The Nature Of The Church (Universal)

Jul 1, 2024

3 min read

In this lesson let us observe ways in which the church universal is different from the church local.

THE CHURCH 'UNIVERSAL'
1. COMPOSED OF ALL CHRISTIANS...
  1. This is the church to which Jesus referred in Matthew 16:18
  2. It is made up of all the saved, both living and dead - cf. Hebrews 12:22-24
2. THERE IS ONLY 'ONE' CHURCH...
  1. Remember, the universal church is called the body of Christ - Ephesians 1:22-23
  2. There is only one body (Ephesians 4:4); therefore, only one church!
3. BEGAN ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST...
  1. In Jerusalem, following the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ - Acts 2:1-47
  2. As Peter later referred to this day, it was the beginning - cf. Acts 11:15
4. ENTER ONLY BE BEING 'ADDED' BY THE LORD...
  1. One cannot join the church by their own volition
  2. Rather, they are added by the Lord Himself when saved - Acts 2:41,47
5. THE LORD KEEPS THE BOOKS OF MEMBERSHIP...
  1. There is no agency on earth that keeps the registry of true members
  2. Enrolment is in heaven; only the Lord knows those truly His - Hebrews 12:23; 2Timothy 2:19
6. CONSISTS OF ALL THE SAVED...
  1. The Lord is presenting to Himself a church holy and without blemish - cf. Ephesians 5:25-27
  2. Those in the church who are sinning and refuse to repent are cut off, cast out, spewed out - cf. John 15:2,6; Romans 11:19-22; Revelations 3:16
7. MUST BE IN THIS CHURCH TO BE SAVED...
  1. For the Lord is the Savior of the body (which is His church) - Ephesians 5:23
  2. Since the Lord adds one to His church when they are saved, one cannot be saved and not be in the church universal!
8. HAS NO 'EARTHLY' ORGANIZATION...
  1. The church universal has organization - cf. Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5
    1. What organization exists is spiritual in nature
    2. Christ is the cornerstone, together with His apostles and prophets as the foundation, and all Christians are 'living stones'
  2. There is no earthly headquarters for the church
    1. E.g., no telephone number to call to speak with the head of the church
    2. For He is in heaven!
9. CANNOT BE DIVIDED...
  1. For there is no earthly organization to divide!
  2. If division appears to exist...
    1. Some unscriptural organization of churches must have been created
    2. Such an organization can have division, but the Lord's church universal cannot!
  3. Those who would seek to divide the church through doctrine, conduct, etc., are simply cut off by the Lord Himself!

-- There is and always will be, 'one body' - Ephesians 4:4 (we need to make sure we are remaining faithful to be in it!)

DEATH DOESN'T AFFECT MEMBERSHIP...
1. The church universal is made up of the saved, both living and dead - Hebrews 12:22-23
2. When one dies, they are still with Christ! - Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:10

CONCLUSION

We have seen there are at least ten things true of the church universal...
1. Composed of all Christians
2. There is just one
3. Began on the Day of Pentecost
4. Enter only by being added by the Lord
5. The Lord keeps the books of membership
6. Consists of all the saved
7. Must be in this to be saved
8. Can't be divided
9. Death doesn't affect membership