Why in all of scripture is there no such phrase as THE LOCAL CHURCH?
We are all of the body of Christ!!!!!!
To all you (pastors) STOP using these words its not Scriptural.
Local Church
Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by jimslade, Dec 25, 2002.
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Maybe the more appropriate term is ecclesia which is the greek translation of church, which means a religious congregation. It can also include the Saints in Heaven. You are right though. The bible does not have the modern term "local church"
In the same vein Missionary is not a term used in the bible either. The correct word is "Apostle" -
Jim,
As far as I can recall, you are correct in saying that there is no set of Greek words used of the church in the N.T. which would be directly translatable into English by the words "local church." However, I think you may be in danger of what some have referred to as a word vs.concept fallacy, i.e. of assuming that just because such specific wording is not used that the concept is not there. But this is clearly not the case. Each time Paul refers to the church in a particular locale, such as in a particular city or even a particular home, he is clearly referring to what we would call a "local" manifestation of the Body of Christ, and therefore what may accurately be spoken of by us as the "local church." This is why so many of us pastors use the term "local church," namely because it is an accurate reflection in English of a Biblical way of viewing the church, along with the equally Biblical understanding of the Church in a larger sense (which is often referred to by a term such as "universal church"). Thus, I am one pastor who will keep using the "local church" language whenever appropriate to do so.
Pastork -
Also thinking that the term "local church" could carry the idea of others located in the immedaite area. However, the recently established new Churches ,by the apostle Paul, was possibly the only one for many, many miles around, therefore, the term "Local" was understood and not necessary.
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The word for church is ecclesia and it is interpreted, a body of believers. We are all part of the body of Christ. Many pastors use the phrase Local Church so they can set themselves apart from other believers, this is wrong, we need to see ourselves the way God see us. All part of one BODY.
This does not mean we fellowship with Apostates but we should not let petty differances cause dissunity.
The main reason I see that Local Church phrase is used 'is to segregate themselves from anyone having any "small" differance than them eg: premill, postmill aumill. THIS IS VERY VERY WRONG, and against all scripture!!!
[ December 26, 2002, 11:52 PM: Message edited by: jimslade ] -
There are many terms we use today which are not in the Scripture... Trinity, Rapture, Local Church, Missionary, etc. The words themselves may not be there but the teaching is, and the terms simply describe the Biblical teaching. The word Church (ekklesia) is used over 110 times. Over 90 times it is used with out question concerning a "local" Church (referring to a body of believers meeting in a specific location) Ex. "the church of God at Corinth" etc. Only twice is it without question referring to the universal Church, and the others theologians can fight over. Don't dismiss the term to describe a Biblical teaching just because the term itself is not in the Scripture.
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When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth was the application of his teaching not applicable to the church at Ephesis? Where in all of scripture did Jesus refer to any specific body of believers?
What "LOCAL CHURCH" was Paul a member of?.
[ December 29, 2002, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: jimslade ] -
jimslade said in an earlier post:
So to all pastors who are talking about "The Trinity," shame on you :D :D
God Bless!!!
Adam -
The word "Bible" is not to be found in the Word of God, but I will neither stop bringing it to my gathering with His Body of localised believers, nor will I cease to study, reference, nor to honor this precious work.
The rock or foundation of the church is the confession (ultimately the doctrine) of the apostles, which became normative for the true church.
The word church (Greek ekklesia), means literally “ a chosen or called out assembly”. Thus the use of the word as a technical term for an assembly or group of believers in Christ was quite natural. It was not viewed as an external organization, denomination, or hierarchical system. The New Testament Church is a local autonomous congregation or an assembly which is a church in and of itself. John writes to 7 churches, in His Revelation, not to one.
May God so bless His precious children.
A servant of Christ,
Drew
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O'God, and renew a right spirit within me. -
The historical fact that letters like the Corinthian correspondance were circulated beyond the borders of their intended recipients in no way means that there was no such thing as "original reicpients". There was a local church at Corinth.
I understand the point you are trying to make viz. unity. But you are overstating your case. You are in fact making a mistake. Local churches did exist in the NT. Just look at the churches in Revelation. Each of thoese churches had specific issues being addressed. -
As a matter of scriptural fact, the local church is the only ordained assembly. The so-called universal church is a rather nebulous one..it neither ordains ministers nor calls them out. It does not teach, minister or send out others.......it will assemble one day in Glory, but not here on earth.
Cheers,
Jim -
Thanks Latreia, your the only one that understood the point I was trying to make. All of the believers on this board are part of the Body (ekklesia) church, of CHRIST.
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So to all pastors who are talking about "The Trinity," shame on you :D :D
God Bless!!!
Adam </font>[/QUOTE]That was not the point and that statement was cold blooded. I pray you do not mock the Trinity. :confused:
In Christ Angie -
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Why do WE find it easy to mock brothers in Christ publicly on this board.
I'll bet you don't treat your Local Believers like this. Then again maybe You do.
My frustration with some Pastors is that the impression they give their congregation is that the only Christians that matter are the ones attending their LOCAL CHURCH or the missionaries that they send. There is a bigger picture to be seen.
36 times in the bible the word churches is used.
If you read those verses you will get my POINT.
Love in Christ
Jim
[ December 30, 2002, 09:05 PM: Message edited by: jimslade ] -
Please tell me chocolate is in the bible! And donuts. And hymnal!
Gina