A Biblical Understanding

God has established three major institutions on this earth: the family, the civil government, and the local church. It is the local church which has been commissioned by God to carry out His purposes in reaching the lost and perfecting the saved. Therefore, God’s plan for a Christian will always be fulfilled best when connected with the local church.

I. Understanding the biblical definition of the local church

A. It is NOT a building. Acts 14:27

• We worship God in spirit and in truth. John 4:24
• Our bodies are the temple of God. I Corinthians 6:19

B. It is NOT a denominational group or congregation.

C. A local church is a body of men and women who have been saved and called by God to serve in a specific area. The church is the body of Christ – the saved multitudes from every nation.

• Writing to saved people, Paul stated clearly in I Corinthians 12:27, “. . . ye are the body of Christ.”
• Paul compares the church body to the human body in I Corinthians 12:14-27.
  • Each member has a different function – verses 14-20
  • No one member can function alone – verse 21
  • Each member’s contribution is important – verses 22-24
  • A properly functioning body operates as a single unit – verses 25-27

II. Understand the biblical function of the local church

A.  According to Acts 2:41-47, the first local church in the Bible was organized for the following purposes:

• Teaching the Word of God – verse 42
• Fellowship with other believers – verse 422
• Prayer – verse 42
• Observance of the two ordinances of the church: baptism – verse 41, and the Lord’s supper – verse 42
• Testifying to God’s grace and power – verse 43
• Mutual assistance and ministry – verses 44-45
• Reaching out into the community – verses 46-47
• Glorifying and praising God – verse 47

B. The first priority of the local church is to edify (build up, teach, and strengthen) the saints. Ephesians 4:11-16

III. Understand your function within the local church

During your Christian life you should grow through three broad and general stages as outlined in Ephesians 4:12:

A. You are to be perfected as a saint. This is a time to observe and learn.

Your first priority should be submission to the teaching of the Word of God and learning to be the person God wants you to be. Matthew 11:28-30

B. You are to do the work of the ministry. This is a time to participate.

In time, you will naturally grow to the point where you can begin to serve and take on some basic functions through the already-established ministries of your church. Matthew 4:19; James 1:22-25

C. You are to edify the body of Christ. This is a time to lead.

As your growth continues, you should reach the point where you can begin to minister to others in the same way others have ministered to you. II Timothy 2:2

These three stages can be roughly compared to the stages of physical growth: childhood, youth, and adult. Be Patient! This process takes time. Just be sure to remain faithful to God’s established institution – the local church.

IV. Basic questions

If God moves me to another location, how do I find the particular local church through which God will want me to serve?

A. Pray about it! Ask God to lead you to the right church. James 1:5

B. Observe the qualities of a particular church and compare them with the biblical requirements of a church.

• Is there evidence of soul winning? Matthew 7:20; Acts 2:47
• Does the church leadership believe and teach the Bible as the Word of God and the infallible guide for life? Titus 1:9
• Is their membership encouraged to read and study the Bible as much as the leadership? Acts 17:10-12
• Do the people minister to the needs of others? Acts 6:1
• Does the church send out and support missionaries? Acts 13:1-3

Other Resources:

focusonthefamily.com/faith/becoming-a-christian/how-can-i-be-saved/finding-the-right-church

whatchristianswanttoknow.com/how-to-choose-a-church-7-things-to-look-for/