the church and christ the distinct mission of the church

The Church and Christ

The Distinct Mission of the Church

The “Church” and Christ

th e U n ive rsa lC h u rch

M att.1 6 :1 8

th e L oca lC h u rch

M att.1 8 :1 7

th e R eg ion a lC h u rch

1 C or.1 6 :1 ,1 9

C h u rchek les ia

th e ca lled ou t


In the Universal “Church” …. Jesus is Head

Individual Individual Individualcomprise the Body

Gal.3:26-29

Mk.16:15-16

Eph.1:22-23

Eph.5:23-25

1Cor.12:13ff


OK, but what about the Local church?


In the Local church--Jesus is still Head

butElders/Bishops/Pastors/Overseers

function subordinately to Him over the members, Acts 14:23; 20:17 >28;

Heb.13:17; 1Pet.5:1-3


But, in the Local church--

We have Liberal and Conservative???

What does that mean???

Depends on who is using the terminology….could mean practically

anything….Or Nothing!


So, in the Local church--

Institutional?or

Non-Institutional?

“Institutional” is simply the upholding of institutions. Placing

emphasis upon the institution or the highly organized. “Non-Institutional” is the opposite- generally.


From where did these concepts of the Local church come?In the 1950’s local churches split and aligned

themselves respectively over primarily 4 related issues:

1. Church supported Orphans/Widows Homes2. Church supported Missionary Societies3. Church supported Preaching Colleges4. Church supported Social Gospel- Fellowship

Halls, Gymnasium, etc.


Though much debate & division has evolved relative to authority,

organizational structure, independence of local congregations

and their work and purpose,the basic premise upon which the

arguments are and must be made can still get lost….


Ask yourself this question:

If something has been institutionalized….

What was it before?


Understand that one’s concept of “church” dictates one’s view of its work! Notice:

Orphans/Widows homes > BenevolenceMissionary Society > EvangelismPreaching Colleges > EvangelismSocial Gospel > Edification


All seem to agree that these items- evangelism, edification, and benevolence, comprise “the work of the church”,

but the disagreement has at its heart our concept of exactly what or who comprises the “church”.

Was the “church” institutional from the beginning?


Look at how it first did its work to help answer that question. Did the early church need or use an institution to:

1. Function Benevolently? Acts 4:32-35; 11:292. Preach the Gospel? Acts 9:31; 11:19-24;

Phil.4:15; Acts 16:1-33. Edify itself, Acts 20:32; Eph.4:11-16


Now, we can see that the early church did not create or maintain separate institutions to do

the work God assigned it to do.

But, please do not lose sight of this fundamental question/issue:


Is man’s relationship with God (obviously through Jesus Christ) direct and

immediate ?or

Is it his relationship with an institution (the church) which puts him in contact

with God ???


Or put another way….

Is the local church the individual’s link with God

oris it simply a tool for the use of the saints

to work together while their link to God remains direct and immediate?


In the Universal “Church” …. Jesus is Head

Individual Individual Individualcomprise the Body

Gal.3:26-29

Mk.16:15-16

Eph.1:22-23

Eph.5:23-25

1Cor.12:13ff

The Distinct Mission:

When we properly understand the difference between the Church (universal) and a Church (local),as well as what each can do, is prevented from doing, and how it is to fullfill its Mission….Then the Church- universal & local will

truly be DISTINCT in that Mission!

the church and christ the distinct mission of the church

Documents