even Apostle Paul needed the mutual consideration and provocation unto
love and good works provided by a local congregation of Christians:
1. Paul's association with local churches, Acts 9:26, 13:1,
2. Paul encouraged by the church at Rome, Acts 28:15,
3. Paul encourages and emboldens the church at Philippi to teach others,Phil.
1:14.
4. If it works for the Apostle Paul, its works for us!
C. Word of Caution:
1. When associating with a group of Christians we must exercise caution,
to avoid getting involved in the sins of others, 1 Tim. 5:22.
2. We are not to fellowship with those practicing unfruitful works of darkness,
Eph. 5:11.
D. Must Avoid Financially Supporting Error:
1. We can see from Paul's writings that scriptural collective action makes
us partners in that good work,Phil. 4:15-17, 1:5-7.
2. Collectively, it is possible to do more than what we might accomplish
individually, 3 Jn. 5-8.
3. But if we support unscriptural collective action, we become fellow-workers
in that error, 2 Jn. 9-11. This does not mean we cannot study with someone
with whom we have doctrinal differences, but it does mean we should not
support them in their effort.
II. DISCUSSION: WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A LOCAL CHURCH
NOT: Entertainment, mere convenience, large crowds, certain ages
BUT: Scriptural collective action
A. Name: "Christian":
1. Local churches in the NT were called "churches of Christ" (
Rom. 16:16), a "church of God" (1 Cor. 1:2), or simply the "church."
2. Individually, disciples were called, "Christians," Acts 11:26.
B. Organization: The contrast between the complex denominational organizations
of today and the simple organization of the NT church is overwhelming.
1. Elders:
a. A plurality (more than one) in each congregation, Acts 14:23.
b. Their authority limited to the local church, Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-3
Point: Any collective action larger than the local church is denominational
action.
c. The terms elders, bishops (overseers), and shepherds (pastors) are used
interchangeably by Paul and Peter.
d. Qualifications: 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-11 indicate that the elders are
a highly qualified group of older men who are mature Christians, married,
teachers, parents who rule their families well, and have unimpeachable character.
2. Deacons: Phil. 1:1, The NT provides for another group of highly qualified
men to serve under the eldership as specially designated servants(for qualifications
see, 1 Tim. 3:8ff)
3. Saints: Phil. 1:1, All Christians are saints, because they are "sanctified"
by God for His service.
4. The autonomy or independence of each local church keeps it safe from
any corruption in a "sister" church. The denominational organizational
plan causes all congregations to stand or fall together.
5. Any change that man might want to make in God's organizational plan for
the church reflects directly on God's wisdom.
C. Worship:
1. Prayer: 1 Tim. 2:8, Would anyone object to prayer as a necessary part
of worship?
2. Lord's Supper: Acts 20:7
a. The NT church partook of the Lord's Supper, weekly on the first day of
the week, the context of the passage indicates that this was not a common
meal, but the communion service.
b. Just as the Jews understood that "remembering the sabbath",
meant every week, we as Christians are under that same obligation, (Mt.
28:1; Lk. 23:56-24:1)
3. Singing:Eph. 5:19, is commanded, but instruments of music are not mentioned
as part of the worship service.
a. OT worship required musical instruments, (2 Chron. 29:25), where is the
similar NT passage?
b. Just because playing an instrument is a God-given talent, that does not
authorize its use as part of the worship service.
c. If instruments of music were available (and they were), why is there
no evidence of their use in the Christian Church (Roman Catholic) until
about 650 A.D. and then under protest (Schaff, History of the Christian
Church , vol. IV, p. 439). The Baptists did not begin using the organ
in this country until 1840.
d. As few as 150 years ago, this discussion of instrumental music would
not have been needed, because only the Catholics were using it in their
services.
4. Preaching: Acts 20:7, that is giving a reasoned discourse from the teaching
of Christ (according to the context).
5. Contributing: 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6,7, these passages teach that Christians
are to give bountifully, purposefully, and cheerfully into the treasury
of the local congregation on the first day of the week, such as they have
been prospered. Nowhere in the NT is tithing mentioned or commanded. A Christian
is not told to give 10 percent of his capital gains. If he did he would
still not be tithing as explained in the OT (Mal. 3:10).
D. Submit in Matters of Opinion: How do Christians Work Together? By agreeing
on what we do collectively, we can be in fellowship with one another. In
matters of opinion and expediency we must submit to one another according
to God's ordained will. Those things on which we do not agree must be studied
carefully and prayerfully until their resolution.
1. All Submit to Elders: Heb. 13:17
2. Younger to Older: 1 Pet. 5:5; Heb. 5:13,14
3. All to Laborers: 1 Cor. 16:15,16
4. Women to leading Men: 1 Tim. 2:11,12
5. All to One Another: Eph. 5:21; 1 Pet. 5:5
E. Concern for Each Other: Rom. 12:5-8
F. Teaches Christians: Acts 2:42
III. CONCLUSION: SUCH A CHURCH SHOULD BE "JOINED"
A. Acts 9:26, Upon entering the universal church by baptism for the remission
of your sins, it is then time to "join" yourself to a local church
as Paul attempted to do in this passage. Paul was looking to establish a
mutually beneficial working relationship with a local group of Christians,
and so should we.
B. Have you found a group of Christians without denominational allegiance?
Can you conscientiously participate in their collective worship and work?
We invite you to investigate us.