Counterpoint: A Christian Is Not a Christian without a Local Church
Posted in Once I Was a Kansas Girl and tagged with Bible, Christianity, Church, Jesus Christ, Point/Counterpoint on July 22, 2008Point: I can be a Christian without the local church.
Counterpoint: I cannot be a Christian without the local church.
Yes, a Christian is essentially a follower of Christ. Such a follower cannot pick and choose the areas they will follow Christ in. That means they cannot forsake the assembling with believers (Hebrews 10:25) as is commanded in Christ’s Scriptures.
As soon as a person unites with Christ in salvation, they are united with the universal Church. While the universal Church, the body of Christ, is not the same thing as the local church, they are related. Every member of Christ’s body should participate in the local manifestation of Christ’s body.
While the local church did not officially exist in the day of Christ, this is not because Christ does not fully support the church. In fact, He calls it His church (Matthew 16:18). We see the building of His church in the first century especially in the book of Acts. Within a matter of decades there were numerous churches to be found throughout much of Asia, reaching into Africa and Europe as well.
Without the local church, a Christian is not allowing God to use them as He desires in the lives of other believers. Meeting with other believers in small groups or one-on-one with other believers is great, but it cannot be a substitute for the meeting of the local church. These activities should be done through the general congregation, not instead of the general gathering of like-minded believers.
A disobedient Christian is one who is not right with their Master. If they are not following Christ, they have no right to be called a follower of Christ.
Tomorrow I’ll post the conclusion to this series, and you’ll know what I REALLY think!
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Can’t wait!
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Well, let’s say you become a Christian reading both these arguments and haven’t made a choice yet, then you immediately drop dead… are you one? That’s my answer :-)
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I can so tell what you really think! =) I guess I’ll find out if I’m right tomorrow…
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Or so you think, my friend. =) We’ll see, we’ll see…
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Both good points. I can’t wait to see what your conclusion is. :)
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Interesting arguments on both sides. I’m looking forward to the next installment! :)