The Local Church
Chapter
1
THE CHURCH THROUGH THE AGES
This outline is a brief consideration of five different stages
of development of the New Testament Church. We will start with
the prophecies about the Church and end with the restoration in
the last days.
Foreshadowed in the Old Testament
God's plan of the ages has been revealed progressively through
out His Word. First, in figures and shadows and then in Christ
as mystery. Romans 16:26 this mystery was revealed and made
manifest in the scriptures through the prophets, the fullness of
that mystery is being unfolded even today and will continue to
unfold until the completion of the entire plan. Ephesians
1:3-14; 3:1-11. It is also true that the New Testament writers
referred continually to the Old Testament and applied it to
their day. Acts1:20; 2:16
Instituted by Christ
It was through the lie and ministry of Christ that the New
Testament Church came into being. The entire plan and message
was Christ centered from the beginning. He was Directly referred
to for the first time in Genesis 3:15 as the "seed of the
woman". Christ then is the greatest revelation of the plan of
the ages (II Timothy 1:9; Revelation 13:8; Hebrews 1:1-2)
Christ realized what the prophets spoke of the great fulfillment
and spiritual order. It was now being built through Him. The
fulfillment of the natural order is taken up in the words of the
Lord Jesus; "I will build my Church". This was no brand new plan
but rather a further step in the plan. This was the transition
from the type to anti-type, from shadows to reality, from
natural to spiritual. Notice that the Lord says, " upon this
rock I will build my Church", this rock essentially is the
revelation of who Christ is and through the public confession of
it. Christ was both the foundation and the corner stone of the
spiritual temple. When the spiritual was realized, the natural
barriers and the natural distinction ceased to exist in the
redemptive plan/dealings of God. The great Body of Christ is now
the center of God's plan. There is now no separate plan for the
Jews or Gentiles. (Ephesians 1:10; 2:14-16; 3:6; John 10:16;
Colossians 3:12).
From the above scriptures we can conclude that God has one great
plan that includes all nations and that God no longer deals in
any exclusive manner with one particular nation but deals with
all nations. This is not to say that there are no prophecies for
the nations, it is only to say that this is secondary in His
plan and shall have no pre-eminence over the Church.
Structured by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit through the Apostles gave the New Testament
structure. The old wineskin could not suffice for the new wine,
therefore with the change of covenant comes a new structure
· Organism: Primarily Church is an organism (I Corinthians
12:12-14). This scripture portrays the Church under the analogy
of human body. The effectiveness depends on function of every
organ and not upon one organ (one man). Church is built on
relationship. Relationship is the joining (of the joints).
Before relationship comes commitments, where commitments are
weak then relationships are also weak. The commitment is to the
will of God, the will of God being the local church to which God
has joined us. We cannot run away from this will of God. Cross
is the instrument of God to build a true relationship.
o Two reasons why someone should leave the local church
§ Doctrinal problem
§ Geographical problem
A decision on this matter should be taken after much
deliberation with God; otherwise we may go the way of Abraham,
producing Ishmael's.
Christ is the head of the Church. He has so entered into a
covenant union that she is a part of Him. The Lord is
'complimented' by the Church and the Church is complete in Him.
He fills the Church or dwells in her. He is like the blood to
the body.
· The health of the organism: The health of the organism is
maintained as each person yields to the Spirit and allows the
working of the cross in Him. Natural abilities and talents have
no place of importance in the true Body of Christ. The
importance is given to the actual expression of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is invisible but His expressions through the
members are visible. As the spiritual organism we need to submit
ourselves to the Holy Spirit to function in and through us. It
is this working of the Holy Spirit and the cross that will keep
the organism healthy. The gates of Hell can only prevail when
there is a common ground identifying with the things of the
evil. Responsibility is on every one to keep the body of Christ
healthy. A gathering of lively stones is not a building. They
only form a heap. There is no relatedness there. It's easy for
the stones to be picked away/ robbed. The commitment in such a
place is shallow. However, an organism is different in this -
Relatedness. The stones are joined to one another not by
doctrines and teachings and a common faith but by the reality of
Christ's' life within. From such joining it is difficult to
'steal and destroy' the stones.
· Organization: The Church is also an organization in a limited
sense. When more than one individual is involved an organization
is inevitable. Organization such as, the place of worship, the
time of worship etc. There is a spiritual organizing that could
be linked to the SKELETON system of the body. It acts as the
framework. It gives a definite shape and form to the body. It
causes the body to be solid, stable and permanent. It supports
all organs and causes them to be properly related to one another
and causes proper movement to the body. The skeleton can not
move without the body and the body cannot move without the
skeleton. Therefore, the organization or the framework of the
Church is simple yet very vital. We are not to be disobedient to
the pattern and the order prescribed of God.
Basically the local church consists of elders and deacons in the
organizational setup.
· Elders: (Acts 14:23) Notice there were to be elders in every
Church and a detailed list of their qualification is given to
Timothy. (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). A study of their
qualifications reveals, that they are men of governmental
ministries over the house of God. These elders may or can fall
into several categories ('elders' is plural and not singular).
There is a great variety in each of these ministries though the
basic functions are similar and the end result is the same.
Elders
Categories
Apostles
Prophets
Teachers
Evangelists
Pastors
One elder may be anointed and appointed as an Apostle while
another as an evangelist. He should not attempt to assume a
ministry that he is not equipped. For the Holy Spirit makes
known each ministry. Firstly, one has an inward witness of the
Spirit, and then it is confirmed by the Church by the laying on
of hands.
· Deacons: There are 'servants' in the Church. These are men who
carry the physical aspects of the Work of God. Acts 6:1-5 (These
were not called to preach but to serve tables!) They had to be
spiritual men because it was impossible for them to delight in
this menial work of cleaning the table and to attend the table
unless they love to serve the people. They took the 'business'
load off the ministering elders.
Stripped by false doctrine and spiritual decline
In the Old Testament they had almost the same principles, when
they sinned either by disobedience, rebellion or by unbelief,
they were given over to enemies just as there were periods of
captivity for Israel, so too there has been periods of dark ages
in the Church history.
i. This decline was spoken in the New Testament I John 4:3;
Revelation 2:4-3:16. Notice some of the problems in these
churches. "Left their first love", "blasphemy of them which say
they are Jews and are not", "false doctrine or fornication",
"teachings of idolatry of Jezebel". Luke-warmness and spiritual
idleness! This shows that an immediate adulteration of Christ,
teaching by the anti-Christ influence. There are few scriptures
which are prophetic about this decline in these last days ( II
Thessalonians 2:1-3; II Peter 2:1-3; Mathew 24:9-14; II Timothy
3:13)
ii. Fulfilled in history. Dark ages were certainly envisioned in
these prophecies. Apostasy and doctrinal corruption starts with
leaders. Hosea 4:9 The elders either brings revivals or stand
accountable to God. The key to restoration is to restore
leaders. He is restoring leaders and setting aside the
hirelings.
Restored in the last days
· The New Testament bride shall be glorious when she is united
with her bridegroom. Ephesians 5:27,32 are to be exercised and
fulfilled fully in these last days. Revelations 19:6,3; Mathew
16:18The whole teaching of the Bible is that God will overcome
all evil. It is the church the glorious one together with her
heavenly bridegroom that shall overcome all evil. James 5:7 The
latter rain comes that prepares the harvest.
· Old Testament prophecies teaches restoration to New Testament
Acts 3:20,21; 15:13-17. The rich truth connected to the
tabernacle of David can be seen in the verses. Acts 2:16-21.
Prophetic expressions of Joel speaks about end time restoration
(partially fulfilled)
· There are Old Testament types that the Lord had designed to
foreshadow the last days restoration. The Book of Nehemiah,
Ezra, Zechariah, Haggai and many scriptures portions from the
book of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Some related scriptures
Psalms 69:35; 102:13-16; 132:133-18; Isaiah 4:2-6
Chapter 2
CHURCH AND CHURCHES
In order to understand what God is building and how we are to
co-labor with Him, it is very important that we can view with
understanding both the 'Church' and the 'Churches'. The Church
when used in the sense of the universal Body of Christ speaks to
us in terms of God's general and overall plan as it relates to
the whole of human race and the universe. The Church when it is
used in relation to a local body of believers speaks to us of
the actual people that form concrete expressions or
manifestation of the universal Church. The one is abstract the
other is concrete.
· The Church mystical: Matthew 16:18. The Church referred to
here in this verse is totality of the redeemed past, present and
future Church. It is always used in singular. God has only one
Church. Eph 1:22,23; 5:23; Heb 12:23; Eph 3:10; 5:25,27,32.
· The Church concrete: We should mention that the Lord Jesus
used the term Church in Matthew 18:15-18 to denote a local group
of believers or church concrete. It is distinguished from the
invisible and the mystical church. The universal church takes
local and temporal form. It can be called as a company of
believers or the Body of Christ. Acts 14:23; Romans 16:1-5; I
Corinthians 4:17; 12:18,28; II Thes 2:14
· The meaning of the word 'Church': The Greek word is "EKKLESIA"
meaning called out and gathered together. Acts 19:32
· Practical importance: The revelation and understanding of the
Church being local and consisting of real people with real human
needs is where effective ministry must begin. One often hears a
lot being spoken about the Church universal while the local
aspect of the Church is neglected. One cannot have a practical
and tangible ministry if one has only a mystical vision. He will
never be properly related to other believers until he realizes
that he is a member in a local visible body. One may have a
right understanding of the universal church and yet be found
guilty of the sin mentioned in I Corinthians 11:29-32.
Many are frustrated in their ministry today, because they have
not seen their obligation to the visible local body of Christ.
Many say that they are 'organs ' but they do not have a body! To
see a dismembered body is a horrifying sight.
It is not enough to appreciate the teaching of the Body of
Christ and teach it, it is a matter to be followed up. The
effectiveness of a Body is related to how we relate to it and
how healthy we are.
LOCAL CHURCH IN PROPER FOCUS
Today, there is no real emphasis on local church and proper
structure and leadership. Local churches are still God's
permanent order for this age or present time. They may have to
go through changes or adopt various circumstances, yet it is
God's order for the present time. Strong local Churches are in
fact the current emphasis and the burden of the Spirit. This
emphasis and the burden of the Spirit is the vital pattern for
evangelization and bringing the people to maturity.
The violation of the simple truth is one reason for so much
confusion and wasted effort. In order to establish the local
churches and the strong leadership, we must see God's pattern in
His Word. We will now begin by viewing the church order and
leadership in the Old Testament.
The tabernacle
A clear type of God's new covenant pattern can be seen in Aaron
and his sons Num 3:1,2
Aaon
Apostles
Nadab
Prophets
Abhihu
Teachers
Eliazar
Pastors
Ithamar
Evangelists
The Priest and the Levites in the Old Testament are a type of
New Testament Elders and Deacons. The Tabernacle is the picture
of the Church.
The Watchman on the Wall
The watchman on the walls of Jerusalem in the ancient times were
a type of leaders of spiritual Jerusalem which is the Church
Isaiah 62:6,7 Ezekiel 3:16. They are custodians and their
responsibilities as a watchman was great that the life and the
welfare of every one within the city depended on them.
o Shepherds: Shepherds have been figurative of the leaders of
God's flock in the Old Testament Jer 23:3,4; 12:10; Acts
20:28,29;
o Prophets: II Chronicles 20:20; Ezra 6:14
Church Order and Leadership in the New Testament
· The Five-Fold Ministry: These are gifts given by Christ. This
is said to be His method of caring for and bringing the Church
to maturity. Ephesians 4:11-13. In this portion of the scripture
it is very clear that these leaders are needed until the Church
grows into her full stature of Christ. These leaders can only
find these ministries function in terms of local body of
believers.
· The book of Acts constantly presents strong leadership and
local churches. The book of Acts can actually be called the book
of Doctrine and teaching being demonstrated that we might have
workable illustrations of the teachings of the Epistles.
· The object of the Holy Spirit is to establish a dwelling
place. Our object also needs to be to go forth, building under
the framework of leadership established by the Holy Spirit. This
is done not to violate the Body ministry or the priesthood of
all the believers. Oversight does not bring bondage when
practiced rightly but it brings true release and liberty. The
restoration of flocks and shepherds are major concerns spoken by
prophets.
Chapter 3
PRINCIPLES OF TRUE GOVERNMENT
A Church is first of all a spiritual organism and in a limited
sense an organization. If either area is neglected the Church
will be weak to maintain the spiritual life. We need the
government, but the government in itself will not produce
spiritual life. Organism ad organization is required. No where
does the scripture speak of an unorganized local church, we must
therefore stress on these two aspects or phases of divine
government. Very often many are occupied with the organization
of the Church that so little of the organic reality is seen. It
is a dangerous thing to have something so perfect in structure
but lifeless! Church is a spiritual organism.
Some mistakes which need to be avoided in our lives
· Haste: Tendency to 'over structure' too soon is prevalent all
around us today, a desire to get into a full-blown program right
at the inception. We must relax in the Lord and find God's time
and God's peace. We are not to intrude into God's will with
human ambition. We are not to run ahead but run along.
· To much emphasis on program and external aspect of growth: Be
simple and be a good feeder of the flock. Do not create many
positions and jobs. Keep key men involved in certain spiritual
activity along with you and invest much time in training them
personally. The Apostle Paul did this in his time.
· Lack of teaching and real spiritual feeding and also prayer
and worship: Growth of the local church must come from this base
otherwise it will be superficial.
· Lack of fellowship among the flock: The fellowship was strong
in Jerusalem in the early Church because of the active
fellowship amongst them. Today, fellowship among the flock is
one of the greatest need. We read the about the burden of the
early church/apostle in Hebrews (Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:25).
Such a fellowship will create a unity in to the body and would
result in the emergence of true worship, prayer and body
ministry.
Plurality in local government
This is the only kind of government in the New Testament. No man
qualifies to govern and rule in the House of God who does not
fulfil the qualification of the elder given in I Timothy 3:1-7.
We are not to rush in to getting (appointing) leadership in the
local assembly. To compromise on qualification of leadership is
to lower the quality of work.
No word 'elder' (singular) is used in the local church in the
sense of being the elder over that Church. Though we find one of
the elder was considered senior or leader. PLURALITY IS NOT
EQUALITY.
What is an independent or autonomous local church
A survey of the New Testament will reveal that every church is
autonomous or independent Church. This would mean a local Church
is self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating. There
is no headquarter or state-level or district-level over-sights.
Many churches have lost its fire because of its
denominationalism. There is no medium between Christ and the
local church. Though we have had ordained ministries in the
local church, it is complete in itself. Elders are the Supreme
Court of the local church, though there are ministries that
raise them. Elders of the local church have the final authority.
No local church can say that they do not need fellowship of
other churches. However, we need to have a right balance. Many
denominational churches have turned towards modernism and
apostasy while many independent churches have gone astray. If
they are not submitted to true ministries they are rebellious.
They need to be under true ministries that they may be governed
and nurtured. We have to be independent yet interdependent.
The local church in its proper function protects itself against
influence such as
o Autocracy and misuse of authority by ambitious men.
o Hearsay spreading beyond the local church
o Sectarianism (Consolidation/groupism)