The Assembly of the Saints Lesson 2 – What is a Local church?

The Assembly of the The Assembly of the SaintsSaints

Lesson 2 – What is a Lesson 2 – What is a Local church?Local church?

God has made us with social needs.God has made us with social needs.

• The foundation of the home is found in the The foundation of the home is found in the truth: “It is not good that man should be truth: “It is not good that man should be alone.” alone.” (Gen 2:18)(Gen 2:18)


• Genesis 2:18Genesis 2:18 - And the LORD God said, - And the LORD God said, ""It is It is not good that man should be alonenot good that man should be alone; I ; I will make him a helper comparable to will make him a helper comparable to him."him."


• Even outside the home we need the Even outside the home we need the companionship and help of others.companionship and help of others.

• God has always sought to teach His God has always sought to teach His people wisdom in choosing their people wisdom in choosing their companions. companions. (Prov 13:19-20)(Prov 13:19-20)


• Proverbs 13:19-20Proverbs 13:19-20 - A desire - A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But accomplished is sweet to the soul, But it is it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. an abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20 He 20 He who walks with wise who walks with wise men men will be will be wisewise, But , But the companion of fools will be the companion of fools will be destroyeddestroyed. .


• God has always provided times of God has always provided times of assembly and collective assemblies for assembly and collective assemblies for His people.His people.

• Under the Old Covenant there was an Under the Old Covenant there was an exclusive nation (Israel in contrast with exclusive nation (Israel in contrast with the Gentiles or nations), a common place the Gentiles or nations), a common place of worship (the temple), and various of worship (the temple), and various collective events (feast days and called collective events (feast days and called assemblies).assemblies).


• There were priests and elders who were to There were priests and elders who were to instruct the people. Staying true to the instruct the people. Staying true to the covenant was imperative. covenant was imperative. (Deut 27:9-10)(Deut 27:9-10)


• Deuteronomy 27:9-10Deuteronomy 27:9-10 - Then - Then Moses and Moses and the priests, the Levitesthe priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel, , spoke to all Israel, saying, "Take heed and listen, O Israel: saying, "Take heed and listen, O Israel: This day you have become the people of This day you have become the people of the LORD your God. 10 "Therefore you the LORD your God. 10 "Therefore you shall obey the voice of the LORD your shall obey the voice of the LORD your God, and God, and observe His commandments observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you and His statutes which I command you todaytoday."."


• These provisions provided needed These provisions provided needed teaching and association for God’s people. teaching and association for God’s people.

• What provisions does God give His people What provisions does God give His people in the new covenant?in the new covenant?

God makes provisions for His people, the God makes provisions for His people, the churchchurch

• The people of God are called the body of The people of God are called the body of Christ which is also called the church. Christ which is also called the church. (Eph 1:22-23)(Eph 1:22-23)


• Ephesians 1:22-23Ephesians 1:22-23 - And He put all - And He put all things things under His feet, and under His feet, and gave Him gave Him to be to be headhead over all over all things things to the churchto the church, 23 , 23 which is His bodywhich is His body, the fullness of Him who , the fullness of Him who fills all in all.fills all in all.


• The submission to the direction (authority) The submission to the direction (authority) of the Lord is so complete that the of the Lord is so complete that the relationship is likened to the head of a relationship is likened to the head of a man that controls every part.man that controls every part.

• What is the meaning of the word “church” What is the meaning of the word “church” in the New Testament?in the New Testament?


• Church - Church - (1) in a general sense, as a (1) in a general sense, as a gathering of citizens gathering of citizens assembly, meeting assembly, meeting (AC 19.32); ….(3) as the assembled (AC 19.32); ….(3) as the assembled Christian community Christian community church, congregation, church, congregation, meeting meeting (RO 16.5); (4) as the totality of (RO 16.5); (4) as the totality of Christians living in one place Christians living in one place church church (AC (AC 8.1); (5) as the universal body of believers 8.1); (5) as the universal body of believers church church (EP 1.22)(EP 1.22)


• It is important to let the context of a It is important to let the context of a passage determine the meaning of the passage determine the meaning of the word in that passage! When you hear the word in that passage! When you hear the word “church” you should think of people. word “church” you should think of people. It can mean a gathering of unbelievers! It can mean a gathering of unbelievers! (Acts 19:32)(Acts 19:32)


• Acts 19:32Acts 19:32 - Some therefore cried one - Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for thing and some another, for the assemblythe assembly was confused, and most of them did not was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.know why they had come together.


• There are three primary meanings of There are three primary meanings of “church” when speaking of God’s people.“church” when speaking of God’s people.

• The relationship of every Christian to the The relationship of every Christian to the Lord. Lord. (Mt 16:18; Eph 4:4)(Mt 16:18; Eph 4:4)


• Matthew 16:18Matthew 16:18 - "And I also say to you - "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock that you are Peter, and on this rock I will I will build My churchbuild My church, and the gates of Hades , and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.shall not prevail against it.


• Ephesians 4:4Ephesians 4:4 - - There is There is one bodyone body and and one Spirit, just as you were called in one one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;hope of your calling;


• Christians in a specific location that are Christians in a specific location that are described as an identifiable flock under described as an identifiable flock under identifiable shepherds. We commonly call identifiable shepherds. We commonly call this a “local church.” this a “local church.” (1 Pt 5:1-3; Phil 1:1; Acts 14:23)(1 Pt 5:1-3; Phil 1:1; Acts 14:23)


• 1 Peter 5:1-31 Peter 5:1-3 - The - The elderselders who are among who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among Shepherd the flock of God which is among youyou, serving as overseers, not by compulsion , serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those over those entrusted to youentrusted to you, but being examples to the , but being examples to the flock;flock;


• Philippians 1:1Philippians 1:1 - - Paul and Timothy, Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishopswith the bishops and deacons: and deacons:


• Acts 14:23Acts 14:23 - So when - So when they had appointed they had appointed elderselders in every church in every church, and prayed with , and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.in whom they had believed.


• It can men an assembly of the local It can men an assembly of the local church. church. (1 Cor 14:23, 34-35)(1 Cor 14:23, 34-35)


• 1 Corinthians 14:231 Corinthians 14:23 - Therefore if - Therefore if the the whole church comes together in one whole church comes together in one placeplace, and all speak with tongues, and , and all speak with tongues, and there come in there come in those who are those who are uninformed uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?are out of your mind?


• 1 Corinthians 14:33-351 Corinthians 14:33-35 - For God is not - For God is not the the author author of confusion but of peace, as in all the of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Let your women churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silent in the churcheskeep silent in the churches, for they are not , for they are not permitted to speak; but permitted to speak; but they are they are to be to be submissive, as the law also says. submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church


• QuestionsQuestions• 1. Why do we need to have relationships 1. Why do we need to have relationships

with other Christians?with other Christians?• 2. What is the root meaning of the word 2. What is the root meaning of the word

“church”?“church”?• 3. Should local churches exist? Prove it 3. Should local churches exist? Prove it

from scripture.from scripture.• 4. What are the three primary meanings of 4. What are the three primary meanings of

the word “church” in the N.T.?the word “church” in the N.T.?


• 5. May a Christian chose not to be a part 5. May a Christian chose not to be a part of a local church and still please God? of a local church and still please God? Explain your answer!Explain your answer!

What does a local church do?What does a local church do?

• What did God provide for the 1st What did God provide for the 1st Christians in Jerusalem? Christians in Jerusalem? (Acts 2:42)(Acts 2:42)


• Acts 2:42Acts 2:42 - And they continued steadfastly - And they continued steadfastly in the in the apostles' doctrineapostles' doctrine and and fellowshipfellowship, in , in the breaking of breadthe breaking of bread, and , and in prayersin prayers..


• From the very beginning God had a plan From the very beginning God had a plan to build His people up.to build His people up.

• The zeal and faith of men converted to the The zeal and faith of men converted to the Lord made it natural that they seek one Lord made it natural that they seek one another’s company in their everyday lives. another’s company in their everyday lives. (Acts 2:44-47)(Acts 2:44-47)


• Acts 2:44-47Acts 2:44-47 - Now - Now all who believed were all who believed were togethertogether, and had all things in common, 45 , and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the with one accord in the templetemple, and , and breaking bread from house to breaking bread from house to househouse, they , they ate their foodate their food with gladness and with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.the church daily those who were being saved.


• There is a collective work and There is a collective work and responsibility in a local church and an responsibility in a local church and an individual responsibility. individual responsibility. (1 Tim 5:16)(1 Tim 5:16)


• 1 Timothy 5:161 Timothy 5:16 - If any believing man or - If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, woman has widows, let them relieve them, and and do not let the church be burdeneddo not let the church be burdened, , that it may relieve those who are really that it may relieve those who are really widows. widows.


• What instructions did God give the elders What instructions did God give the elders of local churches? of local churches? (Acts 20:28-32)(Acts 20:28-32)


• Acts 20:28-32Acts 20:28-32 - " - "Therefore takeTherefore take heed to heed to yourselves and yourselves and to all the flockto all the flock, among , among which the Holy Spirit has made you which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, overseers, to shepherd the church of Godto shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "For I know this, that after my departure 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. not sparing the flock.


• 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 "the disciples after themselves. 31 "Therefore Therefore watchwatch, and remember that for three years I , and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 32 "So now, brethren, with tears. 32 "So now, brethren, I commend I commend you to God and to the word of His graceyou to God and to the word of His grace, , which is able to build you up and give you an which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are inheritance among all those who are sanctified.sanctified.


• The elders were to be careful to feed the The elders were to be careful to feed the flock the pure word of God.flock the pure word of God.

• They were also to “watch” for dangers that They were also to “watch” for dangers that would come!would come!

• Elders were to ultimately submit to the Elders were to ultimately submit to the Chief Shepherd. They were to do this Chief Shepherd. They were to do this through teaching the apostles doctrine! through teaching the apostles doctrine!

(1 Cor 14:37; 11:2; Jn 16:13)(1 Cor 14:37; 11:2; Jn 16:13)


• 1 Corinthians 14:371 Corinthians 14:37 - If anyone thinks - If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that acknowledge that the things which I write the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lordto you are the commandments of the Lord..


• The elders taught the members in various The elders taught the members in various ways.ways.

• The elders did call some together to give The elders did call some together to give instruction. instruction. (Acts 21:18-19)(Acts 21:18-19)


• Acts 21:18-19Acts 21:18-19 - On the following - On the following day day Paul Paul went in with us to James, and all the went in with us to James, and all the elderselders were present were present. 19 When he had . 19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.through his ministry.


• The general instruction to teach could The general instruction to teach could include various arrangements such as include various arrangements such as Bible classes. Bible classes.

• There was a required assembly where the There was a required assembly where the whole church was to assemble. whole church was to assemble. (1 Cor 11:17-18, 33; 14:23; 16:1-2)(1 Cor 11:17-18, 33; 14:23; 16:1-2)


• 1 Corinthians 11:17-181 Corinthians 11:17-18 - Now in giving - Now in giving these instructions I do not praise these instructions I do not praise you, you, since you come togethersince you come together not for the better not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a churchyou come together as a church, I hear that , I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.I believe it.


• 1 Corinthians 11:331 Corinthians 11:33 - Therefore, my - Therefore, my brethren, brethren, when you come togetherwhen you come together to eat, to eat, wait for one another.wait for one another.


• 1 Corinthians 14:231 Corinthians 14:23 - Therefore if - Therefore if the the whole church comes together in one whole church comes together in one placeplace, and all speak with tongues, and , and all speak with tongues, and there come in there come in those who are those who are uninformed uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?are out of your mind?


• 1 Corinthians 16:1-21 Corinthians 16:1-2 - - Now concerning Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 you must do also: 2 On the first On the first day day of the of the weekweek let each one of you lay something let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, aside, storing up as he may prosper, that that there be no collections when I comethere be no collections when I come..


• QuestionsQuestions

• 1. What did the Apostles instill in every 1. What did the Apostles instill in every Christian after their baptism in Acts 2:42? Christian after their baptism in Acts 2:42? What do each of these things mean? What do each of these things mean?


• Acts 2:42Acts 2:42 - And they continued - And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.prayers.


• 2. What things did the Lord command that 2. What things did the Lord command that require the participation of other Christians?require the participation of other Christians?

• 3. Is the work of the Lord exclusively 3. Is the work of the Lord exclusively accomplished through the collective actions accomplished through the collective actions of Christians? What responsibilities does a of Christians? What responsibilities does a Christian have that a local church does not?Christian have that a local church does not?

• 4. What is the primary function of a local 4. What is the primary function of a local church? How do we know this?church? How do we know this?


• 5. How is a local church to carry out the 5. How is a local church to carry out the work of building up its members? What work of building up its members? What things fall under general authority things fall under general authority (expediency) and what things are (expediency) and what things are specified?specified?

• 6. May a church arrange Bible classes for 6. May a church arrange Bible classes for its members in addition to the single its members in addition to the single assembly of the whole church?assembly of the whole church?

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The Assembly of the Saints Lesson 2 – What is a Local church?

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