Articles
CHRISTIANITY IS CONGREGATIONAL
Christianity is congregational. We serve and glorify God through, as a member of, the church (the body of Christ). It is not enough just to be able to say that I am a Christian, a baptized believer. There are two vital components mentioned in the New Testament—the Christian and the church. The two are inseparable, one in the same. The saved are the church. We Christians, as the church, are Christ’s spiritual body. “And He (Christ) is the head of the body, the church.” (Col. 1:18)
Writing to the local church, or congregation, at Ephesus, Paul said, “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up unto Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph. 4:15-16) Now, realize that Paul is not talking about the universal church all over the world, but about the local congregation there at Ephesus. Then, read these verses again and let them sink in. Of course, what he says to the local church or congregation at Ephesus, applies to all other congregations of the church. It is true that the local church has a shared responsibility.
Look at all the letters in the New Testament written to the different churches, or congregations. But it goes without saying; the local church cannot meet its shared responsibility without the individual members all supporting and doing their part. Again, the church “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” So simple!
In His infinite wisdom God has designed the church so that each congregation shall have Elders who are to watch on behalf of each member's’ soul (Hebrews 13:17), to have a faith worthy of emulation (Heb. 13:7), to oversee, feed, and be shepherds of the flock (Acts 20:28), and to “hold firmly to the message as it has been taught, so that they encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." (Titus 1:9) It is also God's’ design that each congregation should have Deacons, special servants of the church. (I Tim. 3) The word "Deacon" means “servant.”
Paul said to the congregation at Rome: “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Rom. 12:5) The same was said of the congregation in Corinth. (I Cor. 12) We are many members, yet we form one body.
We all have “gifts” (talents) to be used, service to perform, ministries to fulfill. Not all have the same “gift,” or “gifts.” Not all have the same function in the spiritual body, just as all members of the physical body do not have the same function. (1Cor. 12:12-27) “As each one has received a gift, minister it to each other, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Pt. 4:10) This whole process is enhanced and motivated by “loving one another” and being “zealous of good works.”
In light of what the New Testament teaches, there is not to be a “floating member.” This describes one with no real connection with a local church. According to God's design, each Christian is to be an active, current member of a local congregation, where one is available, to be under the oversight of Elders and in close fellowship and work with other Christians.
It is difficult to cover such a broad subject in one short article. It must become apparent to all that Christianity really is congregational. The secret for each of us is not to be content to just fill a space, but rather to fill a place and be found engaging in it.
