By: Bro. Simon Chares Cheyo
The local church has been misunderstood for a long time. Some say ” they are too busy to sit for hours at “a place”, others prefer being in the comfort of their homes watching their daily pastors/ preachers “online”. And when they finally attend “a service”, it’s either too long, or boring and lacks modern world theatrics, or that the message is too harsh, or worse, “the message doesn’t suit me!”, saying such to their loss. All this is a ploy to seek what pleases themselves, as in 2 Timothy 4:3, or to rather “depart from the faith” 1 Timothy 4:1.
II Timothy 4:3 NKJV: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
I Timothy 4:1 NKJV: Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
Through reading this article, the reader will finally understand how important it is that they are rooted in a local church and a change in mindset towards what the church is and targeting the issues mentioned above.
Defining “The Local Church”
The word church in Greek, ie ekklesia, “called out ones” and further in the context of the verse, Jesus referred to the church as MY CHURCH meaning through His death, burial and resurrection, He would establish his people, who are one in the message of the gospel i.e salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
After the Resurrection, He commisions the disciples to proclaim the gospel across all nations, we see this in Matthew 28 19-20, a duty presented to all who believe in the gospel ie the salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, uniting us all in His Name.
“go therefore and make disciples….. teaching them to observe ALL things that I have commanded you….”Throughout the bible, the concept of the church was prefigured by Moses by the assembly in the wilderness. In Exodus 18, where he gathered with the people to teach them, and Jethro, his father-in-law, advised him to ease his work by dividing it among able men(leaders) to continue such teaching. In the four gospels, it was made evident that Jesus gathered at places to teach the gospel. Matthew 4:23, 9:35; Mark 5:21.23
Matthew 4:23 NKJV: And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
Ultimately, in the books of Acts, where we saw believers gathering, the word of God was preached and taught, and disciples were made. This was done house to house, or at common places. Importantly, they did this physically, Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1, 37- 42, 46.
Acts 1:14 :These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Having seen the above, we ought to adress the following ideas and misconceptions before we see the importance of the church.
What Then is the Church?
The church is a physical gathering and assembly of believers. It is God’s family on Earth united through Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. It is established for the purpose of exercising His authority here on Earth. It is under a definite leadership, and in fellowship together, where they are trained and taught the word of God, with the ultimate goal to teach and disciples others.
The Church as a Building
Over time, since believers gathered in houses, places etc, the English language coined the specific buildings were Christians gather as a church. You can’t call a building a church except with the people in it. Hence it is the people, ie the gathering of believers that are called a church and not a mere building.
Can I Attend the Service Online?
Yes. Under certain “temporary” conditions or if in countries where meeting at a physical place and be difficult. However, the blueprint and emphasis of the early church in the bible were seen in meeting physically. There’s a benefit to being there physically rather than attending a service online. In the earlier times, there were other remote means of communication that included letters, yet Paul desired to meet them face-to-face because of the importance of physically meeting. – Romans 1:11.
Romans 1:10-11 NKJV
[10] making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. [11] For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
The Importance of the Local Church
The local church is where the teaching of the Word of God takes place. Since it is the pillar and ground of the truth, the truth is the word of God, the message of the gospel of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus was, is, and should be taught diligently as seen in 2 Timothy 3:16. The word of God taught in the church is for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness that believers would attain maturity in faith. Colossians 3:16 buttresses the point further,
“.. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom….”
The local church is where prayer takes place. Throughout the book of Acts, believers met and prayed (Acts 1:14, the disciples ‘gathered’ in prayer), Paul, in his epistles, encouraged prayer to the churches he wrote to (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5). He told them to either pray for each other or pray for the church’s elders as they administered the word of God to them. All this is to insist that prayer is vital in the church, as much as God’s word is preached.
I Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV[17] pray without ceasing,
The local church is where the ministry gifts function. In Ephesians 4:7-16, Paul informs the church at Ephesus concerning the ministry gifts, encouraging them that these are for the growth of the church. Ephesians 4:11-13 NKJV
[11] 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 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;
The local church is where believers receive understanding concerning spiritual gifts and operate in them. As a part of manifesting the spirit of God, prophecy, tongues, and interpretations, healing, signs, and wonders are seen in attendance at the local church. The disciples walked in healing, signs, and wonders as they preached the gospel and led multitudes to believe Christ Jesus is our lord and Saviour. Healing is in God’s character; it is our duty to administer such, and you will find such in the local church – Acts 5 v 12, 1 Corinthians 12,13, and 14.
The local church teaches believers how to support, share, and sacrifice. When Paul tried to join the disciples, they feared him, but Barnabas took him and vouched for him. (Acts 9:26-27). Paul worked and shared with those around him, as seen in the example of Acts 19 and Acts 20. Likewise, Paul in the local church could receive a gift – Philippians 4:10-23. This shows how the local church, the church’s leadership, and the assembly must walk in love and share. The aim of all these is to mature the believer in faith and Christ’s fullness.
Acts 9:26-27 NKJV[26] And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. [27] But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Having read the article, I believe you have gained a clear understanding of the importance of attending a local church. Wherever you are, look for a church with these qualities: teaching God’s word diligently, prayer, discipleship, and constant follow-up, together with doing all these in love and unity. All these are for the growth of your life as a believer in the salvation of Faith through Christ Jesus. You need to belong to a local church today!
