Do We Need the Local Church?
November 16th, 2006
(By John MacArthur)
The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the importance of local assemblies. In fact, it was the pattern of Paul’s ministry to establish local congregations in the cities where he preached the gospel. Hebrews 10:24-25 commands every believer to be a part of such a local body and reveals why this is necessary.
“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
It is only in the local body to which one is committed that there can be the level of intimacy that is required for carefully stimulating fellow-believers “to love and good deeds.” And it is only in this setting that we can encourage one another.
The New Testament also teaches that every believer is to be under the protection and nurture of the leadership of the local church. These godly men can shepherd the believer by encouraging, admonishing, and teaching. Hebrews 13:7 and 17 help us to understand that God has graciously granted accountability to us through godly leadership.
Furthermore, when Paul gave Timothy special instructions about the public meetings, he said “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13). Part of the emphasis in public worship includes these three things: hearing the Word, being called to obedience and action through exhortation, and teaching. It is only in the context of the local assembly that these things can most effectively take place.
Acts 2:42 shows us what the early church did when they met together: “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” They learned God’s Word and the implications of it in their lives; they joined to carry out acts of love and service to one another; they commemorated the Lord’s death and resurrection through the breaking of bread; and they prayed. Of course, we can do these things individually, but God has called us into His body-the church is the local representation of that worldwide-body-and we should gladly minister and be ministered to among God’s people.
Active local church membership is imperative to living a life without compromise. It is only through the ministry of the local church that a believer can receive the kind of teaching, accountability, and encouragement that is necessary for him to stand firm in his convictions. God has ordained that the church provide the kind of environment where an uncompromising life can thrive.
This article goes right along with what you’re saying. http://reformedwomen.blogspot.com/2006/11/why-go-to-church-commanded-or-optional.html#comments
Not only for all the reason that were mentioned but how is one to have elders and deacons if there is not a local church? These parts of Scripture would be completely unnecessary and therefore NOT inspired. What about the call to exhort and to admonish and to carry one another’s burdens? How better can this be done than with the local church that gathers together for worship? We can see this even in the corporate world, it just works better if you have a group of individuals that gather together daily at an office with the same goals in mind instead of them scattered all over the place trying it alone. If we throw out the local church we need to also throw out discipline in Matthew 18 and also ask John what he meant when he says in 1 John 2 that since they went out from us they were really never one of us. I understand this is a salvific passage but the intent seems as though there was a gathering of individuals for the sole purpose of worship of Christ.
Sadly, for too many believers with chronic illness or injuries(and often moms or dads with children), they find that the local Church doesn’t need or want them in their inability to no longer “be” AND “do, do, do”. Being “dumped” eventually unfolds with many folks in that they are being taught to not need or want the local Church(at least not those heaping more discouragement on their plate). Those folks end up meeting with believers online and surprisingly even grow tremendously “in the valley experiences” by God’s grace(dare the question be posed…as a result of and because of experiences locally?).
Many families are dismayed with all the age-segregated program structure of some local fellowships that wasn’t the norm not that long ago, too. Shouldn’t Sunday be more encouraging to the believers that really do seek to have Godly homes and families that study/worship/fellowship together during the week AND Sunday rather than it coming across as THE place to charge the battery?
It is an awesome time for Christ to work in hearts, isn’t it?
“Not only for all the reason that were mentioned but how is one to have elders and deacons if there is not a local church?”
~That’s an excellent point that I hadn’t considered in all the discussions I’ve heard about the house church.
Now, I wonder just how big they really were.
Did they meet as many homes with Elders and Deacons over a group of them, or did each home church have enough participants to have Elders and Deacons?
I agree with the importance of participation in a local church. I would submit that it’s also important for the local church to be under some authority for the good of the local leadership and members. Independent local churches seem at high risk for poor/incorrect doctrine and highly visible charismatic leaders to fall into sin bringing about great discredit to Christ. I would think it incumbent upon local independent church leadership to place themselves in some type of role where they are accountable to spiritually mature men. Kind of like being in a demnomination!
Unfortunately denominations can go just as astray as a local church. We only have to look as far as the Amercian Episcopalians and the PCUSA.
The desciption of the local chuch sounds like a perfect place for believers. The reality is that most are like a smelly pasture with mostly tare, and a little wheat, broken down fences, tons of entertaiment, and activities to be busy, the “in people” always in the lime light, shepards away at conferences, or at outside speaking engagement,roaming wolves, youth leading idol worshipers, a place mostly devoid of the power of the Holy Spirit.
I no longer go to church. I cannot sit under what is being taugt as the apostasy that has to come just before the rapture is in the church. I study on line and have learned more and have been blessed and am bringing the children up in the L-rd and did take them out of the public schools and G-d gave me the responsiblity to bring them up in His Word. I cannot sit under the teaching of scripture that is contrary to His Word.They have another gospel, another J’shua (Jesus) and creed. The world is in the church. Most of the churches have signed up under the Catholic Umbrella, the old crusaders in the tolerance gospel that I will NEVER be a part of. The L-rd said, they hated me and they will hate you, but the mega churches are so loved. I read in the Catholic information, that the god of the catholic church is the same as the muslims..Our President calls allah the same G-d. be any religion as we all have our own way to heaven. NOT SO, as Jesus is the ONLY way the truth and the live..I am not a citizen of this world, nor is my G-d’s Kingdom of this world..Apostasy is world wide, as they can be anything, just add Jesus. It is sad as I see the world more lost than ever and the long standing preachers have fallen from truth..We need to pray and be watchmen on the wall as they have been taught if we try to tell them truth, we are the dividers..I am grieved for lost ones….
kim, there are still Bible-based churches that preach the truth. you may have to work a little to find one, but it will be a great blessing when you do.
Kim,
Don’t fall into the trap that “no one has the truth.” There are many poor churches and there are good ones. A true believer doesn’t have the option of not attending corporate worship (i.e. church) as it is a command of the Lord (see Hebrews 10:24-25). Since we know God is all knowing, the inspired Scriptures would not have a command that was impossible to honor. Church attendance is an act of obedience. Keep looking for a good church and you will find one.
Keith
Kim.
I can’t echo the thoughts of those before me more. Don’t give up on the local church. I agree with all your thoughts on the President, the mega church and so on, but don’t give up on the local church. You might have to drive a bit to find one, but don’t give up. Where do you live? I live in Seattle so if you want to talk about finding a church, it is very difficult up here. I have been blessed with a great local church and know that God will do the same for you. God never intended His people to be lonesome sheep but a flock. May God bless you with a body of believers.
a good resource is the following…
http://www.biblebb.com/churches.htm
Kim, i know how you feel. i to are going thru the same thing. but i still beleive that God will lead me to a
bible based church. dont give up. may God bless you.
Kim, remember our precious Lord did not leave you to go it alone, He sent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is indeed our Comforter, guide, teacher and enabler.
The Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of God’s word if you obediently yield to His ministry to you. The Holy Spirit desires to always glorify the Father and the Son and to help us to know and do the will of God daily for the glory of God.
I try to always remind myself of the great privilege I have as a Christian.
Everyday by the grace of God I have the potential to glorify God on this earth and be a blessing to others.
I also rejoice in the fact that God has provided the local church (Christ’s body) as the primary place through which I exercise my spiritual gifts glorifying God, blessing others and I am incredibly blessed.
Of course I am blessed that I might be a blessing to others inside and outside the body of Christ.
Remember, God is your Father, the Lord Jesus is all your life, and the Holy Spirit is all your power and the saints your eternal family.
When you cannot trace His hand, you can always trust His heart. God bless you, Bill