The Work of the Local Church

As we strive to be New Testament Christians, using the New Testament as our standard and guide, it is important for us to consider what God has established for the work of the local church. As we look around us in the denominational world, we see churches engaging in all kinds of different activities. When we search the Word of God to see what is approved, we see that God intends for the local church to engage in the work of benevolence, evangelism, and edification.

Benevolence. We see in Acts 11:28-30 that when a famine was predicted for Judea, the brethren of Antioch determined to send them relief. A similar need is seen in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 8-9. From this we conclude that it is not only right but important for churches to assist churches in other areas when a need arises. Furthermore, we see particularly in 1 Timothy 5:5-16 that those who were "widows indeed" within a congregation could be supported by that congregation, and from this we conclude that the local church can help physically support their own who are in need. We see no evidence from any of the Scriptures, however, that churches were involved in assisting those outside the flock of God. Helping those who are in need who are without is absolutely the responsibility of the individual Christian (Galatians 6:10, James 1:27), but nowhere has God "so burdened" the church (cf. 1 Timothy 5:16).

Evangelism. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, established that it was right and profitable for him, if he so chose, to receive physical, financial support for the spiritual work he was doing in the Kingdom. Indeed, in 2 Corinthians 11:7-9, Paul says that he "robbed" other churches, particularly in Macedonia, to work with the Corinthians! While we believe that Paul is speaking in a figure, probably with a little sarcasm, in order to establish his point, since the Macedonians freely supported Paul (cf. Philippians 4:15-18); nevertheless, we see that the New Testament establishes that evangelists, for the spiritual work they do, can be supported by the congregation. Likewise, whatever material that is necessary for the promotion of the Gospel may be obtained so that this work may be done (cf. Philippians 4:14-18).

Spiritual Edification. The church was designed by God to assemble-- after all, of what value is an assembly that never assembles? (The word "church" in Greek is ekklesia, which means "assembly"). Paul and the Hebrew author explicitly identify one of the main purposes of the assembling of the saints: to encourage one another, to build one another up-- to edify (1 Corinthians 14:26, Hebrews 10:24-25). To assemble requires a place of assembly, and determining such is considered a liberty in the New Testament. The church also is to facilitate the partaking of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:20-34), for which brethren are to purpose to assemble. The assemblies in the New Testament were designed for the spiritual building up of the saints, and we do not see present all kinds of attractions of a physical sort in the least.

Such, then, is what God has established for the church to do. While men will often add to the responsibilities of the church, we can understand from 1 Timothy 5:16 that the church is not to "be burdened" with obligations beyond what is necessary. Let individuals fulfill their responsibilities before the Lord so that the church can focus on its spiritual mission in this darkened world!

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist@norwalkchurch.org

The Spiritual Assembly

As we consider the denominational world around us, many trends become apparent. Denominational assemblies focus on many worldly things in an attempt to be "seeker friendly". One can go to a large "church" complex, obtain cofee from the coffeehouse, buy some books from the bookstore, and then sit in a pew or a chair and sit back and watch the "church service" and be entertained. This trend is extremely popular, and such complexes are growing very quickly. Is this, however, what God has purposed for the assembly?

The New Testament is very clear that Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom (John 18:36). As it is written in John 4:21-24:

Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Paul encourages us to speak and think in spiritual ways (1 Corinthians 2:11-13). As we assemble together, our minds are to be on spiritual things. The first Christians in Acts 2:42, "devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers". In 1 Corinthians 14:26, the brethren are said to come together having something to present of spiritual value: a lesson, or a psalm, or a teaching, or some such thing.

God intends the assembly of the saints to be an event focused on spiritual matters. The assembly is designed for the saints; if unbelievers are present, well and good (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25), but the saints purpose to come together and to build one another up (Acts 20:7, Hebrews 10:24-25). The assembly is not a venue of entertainment, or of coffee, or as a bookstore; it is a time for brethren to build one another up in spirit. May it be that we are the ones whom God seeks, worshipping Him in spirit and truth!

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist@norwalkchurch.org

Scriptures to Consider

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty, (2 Peter 1:12-16 ESV).

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen, (2 Peter 3:17-18 ESV).

The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies!

Our location:

386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city limits)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

Our assemblies:

Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm

Our Bible studies:

Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am
Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm

For More Information

If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at evangelist@norwalkchurch.org.

Please click here to return to the 2006 archive of Good News for Norwalk, or click here to return to the main page of Good News for Norwalk. Thanks!