THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT MATTHEW 16 18 THE

THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT MATTHEW 16: 18

THE CHURCH “UNIVERSAL” Composed of all Christians Consists of all the saved There is just ONE Must be in this to be saved Began on Day of Pentecost Has no earthly organization Enter only by being added by Lord Can’t be divided Lord keeps the books of membership Death doesn’t affect membership Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” Composed of Christians In One Location – church at Corinth, Thessalonica – 1 Corinthians 1: 2; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1 In contrast, church universal made up of Christians everywhere! Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” THERE ARE ‘MANY’ CHURCHESRomans 16: 16 “the churches of Christ greet you. ” Galatians 1: 2 “to the churches of Galatia” Church Universal, there is just ONE! Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” BEGINS WHENEVER PEOPLE JOIN THEMSELVES TOGETHERChurch in Antioch & Jerusalem – Acts 11: 19 -26 Church Universal began in Jerusalem on Pentecost – local churches have begun at different places & times! Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” ENTER BY “JOINING” THE LOCAL CHURCHLike Paul when he came to Jerusalem – Acts 9: 26 -28 One is “added” by the Lord Himself to the Universal church, we can seek to “join” a local congregation Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” ENROLLED THROUGH HUMAN JUDGMENTSome rejected that should be received 3 John 5 -9 “Diotrephes…does not receive us. ” Evil men may kick one out of a local church, but the Lord determines who stays in the universal church! Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” CONSISTS OF SAVED & LOSTEnrollment through human judgment, fallible decisions made Local church may have nominal Christians Revelation 3: 1 -4 Hypocrites may become members of a local church – but they don’t sneak by into the church universal! Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” DO NOT HAVE TO BE IN THIS CHURCH TO BE SAVEDCase of the Eunuch – Acts 8: 39 Paul in transit between Antioch & Jerusalem- Acts 9: 46 Temporary only – in the universal church, it is impossible! Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” HAS “EARTHLY” ORGANIZATIONScripturally organized – bishops & deacons – Philippians 1: 1 Bishops called ‘Elders’ & ‘ Pastors’ whose role was to oversee & feed the local congregation- Acts 14: 23; 20: 17, 28 Only role given over universal church on earth was apostles – not replaced when they died – James in Acts 12: 2 Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” CAN BE DIVIDEDDivided over doctrine / personalities Like Corinth – 1 Corinthians 1: 10 -13; 3: 3, 4 While we can’t divide the universal church, we can be responsible for dividing local churches! Add a footer

THE CHURCH “LOCAL” DEATH AFFECTS MEMBERSHIPWhen we die – membership in local congregation ends Like Stephen – died & was no longer a member of the Jerusalem church- Acts 8: 1, 2 Membership in universal church continues after death! Add a footer

UNIVERSAL THE CHURCH LOCAL Composed of ALL Christians Composed of Christians in one location There is just One There are many Began on Day of Pentecost Begins when people join together Enter only be being added by Lord Enter by joining ourselves Lord keeps books of membership Enrolled by human judgement Consists of ALL the saved Consists of both saved and lost Must be in to be saved Do not have to be in this to be saved Has no earthly organization Has earthly organization Can’t be divided Can be divided Death doesn’t affect membership Death does affect membership

ABSENT IN SCRIPTURES IS ANY DENOMINATIONAL CONCEPT OF THE CHURCH “Large group of religious congregations united under common faith & name. . ” Religious organization uniting in single legal & administrative body a number of local congregations. ” They are denominated from all congregations that do not submit to the same authority Add a footer

KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNIVERSAL & LOCAL CHURCH IS: Universal concerns our relationship with Christ Local basically concerns our relationship with one another Our service in the local can certainly affect our standing in the universal! Is our relationship with Christ & each other what it should be? Add a footer

HAVE YOU BEEN ADDED BY THE LORD TO HIS CHURCH – UNIVERSAL? Acts 2: 36 -41, 47 “Men & brethren, what shall we do? ” “Repent, & let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” “those who gladly received his word were baptized” “the Lord add to the church daily those who were being saved” Add a footer