BEN F. VICK, JR.
When one is baptized into Christ he is baptized into the universal church of Christ (Gal. 3:26-27; I Cor. 12:13); otherwise, every time one identified with a different local church of Christ he would have to be baptized again. As Paul and Barnabas returned to visit the churches they had established on their evangelistic journey, they did not have to be baptized again at each stop (Acts 14:21-23). When one becomes a Christian by believing the gospel (I Cor. 15:1-4; John 8:24), repenting of one’s sins (Acts 17:30; Acts 2:28), confessing Christ before men (Rom. 10:9-10), and being baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:28), the Lord adds him to the universal church (Acts 2:47); but he should also become identified with a local congregation.
Some members of the church universal feel no need to become identified with a local congregation. They evidently think that as long as they are members of the church universally they can just “float” around to different congregations as they see fit. Perhaps several factors have led to this practice. The mobility of our society makes it easy for one to just “visit” around from congregation to congregation. Such an one is always a visitor in the congregation he is attending. Many congregations in a general area make this possible, though there are some congregations that are not loyal to the truth of God’s word. Traveling takes money. If money were not so readily available to us, there would be fewer trips away from our home congregation. If a depression were to hit us, our traveling would be curtailed. A failure to teach one’s duty to his home congregation may be the cause for some who flit and float from congregation to congregation.
Placing membership or identifying with a local congregation is taught in the New Testament. Each congregation is autonomous, i.e., self-governing. The church at Antioch determined to send relief to the brethren in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). Jerusalem did not dictate to Antioch what they should do nor how much they should send. Later, in the special contribution for the poor of Jerusalem, the church at Corinth determined a year in advance what they would do. Paul encouraged them to go ahead and keep their promise, or pledge (II Cor. 8:10-11). It was Corinth that decided to give, not another church deciding for them. When a congregation determines to give or to refrain from giving to a work, it exercises its autonomy. Now, how could these local churches determine to give if the members had no obligation to their home congregation?
The very word “church” means assembly. The churches at Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, Rome, etc., were assemblies that met in these cities. If one claims membership with the church at Philippi, but is regularly visiting other congregations, how can he be considered a member of the Philippi church? It seems he would be just a member at large.
Paul wrote, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” (I Thess. 5:12-13). In another place we read, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Heb. 13:17). “Them that have the rule over you” is translated from three Greek words which Berry’s interlinear translates as “your leaders.” The main Greek word in the phrase (ἡγουμένοις) means to be out front. But how can the leaders be out front if the congregation is scattered? Also, how can the overseers, or rulers of the local congregation, watch after the souls under their charge if the members are scattered hither, thither, and yon?
This does not mean that it is wrong for members to take vacations, to care for sick loved ones in other places, or to have to be out of town due to work obligations. But if we are in town or can get back to our home congregation, we should try our very best to make it to the services where our membership is.
The local church has the duty to preach the gospel (I Tim. 3:15; I Thess 1:8). It needs to have the very best Bible classes possible in order that all will be edified (Eph. 4:11-16; Acts 20:32). As the local church preaches the gospel, it needs to remember the poor (Gal. 2:9-10; 6:10; James 1:27). If one brother has done another brother wrong and the former refuses to repent, ultimately the local church must discipline the impenitent brother (Matt. 18:15-17). How can the local church rebuke the brother if the members are constantly going elsewhere?
If I expect the local church to help me, why should not the local church expect my loyalty to it? Do I owe something to every member of that congregation? Does the local church have the right to expect my faithful attendance to all the services (Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25)? If the church is going to accomplish the work it has promised to do, does it have the right to expect my financial support? If I go away for a weekend, do I leave my contribution? I owe my local congregation my financial support (I Cor. 16:1-2) for it is counting on me. Would I pay someone else’s bills before I paid my own? Charity begins at home. One may leave a token contribution elsewhere, but his duty first is to his home congregation. The elders plan the work of the church based upon the contributions. But if I am not giving regularly to my home congregation, it cannot count on my financial support.
I owe my home congregation my prayers (Acts 2:42). Do I pray for each member (Acts 12:5)? Do I pray for the sick (James 5:16)? Do I pray for the shepherds of the local congregation? Do I pray for the preacher and the works we support?
If the church is going to grow spiritually and in numbers, each member must love and be loyal to the home congregation. Let each of us do his part to make this congregation the very best that it can be in accordance to God’s will.