The Church: Universal & Local (I)
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Outline:
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. Series of lessons to determine distinctions made in scripture between universal & local church
1. Many problems of division exist from failure to apply these distinctions.
2. Also to examine difference between local church and the individual Christian, also source of division.
II. WHAT IS A "CHURCH"?
A. Definition: Greek - "ekklesia"; "a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly" (Thayer, p. 195).
1. Etymology: "ek" = out, "kaleo" = to call.
B. Old testament usage (Septuagint):
1. Israel at Mt. Sinai (Deut.9:10)
2. Those forbidden/admitted (Deut.23:1-3, 8)
3. When they were numbered (Judges 21:8-9)
C. New testament general usage:
1. Informal gathering (Acts 19:32, 41)
2. Formal gathering (Acts 19:39)
3. Stephen referring to Israel (Acts 7:38)
D. New testament usage of church as God's people (1 Cor.1:2; Rev.2 & 3; Eph.1:22-23; Acts 20:28; Rom.16:16)
E. "Church" is a collective noun. (i.e.: Covey, herd, flock, chain, troop, team, league, etc.)
1. Note distinction of singular, plural & collective nouns.
2. Church always refers to an "assembly of people." Insert this with no change in meaning in any of the texts mentioned above. Insert name of an institution or place/location and note change in meaning.
3. Church is non-descriptive.
a. Context must define what the church was: Israelites, silversmiths, Christians, etc.; and what the mission was: numbering, stoning, debating, worshipping, etc.
4. The "church" of Christ has other collective nouns that are descriptive:
a. "Body" shows function: unity in movement by many members (1 Cor.12:12-14,27; Eph.1:22-23)
b. "House" shows relationship: family (1 Tim.3:15; Gal.3:26-27)
c. "Kingdom" shows government: dictatorial (Matt.28:18; Col.1:13; 1 Tim.6:15)
F. The "church" of Christ is used in two senses:
1. Universal church:
a. Jesus to build (Matt.16:18)
b. Jesus head of it (Eph.1:22-23)
c. "Universal gathering" (Gk.: "paneguris"): assembly of an entire people (Heb.12:22-24) - never literal upon the earth.
2. Local church:
a. At Corinth (1 Cor.1:2)
b. At Thessalonica (1 Thess.1:1)
c. Seven cities of Asia (Rev.2 & 3); et al
III. CONCLUSION:
A. We have seen "church" is "an assembly of people".
1. To know who the people are and for what purpose they are assembled one must know the context.
a. These distinctions must be defined.
2. Referring to the church of Christ it has universal and local references.
a. The Bible makes distinctions between these two in many ways. This is next Sunday AM topic.