local church

[Gerad]

Does anyone think that BAptists are carried away with "the local church"? Some of the worst problems in church history were the result of AN OVER-REACTION TO HERESY. Sure, the Catholic church had abuses and popery, and the Reformers gave us evil state churches. But, IN REACTION TO ALL OF THAT, Baptists seem to have gone to the other extreme in claiming that there is not a universal church. Paul said there is ONE church, and he didn't mean the Ephesian church! Jesus said he would build his "church", singular. Further, Baptists claim that every N.T. letter was written to "a local church". Yeah, but that's not denying the catholicity of the church of Jesus Christ. Further, the churches Paul wrote to were not of the 'local church" slant that BAptists make it. Those churches were REGIONAL CHURCHES...CITY-CHURCHES...more similar to a district or synod or diocese than the Baptist "local church" idea of four walls and 15 core members. Come on, now. Baptists need to come the other way some on this. Their version of "the local church" is a setup for the same abuses distinctive of the Catholic church.

 

[just-want-peace]

I've been a resident of this planet for nearly 70 years, attending Baptist churches 'bout the same, active member for some 60 of those years, and I have no idea what your point is about Baptist churches.

Baptists seem to have gone to the other extreme in claiming that there is not a universal church.

I've never seen any opposition to the idea of "the church" being the body of believers; as well as the brick & mortar on the corner.

If you're talking about one universal denomination, then I agree, but "church?"; see comment above.

Those churches were REGIONAL

So??

Their version of "the local church" is a setup for the same abuses distinctive of the Catholic church.

C'mon now, don't you think this is a bit of overkill? Doesn't ring true for any of the churches I'm familiar with, though I won't deny the possibility.

 

[dh1948]

I have been a member of Baptist churches since I was saved in 1963. Each one was a visible assembly of believers who gathered to worship in a particular location.

Baptists in general believe that all believers constitute the "invisible" church. It cannot assemble. It cannot conduct business. It cannot send missionaries. It cannot discipline members. It cannot baptize. It cannot observe the Lord's Supper. It cannot have officers, ie, pastor and deacons. It is merely a belief that all believers constitute the invisible Body of Christ.

Some Baptists reject this idea and subscribe to a "local-church-only" belief. These use the term "family of God" to describe all believers, and totally reject the idea of an "invisible church."

I'm not sure it is going to matter when we get to heaven.

So, I really don't see your problem with the local church.

 

[garpier]

Please give the reference to Paul's use of "ONE Church"

 

[Soulman]

So. Whats yer point?