By Sis. Sabareela Moro
Since we’ve explored the benefits of being part of God’s family, let’s dive into why every believer needs to belong to a local church.
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
(Ephesians 2:19 NKJV)
What Is the Church?
According to the Bible, the church is the umbrella term for all who have put faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, otherwise known as the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:13). It is translated from the Greek word ‘ekklesia,’ which is defined as “called-out ones” or “an assembly.” Hence, although we call a dedicated building where believers meet to worship together “a church”, the word “church” originally refers to people, not a building.
Additionally, you might also hear the terms “universal church” and “local church.” The universal church consists of everyone worldwide who has faith in Jesus as their saviour (1 Corinthians 12:13), while the local church refers to a group of believers who fellowship together in a specific area (Galatians 1:1-2). Every believer automatically becomes a member of the universal church, but we must each prayerfully seek out a good local church to fellowship with regularly.
Does Every Believer Need to be a Member of a Local Church?
Now you might be thinking…
“Since I’m saved and part of the universal church, there isn’t any need for me to be a part of a local church. After all, I’m filled with the spirit and can just study my Bible by myself.”
If you think this way, I’d like you to know that I love you but you’re wrong.
God’s word clearly states:
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
(Hebrews 10:25 NLT)
At salvation you became a member of God’s family and His desire is that you fellowship regularly in person (not online) with your brothers and sisters in Christ so that you can enjoy the following benefits:
1. Proper discipleship:
Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make disciples, not just converts (Matthew 28:19-20). To be a disciple, you need consistent teaching from a knowledgeable teacher (Ephesians 4:12-16). While you can study the Bible on your own, you cannot fully understand God’s word or be equipped for the work of ministry, without guidance and teaching from more mature Christians and leaders.
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [e]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”.
(Ephesians 4:11-13 NKJV)
2. Spiritual and relational support:
Just as a newborn baby cannot survive without the care of adults, a new believer cannot properly grow in faith without the spiritual care, counsel, and support of mature believers. This support comes in the form of:
– Comfort and encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:24-25)
– Counsel (1 Timothy 3:15)
– Prayers (James 5:16)
– Physical welfare (Galatians 6:10, Acts 20:34-35)
You can’t enjoy these things if you’re a lone ranger or a full-time online worshipper of a ministry that’s across the world from you.
3. Accountability:
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”
(Galatians 6:1-2NLT)
God desires that believers keep each other accountable to obeying the dictates of scripture and that we be there to help each other when in need. No lone-ranger Christian can fulfil commands like those in Galatians 6:1-2. Such commands can only be fulfilled by being a part of a local church.
4. Opportunities to serve others like Jesus commanded:
God has given each of us gifts, talents, and abilities, and He commands us to use them to bless and serve one another (John 13:34-35).
See also:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
(Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)
God’s love in your heart should stir you to seek opportunities to serve.
Refusing to fellowship with other believers eventually breeds selfishness because we refuse to put ourselves in positions that demand that we love, honour and serve others sacrificially.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the benefits of being part of God’s family. God did not design us to live in isolation; He created us for community. The local church is the system through which many of His blessings manifest fully in our lives.
Prayerfully seek a good local church today. Don’t let past hurts or fear of future hurts keep you from experiencing these benefits.
I see you obeying God in this area and reaping the benefits of obedience.
