Are Christians Called To Be Members of A Local Church?
Recently we had several people introduced as new members of BRCC. This is such a time of joy for them and the whole church! I taught a bit about the importance of the local church that Sunday, but I thought it would be good to dive more in-depth in this post. To do this, I am simply copying Question 71 from our catechism. I hope this helps us understand this foundational doctrine.
In Christ,
Bret
Question 71: Are Christians only called to be part of the universal Church?
No, all Christians are called to be part of local churches where they are led and cared for by elders, worship God, learn the Scripture, receive the sacraments, pray together, serve one another, and carry out the Great Commission together.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In the previous question, we learned a definition of the Church that embraces all believers across all time. This is known as the universal church. However, Christians can not really fellowship with the universal church. You can’t really serve or receive from believers who died years ago or from believers who live across the globe and don’t speak your language. For this reason, God calls every Christian to be part of a local church.
This question describes the basics of life in a local church. A local church is not just a random gathering of Christians. It is a place that is organized with official leaders (elders) who lead and care for the flock, and where believers regularly gather for worship, the teaching of the Scripture, receive the sacraments, serve one another, and work to reach out to the lost both locally and around the globe, and to disciple those who come to faith. Anything else is not a local church, and such informal gatherings are insufficient to live out the Christian life as God commands in the Scripture.
In the coming questions, we will look at the sacraments which are mentioned in this question. For now, it is important to understand that all believers all called to specific local churches, and to also understand the nature and activities of such local churches.
Additional Questions:
Are Christians only part of the universal Church?
Scripture References:
Acts 14:23
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Titus 1:5,9
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you… 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Hebrews 13:7, 17
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith….17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 Corinthians 14:26
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
Acts 2:36–47
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Philippians 2:3–4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
2 Timothy 2:1–2
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Matthew 28:18–20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Romans 10:13–15
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Questions for Further Discussion:
What is the local church?
Why do we need the local church? Isn’t it enough to simply be part of the universal church and to fellowship with other Christians?
What distinguishes a local church from a group of Christians that get together to fellowship, study the Scripture, and pray together? Why is that not a local church?
Why does a local church need to be involved in fulfilling the Great Commission together? Is it enough for a local church to have leaders, teach the Scripture, and spend time in fellowship and prayer with each other? Why do they have to reach out to the lost and make disciples?
Additional Information:
This question is based on questions 83-85 of the Heidelberg Catechism, questions 85–89 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 48 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg or Westminster Shorter Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teaching “The Local Church and the Universal Church” (October 14, 2012), “The Church – Universal and Local” (October 11, 2020), “The Church – Elders” (October 18, 2020), “The Church – The Community of Worship” (October 25, 2020), “The Church – The Community of Servanthood” (November 15, 2020), and “The Church – God’s People on Mission Together” (November 22, 2020).
Suggested Worship Song:
Speak, O Lord (Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music)
(This song is a great picture of what happens when we gather as a local church. We pray for God to speak to us, to fashion us, for us to serve one another and the lost around us.)
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.
Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.