Landmark Baptist

Reasons Why the Church Cannot Be Universal

Discipline
No universal agency on earth exists which determines who is and who isn't a faithful Christian. These questions can only be determined locally (1 Cor. 5:1-5 'When ye are gathered together' )-- that is, only at the local level. The universal church can't withdraw from anyone! The same is true with Matthew 18:15-17 and 2 Thess. 3:6-15. These passages can only be fulfilled by the local congregation.

Organization
The Universal church has no organizational structure on earth. It has no joint action, no common fund, and no meetings. It has no elders or deacons, for these offices are only found on the local level (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:2). Scripture only discusses the qualifications of the officers in the local church, but there is no mention of an earthly office in the universal church and no list of qualifications for such an officer.

The Local church, on the other hand, has organizational structure. Each has a treasury (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Phil. 4:15-17). Each has the rules to appoint oversight (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-3; Acts 14:23; 20:17,28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Note that their oversight is specifically limited to the "flock of God which is among them".

Function:
The New Testament never mentions the universal church at work. The New Testament Scriptures are completely silent as to any organized function of the universal church. The necessary conclusion then is that since God has given the church only a local organization--the congregation--He intended that to be the medium to accomplish His work.

a. Preachers were sent out by the local church (Acts 13:1-3). They reported back to the local church. (Acts 14:25, 30). The universal church never supported a preacher.

b. Edifying itself (I Cor. 14).

c. Caring for the needy. In Jerusalem, they looked out men from among themselves. Men to set over the business of caring for their needy widows. (Acts 6). Funds for poor saints in Judea were placed in hands of elders of Judean churches to be administered by them.

d. Only the local congregation selected elders/deacons (Acts 6:1-3).

e. Only the local congregation gathered for worship and observed the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7).


Treasury
Concerning the collection mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2: It was funds from the members in Corinth that was pooled into a common treasury. Paul again specifies that he wants this monetary prosperity already pooled when he arrives. Never do we find congregations contributing funds into a universal treasury. Their funds remained distinct from the funds of other churches, even when sent to another church in need (I Cor. 16:3-4)

Accountability
Such is a definite lesson we learn from Revelation chapters 2-3. Here we find a great lesson demonstrating the reality of congregational autonomy. The sins and or successes of one congregation in no way tainted or credited the other congregations in the same geographical region. Jesus did not direct the Revelation letter to the 'association of churches in Asia', or the 'church board of Asian churches', or even 'the Asian Diocese.' The church in Ephesus or Smyrna was not accountable, was not told to repent for the error that was being tolerated in another congregation. This demands a distinction between the local congregation and the church universal.

Reasons The Church Is NOT Universal
1. The classical Greek usage of ecclesia knows nothing of a universal assembly.

2. The Koine Greek of the NT knows nothing of a universal assembly.

3. Jesus used ecclesia 22 times to refer to local churches.

4. Matthew used ecclesia twice (Mt 16 and 18 ) and context specifies a local assembly.

5. Acts refers to ecclesia many times in the plural as local assemblies established by Paul and others.

6. Most of Paul’s letters were written to local assemblies.

7. John’s letters and Revelation were written to local assemblies.

8. Jesus’ command to evangelize, baptize and teach was given to local assemblies.

9. God placed Spirit-gifted leaders in local assemblies.

10. Believers were commanded to assemble together in local assemblies.

11. The Lord’s Supper can only be practiced in local assemblies.

12. The gifts of the Spirit are to be used in the local assemblies for edification.

13. Local assemblies aide other local assemblies and missionaries in times of need.

14. The Universal Church CANNOT:

1. Assemble (Heb. 10:24-25)
2. Fellowship (Acts 2)
3. Baptize (Matthew 28 )
4. Take Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11)
5. Enjoy teaching gift in assembly (Ephesians 4)
6. Aide other assemblies (2 Corinthians 8-9)
7. Evangelize the world (Mark 16)

15. There is NO universal assembly made up of ALL believers of all times ( or ALL believers since Pentecost).

Very good! Our pastor brought up something in Revelation that I had never really thought of. The word for "candlesticks" in Revelation 1:12 is lampstand. It wasn't seven candles on one lampstand but seven separate lampstands--seven independent, local churches!!! Compare with Matthew 5:15.

I agree. The only problem is you didn't address what a large portion of universalists teach. They say the church is local in it's practice, assembly and actions, but not in it's overall general working of Christ. In other words, all churches are parts of one giant body winning the lost. I agree 100% with you, you just didn't address this issue. You only attacked the idea that there is no local body.